On the Record with JEAN-PIERRE MORTREUX, PRESIDENT &
CEO, THALES AVIONICS
Whether the market is up or down doesn't matter. What's important
is maintaining a high level of R&D investment so a company
can take advantage of the inevitable opportunities that arise
during both market conditions.
"What we have tried to do is invest even if this is the low
point of the cycle, because you need to be ready when the market
recovers," said Jean-Pierre Mortreux, president and CEO,
Thales Avionics North America.
"Thales Avionics as an air transport division working with
airlines is in good shape, because Airbus is selling 300-plus
airplanes per year," Mortreux explained. "Our business
in terms of regional aircraft is stable, with a small decline,
but business jets have been hurt by the economy, generally speaking.
"For basic equipment and optional equipment (in the business
jet market), we have been hurt. Everybody is looking at 2005 for
the real turnaround."
But everyone in the business has been hurt, and according to Mortreux,
that's no reason not to continue developing and improving products.
Mortreux has two priorities for NBAA this year: to launch a cabin management
system for business and VIP aircraft called TopSeries eXecutive,
and to provide an update on the enhanced vision system the company
began to develop last year with Bombardier.
TopSeries eXecutive is being developed by Thales Avionics and Audio
International, a DeCrane Aircraft company, to provide integration
of in-flight entertainment, "lounge in the sky," "office
in the sky," and full cabin management, from single- or multiple-seat
locations, and integrated into a single scalable Ethernet-based
network architecture.
Thales Avionics brings expertise in aircraft systems integration
to the partnership, while Audio International's experience is
in cabin management. The initial agreement between the two companies
was made public at last year's NBAA.
Like companies offering integrated cabin management products,
Thales Avionics is talking with airframe makers about installing
the "backbone" for such a system on the assembly line
rather than in the completion shop.
"There is a trend at the OEMs to get a more standardized
backbone system that can then be customized for each customer,"
said Mortreux, adding that "there is an interest from Bombardier...from
Dassault" in the offering from Thales Avionics.
Regarding the Thales EVS, Mortreux reports that certification
of the system is on track for the end of 2004. First flight of
the EVS in its Bombardier Global Express testbed is scheduled
for later this month. Once certificated, the EVS will be standard
equipment on the Global Express and offered as an option on the
Global 5000.
"All Global Express aircraft purchased from last year on
will receive the EVS," said Mortreux. "We expect that
50% (of existing GEXs) that have a head-up display will ask for
retrofit of EVS afterward."
Used during taxi, takeoff, approach and landing, the EVS employs
infrared sensor technology to provide a more accurate image of
the aircraft's surroundings. It will reduce the risk of controlled
flight into terrain, minimize runway incursions at nighttime and
in low visibility, and increase overall depth-perception in difficult
operating conditions.
