Astronics Ballard Technology’s webFB® Selected by Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA for Fleet Data Acquisition

A year-long trial of the webFB^® smart AID/server enabled airline to streamline data collection and improve operational efficiency

EAST AURORA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ:ATRO), a leading provider of advanced technologies for the global aerospace, defense and semiconductor industries, announced that Norwegian Air Shuttle (NAS) has selected the webFB^® Wireless Electronic Flight Bag device, offered through its wholly owned subsidiary Astronics Ballard Technology. NAS will install the webFB on all of its Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) aircraft to improve and automate aircraft data collection.

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The webFB from Astronics Ballard Technology enables aircraft operators to easily capture, record, and process aircraft data for use in-flight or for post-flight analysis. (Photo: Business Wire)

“We are very excited to be working with Norwegian Air Shuttle on this project. Their application is an ideal match for the high-reliability ARINC 717 data capture capabilities of the webFB,” said Jon Neal, President of Astronics Ballard Technology. “They also recognize the tremendous advantage of a simple, easy-to-install solution that minimizes aircraft downtime and allows them to quickly retrofit their fleet and gain immediate benefits.”

Aleksander Geist, Senior Avionics Engineer with Norwegian Air Shuttle, says, “For quite some time, we have been searching for a solution to improve and automate the collection of aircraft data, which currently is a manual process using physical media. The webFB, in conjunction with our EFBs, offer a very flexible and cost-effective solution. Astronics Ballard Technology has been very responsive in our aircraft trials and we are pleased with the data acquisition performance and the long-term benefit it will have for our organization. We are already looking ahead to future use cases that will allow us to further leverage our webFB technology investment.”

Astronics participated with NAS in a year-long operational trial of the webFB to validate the suitability of the device in operation and the economic benefits of the solution. In the application, the webFB gathers data from the aircraft’s ARINC 717 databus and wirelessly routes it to the electronic flight bags (EFBs), where it is automatically transferred by NAS to a data center and used for post-flight analysis. With the webFB already operating on 10 aircraft, NAS will install the product on all of their additional Boeing 737NG aircraft.

About the webFB

The ultra-compact webFB incorporates the capabilities of both an AID and a wireless server to safely gather aircraft data, convey it to applications hosted on the internal server, and deliver this valuable information wirelessly to portable EFB tablets. It installs in minutes, connecting directly to the system test plug of Boeing 737, 757, or 767 aircraft, minimizing costly aircraft downtime.

The webFB received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the FAA, as well as installation approval by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Transport Canada, and Direccíon General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC Mexico) for use on Boeing 737 aircraft.

Astronics Ballard Technology

Astronics Ballard Technology is the industry-leader for reliable avionics databus interface solutions. By producing quality, easy-to-use products available in a wide range of configurations, and providing free, world-class customer support, Astronics Ballard Technology has won the loyalty of aerospace, military and government users worldwide. For more information on the new webFB, visit www.astronics.com/webFB.

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA

Founded in 1993, Norwegian is the third largest low-cost carrier in Europe, sixth largest in the world, with about 9000 employees. They operate over 500 routes to more than 150 destinations in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Thailand, the Caribbean and the USA. They have 152 aircraft in their fleet and around 250 aircraft on order, boasting one of the youngest fleets in the world with an average age of less than four years. With the vision “Affordable fares for all”, Norwegian has won the prestigious Skytrax awards World's Best Low-Cost, Long Haul Airline three years in a row, and Europe's Best Low-Cost Airline five years in a row as well as several other awards. For more information on Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA, visit www.norwegian.com.

ABOUT ASTRONICS CORPORATION

Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ:ATRO) serves the world’s aerospace, defense and semiconductor industries with proven, innovative technology solutions. Astronics works side-by-side with customers, integrating its array of power, connectivity, lighting, structures, interiors, and test technologies to solve complex challenges. For 50 years, Astronics has delivered creative, customer-focused solutions with exceptional responsiveness. Today, global airframe manufacturers, airlines, military branches, completion centers and Fortune 500 manufacturing organizations rely on the collaborative spirit and innovation of Astronics.

For more information on Astronics and its solutions, visit Astronics.com.

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Source: Astronics Corporation

Released May 15, 2018