November 2023

MARCH Issue # 14

Jet Cabin Freshbook LLC - A Jet Media company

All rights reserved

All rights reserved - JetCabin Freshbook Magazine, a Jet Media Company

Issue 14 / March, 2024

F E A T U R E S

1 Airborne Cafe - Thomas Chatfield - Making it Yours / Refurbishing Pre-Owned Aircraft

7 JetZign Feature - Autumn Elizabeth Duntz showcases her latest Bombardier Project

11 COVER STORY - Welcome To My World /JP Magnano & his Miami based 3D Viz

18 CONDUIT - (Department) Suppliers Weigh In On Project Efficiency

26 Glancy Fawcett - The Fanciful World Of Cabin Amenities

31 Yachtspace - 351 ft. Lana by Benetti

39 Hard Surfaces - Putting The Easy Back Into Hard!

FEATURE ARTICLES

This issue of Freshbook Magazine covers March and April - and in addition to celebrating spring in the northern hemisphere, it also marks a very interesting point in aviation history. From 31 March to 10 April, in 1936 the infamous giant Airship, L.Z.129, “Hindenberg” entered itself into the history books, not by ending it's legacy in a fireball at a US aerodrome - but by making its first trans-Atlantic flight. A special correspondent for Newness Practical Mechanics filed his story shortly following the legendary crossing from Friedrichshafen, Germany and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - and return. Telegraphed by Wireless, his opening day log entry on board the enormous vessel, began like this:

The day had broken when the Hindenburg started on her first Atlantic crossing. We rose easily from the aerodrome at Friedrichshafen and soon after passing Cologne, we reached Holland and made for Tilburg and Rotterdam. Here we encountered fog, and for about an hour we couldn't see the face of the earth. In the Channel the echo-sounder shrieked raucously. After lunch we entered the smoking saloon which can be entered at any time, but left only by special permission of the Steward, who sailed ten years on the Resolute. It is his personal responsibility that no one leaves the smoking room with a burning cigar or cigarette. An electric lighter is at hand. Matches and other lighters are prohibited on board the Hindenburg.

As darkness overtook us the lights were suddenly switched on. Over the much feared Bay of Biscay we were met by rain swirls and the head wind whistled in the fuselage. The searchlight sprang to life and by its aid we could see the restless waves below. But in the bright and decorated lounge , we were oblivious to any threatenings from air or water. From time to time, however, we were made aware of outside turmoil by the thin shrieking of steamship sirens as we passed over battling vessels. The wind rose to an alarming degree and around us a storm raged, yet Hindenburg forged ahead without deflection from the true course, nor did she pitch or roll. Indeed, she seemed oblivious to the anger of the elements, yet in the searchlight’s path we sometimes caught glimpses of vessels being tossed about like corks and smothered time and again in a welter of green water and foam.

Follow the rest of the Hindenburg Rio narrative.

Words From The Editor

Rick Roseman -

Publisher / Editor

From The Editor

First Visit? JCF Magazine is about Jet Interiors; the designers that design them, the centers that build them and above all, the cabin suppliers - worldwide, that ultimately make it all possible.

If your company belongs to one of these groups, let yourself subscribe to something worthwhile for a change. Stay fresh, participate and grow.

3 INSTALLMENT

Challenger 606: Martin Kemp Design

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Making It

Yours

Refurbishing pre-owned aircrafts: the swift, stylish route to your perfect private jet

he most exciting point in the purchase of a pre-owned jet is making the pre-owned part disappear. As Thomas Chatfield explains in this installment of Airborne Cafe, it's the fun part! Sure the aircraft has to check out and meet an entire set of qualifications for your buy - but once that's satisfied, it's all about the cabin! Get rid of the old and bring on the new. Out with the worn upholstery and in with the tailored new quilted seat leathers and the slick new side ledges, the updated lighting - and all the rest. When it's done, it might as well be a brand spanking new jet with one special little bonus: You get the added satisfaction of having seeing the 'before' . . . and there's nothing like that contrast to sweeten the experience!

Follow the rest of this article

This is the third installment of Airborne Cafe. We are proud to embark on this ongoing series of thoughts, extollings and stories from one of the premier figures in our industry. In each issue Thomas Chatfield will offer us thought provoking articles like the one above - each of them relevant and insightful from the perspective of private aviation. Simply hit the link at right to finish the article and while you're there, learn more about Camber Aviation Management and the importance of their work

Thomas Chatfield - Executive Contributor & CEO

Camber Aviation Management

Embracing a pre-owned jet and tailoring it to your exact needs isn’t just a smart financial decision—it’s a fast track to luxury and personalization on your terms.

B U S I N E S S J E T & V I P I N T E R I O R I N N O V A T I O N S U M M I T

Montreal / September 10-12, 2024

LEARN MORE

rom a design standpoint, I like to think of it this way. The cabin structure itself is the easel upon which everything else rests - and the hard finishes are the canvas upon which you can then design the rest of the space. Fixed elements like floors, valances, dados, bulkheads and the like are part of the structure. We clad them in beautiful, evocative finishes but they don’t move or directly interact with passengers in the way that softgoods do. But if we try to imagine a jet interior with nothing but soft finishes, I’m sure we can all agree, it would be pretty boring and lifeless. Hard surfaces are to the modern jet interior what a good piece of grass-fed beef is to a soft squishy hamburger bun. One without the other is pointless and unappealing.

