Page 23 - AAA MAY - JUNE 2013 Online Magazine

FEATURE INTERIOR DESIGN

based MacCarthy Aviation. The company Apart from the functional elements
has built itself an impressive reputation of the interior, the design and layout of
on the strength of its aircraft fit-outs of any aircraft offers a chance for an airline
toilets and galleys. to both differentiate itself and make the
Again, one of those things that doesn’t passenger feel sufficiently comfortable
exactly get much coverage in airlines’ to want to repeat the process. One study
advertisements (“Best sit-down pans in by Professor Dr Peter Vink of TU Delft
the sky” doesn’t seem like a likely tag line) scrutinised over 10,000 passenger trip
but if any airline gets this highly important reports looking at everything from layout
aspect of the journey wrong, then any and seating posture to smell, welcome,
dissatisfied passenger will definitely not expectations and humidity. His findings
travel with them again. were that leg room, cleanliness, crew
“The lavatory kits we are supplying [to training and expectations were the most “Aircraft interior designers use their
a major Middle Eastern airline] underpin highly significant factors. creativity, while considering the style
the significant investment the customer is So the importance of interior design and preferences of the customer, to
making in upgrading … of over 30 Airbus obviously hinges on a layout that allows provide options the customer hasn’t even
aircraft,” explains Phil Francis, Sales and easy cleaning – along with enough room considered, explains Mary Lee, Duncan
Marketing Director at MacCarthy Aviation. for the passenger to appreciate all the Aviation Senior Aircraft Interior Designer.
The company specialises in aircraft things they have been told about during She says that while aircraft operators still
interior fittings for demanding clients – the ticket-buying process. These would tend to choose soft, light earth tones for
and has made a speciality of supplying usually include food, entertainment, their interiors, they are starting to see
sanitation modules with cost-effective yet available luggage space and a good- the emergence of light, warm grays and
high-class facilities for their customers. looking environment, says Vink. charcoals as a popular alternative.
“The kits include a new LED lighting Indeed, according to specialist desgn It also depends on where the customer
package, a Corian worktop with stainless outfit Duncan Aviation, a US-based full comes from. Some international customers
steel sink, soft close toilet seat, floor pan service operation which offers aircraft opt for flashy colours and gold trim, while
and mat, faucet, amenity stowage basket MRO as well as fit-outs, customers’ customers from the United States tend to
and vanity cabinet door, all of which will preferences are changing when it comes stay with more subtle colors and silvers,
be manufactured and kitted at our facility to interior fitting out. While 15 to 20 and Asian airlines are usually highly
near Gatwick Airport in the UK,” explains years ago, aircraft owners were more colour-coded to their company logos.
Francis. The company’s contract for toilet conservative with colours, textures and
outfitting on just this single project amounts materials, the current trends lean towards
to over US$4 million, so it’s significant much more stylish and personal layouts.
business, he points out. MacCarthy won Individual customers and airlines alike
the contract on the strength of exhibiting want practicality in their aircraft, yet OPPOSITE PAGE: Air
New Zealand’s Skycouch,
at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, they want it to be attractive too. They are which folds out into a bed
where it showcased a concept lavatory; the mindful of the limitations and regulations ABOVE: Michael Pevan,
company sealed the deal only a few months within business aviation, and they want General Manager of New
after that. The builders will be shipping two pleasingly contemporary designs that are Zealand-based Altitude
sets a month until the order is complete. within the regulations. Aerospace Interiors

THE SMALLEST ROOM
Toilet design may seem fairly straightforward: a pan, a handbasin, a lockable
door and a mirror. But airlines today need a lot more. They demand LED lights to
save power, special surfaces for easy cleaning, maximum hygiene and durability,
detectors for smoke and easy to use water fountains for the widest range of
passengers to operate without panicking – and above all, maximum facilities for
minimum weight in the smallest possible space (which doesn’t generate seat
income). MacCarthy Aviation’s M8 unit comes with high-tech Corian worktops,
EMTEQ LED lighting and a backlit engraved mirror. It offers what it claims is
a highly durable moulded PanGuard from Schneller, and a revolutionary toilet
shroud. The one-piece moulded shroud brings a reduction in weight, increases
durability and is cheaper than current market offerings, says MacCarthy.

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