PPG (Booth 1259) and Gentex will supply electrochromic window shade systems for the passenger-cabin windows of the new Beechcraft King Air 350i.
“The aircraft will be the first in general and business aviation with electrically dimmable window shades as standard equipment, and only the second aircraft program to use the technology developed by PPG and Gentex,” says Tom Clark, general manager, PPG Aerospace.
Electrochromic shades will replace the polarizing shades on the King Air 350i’s cabin windows to enhance passenger comfort, interior aesthetics and the aircraft’s operating efficiency.
“Passengers will be able to control visible light transmittance of a dimmable panel between the inboard dust cover and outboard structural cabin window system. The shades will be adjustable from a bright, clear state to a nearly opaque, dark state, or comfortable intermediate settings in between,” says Clark.
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The PPG-Gentex system includes the electrically dimmable panel and passenger interface control switch. The shades use Gentex’s proprietary electrochromic technology and PPG’s aviation transparency expertise.
“We will produce the electrochromic window shade systems in Zeeland, Michigan, with deliveries to begin in 2009. Each King Air 350i will have 15 electrochromic dimmable window shades,” Clark says.
There is a demonstration model of an electrochromic shade at PPG’s stand and a demonstration in a full-size mockup of the new King Air 350i interior at the Hawker Beechcraft exhibit (Booth 3235).
Source: Flight Daily News