Back at the beginning or private aviation, the aircraft interior designer’s arsenal basically consisted of wood veneers and plated metal when it came to hard surfaces. But in recent decades, there has been an explosion of new materials that provide vastly more exciting options; materials that provide stimulating visual relief from carpets, leathers and woods; alternatives that can enliven surfaces and vastly improve the final aesthetic. In this article, we’re going to explore some of the available options for today’s aviation designers and centers in creating award-winning cabin interiors.

F

Article by:

Matthew Brenner

Special Contributor

Below are ten companies that offer great solution for hard surfaces within aircraft cabins. Some offer wood flooring solutions. Others specialize in countersurfaces and still others offer fully certified custom 3-dimensional surfaces for walls, bulkheads, sidewalls and more. Each of the companies listed have well established product lines - most of them with global reputations. In either case, all the listed companies are good to keep top of mine as your specing out your next project.

To visit each company's website, simply CLICK THE IMAGE or refer to the links at the end of this article

Patented Lamination Technology

Gentex recently acquired a unique, chemically strengthened, thin-glass laminate technology suitable for in-cabin applications. Gentex is bringing this lamination technology and proprietary production techniques in-house to develop a comprehensive collection of glass, mirrors, and wood veneer for the aerospace industry.

This technology enables lamination of almost any material on glass or combine a variety of materials and finishes into a single product. It’s durable, lightweight, and a hygienic alternative to existing materials.

600 N. Centennial St., Zeeland, MI 49464

616.772.1800

No other film and sheet producer offers calendering, extrusion, and press lamination under one roof. These unmatched production technologies create tailored solutions to meet the needs of a specific application. Materials produced using more than one of these processes can be imparted in-line or off-line with low minimums to create an unlimited selection of ultra-high performance sheet products impossible to achieve using any single production process.

For quality assurance, Boltaron technicians utilize the latest testing

technology to produce comprehensive flammability, smoke, and heat release results directly on site. Boltaron materials are also regularly

batch tested at an independent laboratory for consistent compliance.

UNPARALLELED MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES

Aerospace in North America - Chris Corona

+1 607 348 4446

MOTHER OF PEARL LIKE IT WAS NEVER AVAILABLE BEFORE

Sustainably sourced from both Freshwater and Saltwater pearl, our mosaics are available in a series of stunning colours, styles and patterns. Siminetti’s mosaic tiles are suitable for aircraft interior cabins, internal spaces and for wet areas, feature walls and virtually any detail surface.

DECORATIVE PANELS

Smooth to the touch and without the need for grouting,
Siminetti Wall Panels are the height of luxury surface technology and the next generation of our stunning Mother of Pearl finishes.

PEARL VENEERS

Our natural shell veneers are light, flexible, versatile, and uniquely formed by the world’s oceans. Perfect for use as inlays in furniture, handles, jewellery, fashion and architecture worldwide

Siminetti – LONDON
Third Floor, Central Dome
Design Centre Chelsea Harbour
London SW10 0XE

london@siminetti.com Tel: +44 207 352 4926

LIPKINS has produced over 2,000 countertops for leading aircraft manufacturers and completion centers since our humble beginnings in 1971. Our precision tiled stone veneer known as Cloudstone only weighs approximately one pound per square foot yet appears as solid stone.

The secret of the weight savings and flexibility of Cloudstone lies in our unique process. Our surfaces are comprised of separate precision fit stone tiles bonded to a substrate and then finished as one uniform surface. Our artisans carefully create a natural looking design pattern by utilizing the available color and grain in the stone. Upon completion, the seams are nearly invisible and the surface is as smooth as the original slab. Our unique process allows us to make the stone extremely thin, yet durable. Furthermore, this technique enables the entire counter top to flex along the seam lines without cracking.

US BASED LEADER IN AIRCRAFT

STONE VENEER

LIPKINS. 855A Conklin Street
Farmingdale, New York USA

(631) 249-8866
inquiry@lipkins.com

f/list ®’s real wood flooring is an innovative alternative to the commonly used carpet in aircraft cabins. the semi-gloss f/list ®wood flooring can be installed in any aircraft, and is available with a customized tiling concept in a wide range of wood veneers according to REACh regulation (Eg 1907/2006). it meets all applicable certification requirements, such as flammability and slip resistance. Additionally, a very stringent qualification program ensures that f/list ® wood flooring exceeds the most demanding customer expectations. Product characteristics □ Real wood veneer including a state of the art top coat □ top coat is optimized to meet high scratch, abrasion and slip resistance requirements □ thickness of wood floor panel: ~ 9.5 mm [0.374"] (not including spacer and connection to aircraft floor panel) □ weight of wood floor panel: ~ 7.5 kg/m² [1.53 lbs./ft.² ] *) □ maximum panel size: 2.40 m x 1.20 m [7,9 ft. x3,9 ft.] □ Customization options: starburst, fishbone, marquetry, inlays etc. □ tiles connected using a specifically developed fastening system *)

REAL WOOD FLOORING BY AVIATION LEGEND

"HELLO@f-list.at" <HELLO@F-LIST.AT>

Aalto specializes in creating one-of-a-kind marble inlay surfaces for distinctive spaces. Using our extensive archive of marble designs or your reference as a starting point, we work with you to create your own timeless aesthetic.

