Sextant has started talking to airlines about retrofitting its colour liquid crystal displays (LCDs) to all Airbus types.
The new generation of active-matrix displays will be certified on existing Airbus A330/A340 and A320 family aircraft at the end of 2001. Initially they will be offered as an option on new aircraft, but will be later provided as standard fit. They will be standard on the A340-500/600 and A318 from entry into service of the types in 2002.
Patrick Oszczeda, Sextant's director of commercial air transport avionics, says: "We're dealing with the airlines now to find out the level of interest. The response has been excellent". He says a retrofit will pay for itself in two years by virtue of a five-fold improvement in reliability and the associated maintenance cost savings.
Source: Flight International
