Geneva-based Albinati Aeronautics has facilitated a cabin upgrade for one of its Falcon 50EX management clients. The owner was looking to replace the ageing technology in the aircraft and the operator recommended Honeywell's Ovation Select, supervising the completion by US-based Duncan Aviation.

Ovation Select is compatible with iPhones and iPads and enables passengers to listen to music, watch videos and view photographs while in the air.

Founded in 2001 by Stefano Albinati, who has an extensive background in business and private aviation, Albinati Aeronautics is a family-managed company which carries out aircraft management, sales and acquisitions, maintenance supervision and chartering of business jets worldwide. Its aircraft maintenance supervision services include coordinating and monitoring all scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance and ensuring that it is carried out by approved centres.

Among its 18 aircraft, either privately or commercially operated under Swiss or Maltese AOCs, Albinati has managed the Isle of Man-registered Falcon 50EX since it was delivered to its current owner in 2014.

“Before the owner bought this aircraft it was fitted with an interior that was like something from the 1970s,” says Fabien Rousse, continuing airworthiness coordinator. "The owner wanted the ability to display slide shows on the cabin monitors, to listen to music and to have a system that was compatible with Apple products. The system also needed to be easy to use by families of the company executives who sometimes travel on-board."

Rousse says the Ovation Select system is very easy to use: “You don't need a manual to use it, nor do you need to be a specialist in entertainment systems. The owner is very happy with Ovation Select and it is very user-friendly, even for children that are travelling.”