Our collections of waterjet mosaics range from striking geometrics to richly embellished works of decorative marble inlay. Each collection of ornate marble floor designs is customized to the architecture and the interior design of the unique space. Our team of designers works with you to ensure that our marble inlay, whether for the floor, wall, or ceiling, is in keeping with your interior or exterior project.

An intricately crafted custom marble inlay flooring design is an exquisite decor element that can make your home or property to feel like a timeless work of art. At Aalto, our team of innovative flooring inlay designers creates distinctive, custom marble mosaics and inlays for homes and businesses. With our experience and thorough understanding of the most elegant materials and old-world, European mosaic designs, we can transform your space while highlighting your unique individuality.

PHONE: 319-318-6361

304 N 4th Street
Fairfield, IA 52556
contact@aaltomarbleinlay.com

Creativity in Design

Kalogridis International began developing Deconel in 2003. Deconel’s patented 3D decorative surface coverings are non-metallic and heat and flame resistant and provide designers a new level of personal expression and creativity in design while simultaneously delivering superior performance and technical innovation. Deconel surface coverings are applied to bulkheads, ceiling and wall panels, partitions, galley structures, and for use in making large cabinet and cabin stowage compartments of aircrafts, boats, and trains and in homes, restaurants, hotels and hospitality centers.

Deconel is a completely certified product designed expressly for aviation interior applications. Virtually anything can be created to your specifications. Deconel is one of the pioneers in certified 3 dimensional wall surfaces for aircraft

DECONEL by Kalogridis

Email: deconel@kalogridis.com

STYLLOS LIQUID METAL DESIGNS

By an artist’s hand, STYLLOS® is created for each project to provide a unique and individual artistic surface. The combination of a special technique and the use of fine metals results in one of a kind textured surfaces, designed to add interest to any interior. Offered in glossy and matte finishes, STYLLOS® can be applied to any substrate or geometry. Our STYLLOS® finish can range from bold 3D forms to subtle veneer highlights. With our proprietary technique, we can also create ornate inlays into surfaces that would otherwise require intricate machining and traditional cabinetry techniques.

Styllos bt Tehchno Aerospace has a virtually endless range of possibilities for designers, OEMs and centers when it comes to certified decorative hard surfaces insite the cabin.

Contact: Paul Zappia - Paul.Zappia@technoaerospace.com

For further information on any of the companies listed above, either click the image within the listing or refer to the links below.

I N F O R M E D

viewporn@interiorvilla1

P R I V A T E J E T I N T E R I O R S C A P E

After 37 years nestled in the heart of Barnes, Winch Design is moving down river this summer, signalling the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the business

Learn more . . .

The next chapter begins for Winch Design

"The top DESIGN studios around the world are absolutely the ones that inform the industry and set the trends."

Jetzign is where we highlight the very latest from the top designers and studios. Whether it be the iconic independents or the great design departments within the world's top completion centers, this is where you will find their latest works - and always with an emphasis on the near-term future of cabin design

Image courtesy of Sotto Studios

This entry of Jetzign foucuses on the talented young designer Autumn Elizabeth Duntz. Beginning her career with a successful tenure at Gulfstream Aerospace, she has now risen to the forefront of the independent design scene having completed a number of projects. Here we take a look at her latest, a freshly completed Bombardier C1300 20239.

L O N D O N

A U T U M N E L I Z A B E T H D U N T Z

My clients on this aircraft fly in jeans. Their rock n' rollers but the're rock n' rollers that want to fly in sumptuous beautiful white leather seats. No problem. In today's world, we can specify high protectant white leathers that avoid dye transfer but do nothing to detract from the leather's super supple hand.

CONTRAST

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A STUDY IN

Autumn Elizabeth's career as an aviation interior designer and refurbishment expert, began at Gulfstream Aerospace after graduation from Florida State University with a degree in interior design. Aviation design had always fascinated her because, in her words...

"I love the extra level of problem-solving required to deal with the small spaces and aviation regulations unique to aircraft interiors."

During Autumn's time at Gulfstream, she excelled through varying roles in the sales and design process. This allowed her to take a holistic approach when designing and thereby provide better recommendations to her customers, something she has carried into her current career path as an independent.

After nearly a decade of helping customers transform their aircrafts, Autumn creates new looks as sweeping as a completely redesigned interiors and as subtle as a single reupholstered divan. Whatever the scope of the project, her customers receive the best solutions to fit their needs.

Autumn strives to bridge the gap between designs suited for a home and those that take flight, and guide her customers in navigating all the challenges of designing their dream aircraft.

The Client:

First-time luxury aircraft owners seeking a rock and roll chic and modern interior for entertaining.

Storytelling:

Highlight the client’s love of hosting and rock and roll sentiments that inspired their first luxury aircraft interiors by thoughtfully weaving in sheepskin and metallic detailing, extended countertops for a hosting-friendly aircraft environment and durable fabrics.

Interesting Project Facts:

The clients typically fly in jeans which resulted in Autumn Elizabeth seeking high protectant white leather seats to avoid dye transfer.
The clients were very involved in the finishes process and worked closely with Autumn Elizabeth for the divan, resulting in a custom two-toned sheepskin pillow and specified a purple maintenance runner to be put down to protect the carpet when the plane wasn’t in use.
The aircrafts lavatory and galley countertops incorporate many extensions and finishing touches to incorporate added spacing for a aircraft hosting-friendly look and feel.

"I BELIEVE YOU DESERVE THE AIRCRAFT

OF YOUR DREAMS"

EACH PROJECT IS AN EXCITING CHALLENGE

With many years of experience in the field of luxury interior & architectural design (hotels & resorts, residential, yachts, private aircraft, product design...) , which has culminated in developping a deep understanding of clients’ requirements. It’s imperative that every client journey, from concept to completion, is executed seamlessly, within deadline and on budget.

I work tirelessly to ensure that a superior result is achieved on each project.

Autumn Elizabeth Design, LLC.

+1 912 226 2619

autumn@autumnelizabethdesign.com

L E A R N. M O R E

C O V E R S T O R Y

hen referring to his career, JP Magnano prefers to call it his trajectory and by the end of this article you will understand why.

I have known JP for a long time and he’s on a very short list of business colleagues I both intrinsically trust and admire. But when I pitched the idea of this article, he insisted that we skip over all the stuff about 'best this,' 'most accomplished that.' "If I do the article” he says, “I want your readers to understand what we do for our clients . . . not our tangible deliverables, but what we actually DO for them. We have an approach,” he says, “that goes beyond delivering photo-realistic renderings and animations.”

Interview & Article by:

Rick W. Roseman

W

And so, this seemed like the ideal place to begin. “Alright” I said, “why don’t we start by having you explain what that means and why you believe it’s what sets 3D Viz apart from other visualization studios?”

“It is not a secret, and it’s not a prescribed methodology. It has to do with my training as a designer, and how all good designers look well beyond their deliverables. You must begin with an understanding of where you want to go – or in our case, where our clients want to go, their end game, what they want to achieve. We never start a project without a keen understanding of their overall objectives, helping design a strategy to get there. At the end of the day, we want to help our clients succeed with their customers at the very highest level and that generally means providing more than they ask for.”

“I get it. But in more definitive terms, what does that involve?”

“It entails collaborating with the customer, be it a designer, an OEM or any other entity. It means joining their team and remaining there from beginning to end. It makes a huge difference. In fact, it is THE difference. I think that often, other rendering studios focus more on fees, up-selling, written requirements, etc. My approach has always been different. First, I love aviation! I have been fascinated with aircraft since I was a kid. I did not get into this by chance. It was either this or, you know, opening a dry-cleaning business. (He laughs). I paired my education in Industrial Design with my love of aircraft. My company brings to the table a passion for aviation, as well as a lot of creativity. Our team is made up of designers and 3D artists, and our hub has always been in Miami, a vibrant city that constantly fuels our creativity. 3D Viz has been here since its inception in 2002. We’re not just a PO BOX, we’re actually here as part of the multi-cultural landscape.”

We actually enjoy what we’re doing and leverage our wealth of experience from thousands of other projects to help make each new one successful.

“Can you tell us more about that? Describe what becoming a team member involves during one of your projects?”

“Sure. So, if it’s Piper Aircraft, one of our longstanding clients, we all get together, and ask this question: How can we do this in the best possible way? In other words, I encourage them and all clients not to simply lay out a brief or a storyboard and then ask us to go to work. For every project, we want to look at it from the target audience’s point of view and create an emotional connection with THEM. This casts the entire project into a more creative realm. It creates excitement among everyone involved. And since we have decades of experience in the field, I am often able to guide that creativity to a place that is vastly more compelling than stale written requirements. In that sense, we become a team member for the project from the very outset and not just as ‘the rendering guys.’

“So, our approach is not ‘give me the money and I'll give you a photo-realistic rendering or animation.’ It’s ‘let's work together because we're passionate about this.’ And when you work with people that are passionate about something, the result will always be amazing.” We actually enjoy what we’re doing and leverage our wealth of experience from thousands of other projects to help make each new one successful. And it works! It always leaves me with a great deal of satisfaction, and our clients often tell us that our involvement exceeded their expectations.”

Often, we have multiple projects running concurrently and in supporting those projects early on, we had used a few other 3D artists and I really wasn’t happy with the final outcomes. JP and I met in 2008, while developing a concept on a large yacht called Blind Date. It was quite a revelation for me to see the technology and skillsets at JP’s disposal in producing such amazing visuals, bringing our designs to life in a way that no one ever had.

What 3D Viz brings to the table, first and foremost, is convenience. We have the peace of mind and confidence that our visualization package is being conducted at a very high-level and independent of the day-to-day within our office. They also bring a set of skills that is hard to replicate in-house. When you're dealing with a company that produces renderings all day long, there’s just no way we could maintain that kind of quality level internally.

What I also specifically like about 3D Viz is that JP himself is very in tune to design and aesthetics. His fingers are on the pulse of exceptional, state-of-the-art presentations. Their work almost always strikes an emotional chord with our customers – and that’s precisely what you need to sell a design.

A few years ago, we had designed everything in a fully custom yacht, including all the faucet sets, etc. It was very special, and I wanted it presented in the best possible way. JP immediately picked up on that and ran with it. He utilized his original rendering model and created an emotive video. I met with the owners in Switzerland and as part of that meeting, it came time to present the plumbing package. I unveiled the animation, and when I did, the owners were absolutely thrilled. They were not only happy with the design but in the unique way we had presented it to them.

For more information,visit: patrickknowlesdesigns.com

CUSTOMER

Patrick Knowles

Check out an example of this collaboration

Meet the exceedingly talented core modeling team at 3D Viz.

From left to right: Gretel Bodenbender, Gonzalo Zanoni, Ariel Cancio

“We have talked before about some of the crazy things you have observed over the years. Can you tell us a few stories over your career that illustrate this or in some ways were just interesting, off beat or funny?”

“Well, that’s a pretty deep well!” (JP laughs)

“I will start with an old one. Once, we were contracted to produce a rendering package on a 767-200 VVIP. When the principals looked at the renderings and technical drawings, they pointed at a large articulating hi-low table in the main cabin and wanted to know its cost. The completion executive scratched his head for a minute and then estimated its cost at $80,000.

They said it was crazy and ordered it removed from the spec and the renderings. The entire team tried to explain why it was functionally desirable in terms of flight experience, but the client stood by their decision. We removed it from the renderings, they signed off at CDR and the giant hole in the room remained right up until finally delivery. On the heels of their first flight – with their immediate family of five and three guests— the owner informed the center that there was no informal dining or places to put their drinks in the main cabin, and that they needed a large table precisely where they had banished the original. Needless to say, to have the table re-added post-completion cost the customer well more than the original $80,000.”

“Ouch! Are there more you can share?”

“A few years later, we were contracted for a series of renderings on a new BBJ belonging to a Hollywood director. In a couple of the renderings, we had lit the room with a soft morning light streaming in and had set the main dining table for breakfast. The principal took one look at the renderings and said that we needed to remove the orange juice from the rendering because, and I am quoting, it’s not my style.”

Continued below...

CUSTOMER

Back in 2010, I was with Gore Design & Completions in San Antonio. It’s worth noting that we did have in-house capabilities, but the speed just wasn’t there. We routinely had multiple projects running concurrently, so we needed a bigger pipeline in order to keep up. That’s where JP and his team stepped in. They were infinitely faster accomplishing in a matter of weeks what our in-house team took months to complete. That made 3D Viz a very valuable and welcome asset.

An instance that stands out from that time was B-787 Dreamliner concept design. At the time, no one had completed a VVIP 787, and we wanted to try and appeal to that market. Because it was only a concept, we came up with a pretty wild interior theme and details. As I look back, JP I think was a little concerned about having pushed the design too far, but he stated his concerns in very respectful, diplomatic terms – in ways that added value and elevated the concept. His persistent and very engaged collaboration ultimately produced a beautiful set of visuals. The project also included an animation. They created it in a very evocative way wherein the transitions from room to room were spectacular and alluring.

In terms of my more recent tenure here at Gulfstream, we worked with JP on a “Next Generation Air Travel Across The Globe” initiative. This is a proprietary project that I’m prohibited from discussing in detail, but it is being developed for our customers – a way of taking them on a visual flight experience around the world. JP and his team produced a lot of the conceptual work and will likely do more as the project progresses.

I would also add that JP has a great eye for cinematography. He works with your team from an artist’s perspective. But beyond his technical expertise, it is his demeanor and professionalism that really completes the experience. If criticism is offered, he takes it in stride and simply makes whatever adjustments are necessary. But probably the most noticeable asset in working with 3D Viz is that - consistently - you get more than you ask for. 3D Viz will take your basic requirements and use their skill and talents to enhance the project – always bringing it to a level beyond what you envisioned.

Having JP involved is like having another designer on our staff rather than an outside rendering consultant, like having a creative director transforming our ideas into visuals. He’s free and open, very easy to work with but always remains committed to his convictions.”

For more information,visit: gulfstream.com

Tim O'Hara

Check out an example of this collaboration

BBJ Max Private Jet Main Cabin Interior - Boeing Vista Window / Sunset / RRAD Design

Courtesy: Citadel Completions

“C’mon, seriously!?”

“Quite. He was not joking and had his people followed up with us to make sure it was not forgotten in the revision round.”

“JP, I understand you are a boating enthusiast as well. I assume Miami is a good place to indulge that passion. Does it also mean you work for yacht designers and/or shipyards as well?”

“Yes, to both questions. I do have a boat. My son, my partner and friends regularly use it for trips over to Bimini or local destinations for weekends or longer when time affords. And yes, 3D Viz certainly gets involved in yachts because the client base is very similar. As a matter of fact, one of our oldest clients, Patrick Knowles, is a world-renowned yacht designer. We have done so many amazing projects together. And, as a boater myself, I can bring a unique perspective to the customers of this industry. It´s the understanding of how boat owners see themselves on their boat or yacht. It´s that emotional connection that makes a project successful.

Continued below...

Follow this article

CUSTOMER

Melanie Coppola

In March of 2022 I started working with JP on the interior and exterior configurator project for four different models of our aircraft. The process itself was exciting, but the end product was phenomenal.

At Piper, even though we are an OEM and we manufacture a lot of aircraft, we're still a small company and our marketing team is also small. So, for us, our key vendors are an extension of us in a way. 3D Viz has become an integral part of our team on each project. JP and his team have always taken that very literally. To put a finer point on that, recently we had a big project launch and we worked with JP to create the renderings. It was an aircraft that we were still not fully ready to unveil. 3D Viz pulled it all together, rendering images, videos, an exterior configurator for each aircraft and no matter what else we needed. We were able to just say ‘hey, here's a schematic of what we want this to look like’ and he was (and is) always able to just go and make it happen. And considering the complexity, they worked very quickly, never complaining. They just wanted to be there for us and help us in whatever way we needed - which was fabulous!"

When the project launch came up and we needed to find a video and seam all those images together, JP and his team stepped up yet again. They were like, ‘hey, just tell us what you need. Let's have a meeting. Send us pictures and examples and we'll make it happen.’ And once again, that’s precisely what they did. All the renderings they did this year, we're using in our brochures. They're included in our launch video, website, press kit and pretty much integrated with everything we show or present related to the new product.

For more information visit: piper.com

Check out an example of this collaboration

JP, clearly your customers have a lot to say about you and the unique approach you have in fulfilling the needs of your customers. Inserting yourself as a team member seems to be a recurring theme in these customer testimonials - and clearly it works!

I can’t thank you enough for your time sitting down with me. It is always a pleasure and I now see why you prefer to think of all this professional history as a ‘trajectory’ rather than merely a career. That word is certainly a better fit and clearly your trajectories continue to take you in many directions.

For further reference on each of the three customer segments above, check out the animations / configurators produced by JP and his team below:

www.3dviz.com

F E A T U R E D V I D E O

Jet Aviation takes us on a guided tour - from concept to completion, rollout and delivery to its customer

E X P E R I E N C E T H E U L T I M A T E. I N L U X U R Y P R I V A T E J E T T R A V E L

L E A R N. M O R E

When you open the door to the Lou Hansell Bespoke studio, the possibilities begin. Our artisans and designers have selected a palette of exquisite materials, with 51 shades of ltalian leathers, five metal and inner trim pairings, and personalization options. Driven by their boundless creativity, they combine their talents and craftsmanship to create pieces you’ll cherish forever.

louhansell.com

Co-produced by: Melissa Tokoriyama

& Rick Roseman

One of our most enduring desires since our very first issue, has been to seek out a way of engaging the top Design Studios, Completion Centers and the global Cabin Supplier community in a meaningful ongoing dialogue. Why is that important? Because neither would exist without the other. Designers and Centers rely on cabin supplier groups to develop and ultimately manufacture the latest and greatest new products that will ensure their project's success. And, similarly the world's Cabin Supplier Groups look to the the Design community for the latest trends, to set a course for new innovations and to guide them in refining their own existing product / service lines.

In small measure, this happens organically at aviation conventions and other industry forums. But as a trade publication read by all three groups, we've long sought to establish our own forum, one that occurs regularly, here in each issue of our magazine - a place where all three groups can check in regularly and glean insights that can benefit their businesses and keep the innovations churning.

We established CONDUIT to pose a single question to the world's top industry professionals and then post their answers here in each issue. Our hope is that these answers will provide benefit to companies on all sides.

With that in mind, BELOW is our question for the March installment of CONDUIT. This one comes from the SUPPLIER community and is directed to the Completion Centers and Designers they support. Below that are the responding companies and their answers, for which we are grateful.

Q

As a Cabin Supplier Group, in terms of vendor interface, what might your message be to the overall design and completion center community that specify and purchase your goods? That is to say, are there suggestions you might offer toward improving processes, tightening the relationships or adopting more unified practices that could help streamline the arc, increase predictability and ensure better outcomes?

Lean on your community of partners early and often. In our world of soft goods and interior amenities, function is just as important as beauty. With so many options available to choose from, we find that it’s difficult for our designer clients to weed out the high maintenance pretty selection so they can choose the long lasting gorgeous one.

We love it when our clients pull us in early on their projects. That way we can advise them on the ideal pillow fabric - for example, a beautiful mohair or cashmere functions much better than a cotton velvet over time. Or we source the glassware that truly fits the inserts on the aircraft. Our involvement early makes for a more smooth delivery down the road.

Learn more about Katharine Leonard and SOHE below

sohestudio.com

Ms. Katharine Leonard - CEO

My thoughts on the question are that we need more collaboration from those designing aircraft interiors. Think of the cabin floor to floor as a canvas. How can companies who make interior products not just create functional products but ones that enhance the cabin aesthetics? Bring us your ideas and challenge the status quo. We want to create products to fulfill a market need, not products looking for a market. There is a significant distinction in the two approaches. We need that input and collaboration in fulfilling the clear and present needs of the market.

Learn more about Mario Ceste and ATG below:

atgshades.com

Mario Ceste -

Chief Executive Officer

At Green Hides one of our core values is that communication is the 'key' to success. This not only applies internally but also externally with our valued customers. I would say the more communication and information we receive about a given project, the better it enables us to meet critical project dates and also offer additional solutions should the project change in quantity, article and scheduling. As I said, communication is the key to success. This has proven time and again in the servicing of our customers.

Learn more about Keith Hill and Green Hides below:

greenhides.com

Keith Hill -

Vice President

As a high-end interior decorative product supplier, I find that closer collaboration with both designers and completion centers is crucial. Streamlined communication through dedicated account managers ensures clarity, minimizes errors, and accelerates project timelines. Ultimately, these stronger partnerships ensure our exquisite products not only reach the dock sooner, but are seamlessly integrated into their final cabin environments, exceeding client expectations and helping our customers to be seen as the heroes they deserve to be. Our client partnerships and project history has proven this to be true and effective time and time again.

And so with each project, we merely refine the process so that the customer experience gets better and more efficient each go round. It serves literally everyone involved when communications and clarity reside at a high level - everyone on the same page.

Learn more about Robin Butler and OmnAvia Interiors below:

omnaviainteriors.com

Robin Butler-

Managing Partner

The primary function comes down to a relationship between the design engineer, the certification specialist (FAA-DER) and the product supplier.

To begin with, items being created must meet the original designer’s requirements for form, fit and function. What must also be thought of is the fact that the item, no matter what it may be, needs to be able to be certified.

If a supplier wishes to shorten the timeline for decision making of the design engineer in order to utilize the product sooner, make sure that the 3rd side of the triangle, [the certification specialist], is already clearly on board with its intended use.

Too many times the product that is presented to the designer at, let’s say a trade show, has never been properly presented to pass the certification's entity’s requirements. If a product can be shown to meet those standards from the start, a large swath of time is eliminated. This will also allow the deign engineer to shorten his research efforts for items that may fit his needs, only to find out in the end that it cannot be used.

CONDUIT is correct. That's what it is and clear efficient communication is the key to unlocking it - and the key to ensuring the project goes smoothly, free of redundant exercises that can slow things to a crawl and compromise success.

Learn more about Leonard (Lenny) Olson and FJ Aero below:

www.fjaero.com

Leonard G. Olson-

Chief Executive Officer

The question is one we pose to ourselves often, but the answer for us consistency holds true. It is vitally important to be included on the front end of a program, during the planning and specification stages, so that all of the “nuisance” items are disclosed (i.e. lead times to develop new colors/textures, material challenges/limitations, part availability, etc).

Our experience is to make sure the project principals are educated on any challenges or limitations of the services that we bring to a program. This ensures that expectations are met up on the frontend and therefore project timelines are respected. We all know how hard it is to recover from issues that surface at a critical moment in the program, and it is more frustrating when it could have been avoided during project planning.

This is the key to our success at Signature and it translates to the success of our customers.

Learn more about Zane Leake and Signature's process methodologies at:

signatureplating.com

Zane Leake -

Vice President / Sales

The question gets at the heart of out internal process. Making sure that projects run smoothly is a constant challenge but it really boils down to just a few key process mandates, things that have proven succesful for us and our clients for over decades of experience.

As a for instance, our program management, engineering, and quality teams take the lead and apply the following metrics to all our programs;

First and foremost is Collaboration and Communication:

* Establish clear lines of communication between our company and the aircraft completion centers. This includes designated points of contact for inquiries, feedback, and support throughout the design and implementation phases.

* Regular meetings or check-ins to discuss project progress, address any challenges, and ensure alignment on expectations.

* Encourage an open dialogue to exchange ideas, preferences, and requirements, facilitating a better understanding of each other's needs.

Next is Innovation and Customization:

* Offer customizable solutions that cater to the unique preferences and specifications of each aircraft completion center and their clientele. This could involve providing a range of design options, materials, and features to choose from.

* Stay abreast of the latest technological advancements and trends in aerospace cabin design to continuously enhance our product offerings.

* Collaborate with aircraft completion centers to develop bespoke solutions that meet the evolving demands of VIP aircraft interiors, whether it's incorporating cutting-edge materials, advanced lighting systems, or innovative storage solutions.

Third is Efficiency and Streamlining Processes:

* Implement lean and efficient manufacturing processes to minimize lead times and optimize production schedules, ensuring timely delivery of products to aircraft completion centers.

* Explore opportunities for automation and digitization in manufacturing and supply chain operations to improve productivity and reduce costs.

* Work closely with aircraft completion centers to streamline integration processes, providing comprehensive installation guidelines and support to expedite the assembly and installation of our products.

And finally, Quality Assurance and Reliability:

* Maintain rigorous quality control standards to ensure that our products consistently meet or exceed industry regulations and customer expectations.

* Provide comprehensive training and support to aircraft completion center personnel involved in the installation and maintenance of our products, ensuring proper handling and care to maximize longevity and performance.

* Continuously monitor customer feedback and satisfaction levels to identify areas for improvement and address any issues promptly and effectively.

These process mandates continue to earn our success (and our customers) by fostering a collaborative and innovative partnership with aircraft completion centers - embracing efficient processes, and prioritizing quality and reliability,

Learn more about Ed Harris and JBRND's and process methodologies at:

jbrnd.com

Ed Harris -

VP Sales & Marketing

A slow and outdated supplier selection process inhibits OEMs, designers and completions centers from early adoption of leading technologies. Addressing this factor is a pre-requisite to evolving the vendor interface and will help introduce what we call the “trusted partner model”. Greater transparency, better alignment of product roadmaps and brand identity, and a holistic approach to R&D are some of the key factors that will ultimately allow expert suppliers, specialized in their respective fields, to better meet customer needs.

The trusted partner model foregoes the traditional RFP process, which can heavily delay the development of new technologies and also introduces added layers of bureaucracy, instead favoring a co-development approach between customer and properly vetted expert partners. By designing for intent, expert partners create custom solutions aimed at providing a better passenger experience as opposed to developing widgets that meet various requirements or offering COTS products that offer little to no value compared to personalized solutions. The end result is quicker time to market, decreased development costs, and, most importantly, significant improvements to the passenger experience instead of incremental upgrades to legacy products simply marketed as “innovative”.

Learn more about Lee Clark and Rosen's process methodologies at:

rosenaviation.com

Lee Clark -
Senior VP Strategy

Our sincere thanks to the above designers for weighing in on this, our first installment of CONDUIT. Conduit will become a regularly occuring feature within JCF Magazine; a way of fostering ongoing dialogue between the Supplier Community, Completion Centers and the Design Studios that collectively support the advancement of jet cabins interiors, year after year.

As a supplier, if you have responses to any of the above comments, please share them at: editorial@freshbook.aero

I think most people who enjoy French cuisine would agree that expertly prepared Coq au Vin is still one of the enduring favorites – a rich entree that fills the senses. But I’m also confident that almost no one would take pleasure in the delicately baked chicken, were it not for the rich wine/cream reduction that finishes the dish.

It may seem a stretch to draw such a metaphor between VIP cabin amenities, and food. But I think it’s sort of the perfect analogy. Wonderful food is almost always ‘finished’ with something to round out both its presentation and the flavor profile. Profiteroles would be nothing without its dark rich chocolate drizzle…and what would a Salad Niçoise be without its shallot, mustard, thyme infused olive oil dressing?

To me…and I spent much of my own career as a designer, I can’t even imagine delivering a new aircraft to one of my customers without the finishing amenities. Not only do they adorn and compliment all the fine work you’ve done on behalf of your customer, but they deliver the human element. In very much the same way the Profiteroles look completely naked without their chocolate sauce, so too does even the most beautiful and seductive new VIP interior. Don’t believe me? Check some of the websites or Google VVIP aircraft. Then tell me which looks more inviting to you; the ones with nothing in them but the architecture, furniture and lighting…or the ones with a couple of Christofle stem glasses on the table, a vase of flowers on the credenza, or a Hèrmes blanket laid over the divan.

Interview & Write Up:

N I C H O L A S R E I L E Y

Amenities are what make any interior space feel like a home – and aircraft cabins are no exception. After all, it is people that will occupy these sumptuous cabins – and when they do, they bring their own personal influence with them…the accessories, touches and preferences that project their own personas.

Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with Thomas Batty and Emma Spenceley of the preeminent amenities firm, GlancyFawcett. These people and this company have turned the business of cabin amenities into an artform, working with HNW clients around the world. And their business is exactly what we’ve described above – providing the finishing touches for some of the most expensive and remarkable interiors on the planet.

The firm is comprised of two principals, Kevin Glancy having started the business in 1989 and Jonathan Fawcett joining in 1991. But not entirely at once were they Glancy Fawcett. As the story goes, the two worked within the same space as close colleagues and friends for many years – but as separate entities; one focused more on CCF and the other predominately on linens and soft goods. It was only just five years ago that they formally merged to form one company.

“Both men were supplying yachts back in the day, says Mr. Batty, “back when 30 meters was considered big. Now a big build is 100 meters. But the yacht work quickly spawned Aircraft and Residential as well, which are the three primary focuses of our practice today.”

The firm is based in Manchester, England (UK), where the main Showroom is housed - but they have two other locations as well. Dublin, Ireland is the home of their European Logistics Hub. In late 2017, Glancy Fawcett opened a location in Albany, The Bahamas – which also serves the US.

“It was the result of a client at his insistence that many of his friends in the area have yachts, planes and residences that could use their services.” Explains Ms. Spenceley. The decision turned out to be a good one for us.”

I asked what the sort of breakdown was across various project types.

“It's roughly about 50% yachts 30% residential and 20% aircraft” says Mr. Batty, “but it does ebb and flow massively on any given year.”

The breakdown makes sense in general of course because yachts worldwide number higher than VIP aircraft and then of course residences are often a natural outgrowth of the other two. But more specifically, I wanted to know which ‘client types’ they most routinely work with (e.g. designers, owners, etc).

“There is a fairly even mix of both, I would say,” says Mr. Batty. “However, more often than not, owners that turn up at our Showroom will bring their designer along anyway. It’s also a very common situation for us to be closely involved with the owner’s rep, similar to the house manager in a residential project.”

“We've got a lovely client who comes to our Showroom periodically. She has twelve homes, four aircrafts, three yachts… you know, very much at the top end of where we are, right? So, she picks out a plate and her designer said, you already have that.”

He went on to explain that in terms of their client mix, it’s very often intermingled – meaning the people that have yachts, often have aircraft and certainly both groups tend to have multiple residences.

“So for us, the largest sector of our business comes by referral.” Batty explains. “It’s very often the case that when we’re talking to one customer, we’ve already done a project for someone they know, or the person having referred them. This makes for an easier route in establishing the relationship and tends to lead to more referrals.”

“I see that your primary Showroom is in Manchester, but are there other locations as well?”

“Manchester is really our main Showroom” Ms. Spenceley explains. “Although we keep some samples in our Bahamas location, it’s here in Manchester that most clients visit when it’s time to start making selections on a given project.”

“I see, can you give us an idea of the Manchester Showroom in terms of size?”

“Our Manchester Showroom at current is right at 11,000 sq. ft.” Mr. Batty explains. “Our showroom here is hopefully an unrivaled space. We've got an enormous number of samples, in excess of 2,600 plate styles, 1,000 crystal glassware, hundreds of pieces of cutlery, bed and table linen, accessories and more… you know it really is a one stop shop; something you have to see to fully appreciate.”