Blending lighting & listening experience

We are just weeks away from the event of the year in the world of aircraft cabin interiors, AIX 2024, being held in Hamburg at the end of May. This year, joining the cabin lighting experts at STG Aerospace will be representation from ALTO Aviation, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-end OEM and aftermarket cabin audio and cabin management systems for the aviation industry. ALTO’s Senior Director of Strategic Marketing, Cristina Scarlata, explains what the firm is all about and why they are excited to join STG at this year’s AIX..

 

It has been six months since ALTO Aviation was acquired by Heads Up Technologies (HUT), also the parent company of STG Aerospace. The formal industry announcement was made during HUT’s exhibition at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) conference in Las Vegas last October.

Unsurprisingly, 2024 is proving to be an exciting year for ALTO, exploring new markets and opportunities with our new colleagues at STG Aerospace. It will be the firm’s first experience of Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) and with the buzz already building, we’re looking forward to taking part at this exciting event.

 

What does ALTO Aviation do? 

At ALTO Aviation, we design, manufacture, and distribute premium cabin audio, in-flight entertainment (In-Flight Entertainment) systems, passenger controls and cabin management systems for all aircraft types, with particular expertise in high-end private and corporate jets. ALTO’s cabin audio systems are offered as line-fit equipment by most major OEMs and are the preferred choice for retrofit installations in aftermarket upgrades for all aircraft platforms, installed by our extensive network of authorised MRO companies worldwide.

ALTO is also a manufacturer and provider of precision metal fabrication and machined parts for aerospace, and other highly regulated industries. All our systems are TSO-Certified and DO-160 tested,  and customised for each cabin, providing every passenger with an outstanding in-flight acoustic,  entertainment, and cabin control experience.

 

Synergy between light and sound

Passenger’s on-wing experience is influenced and enhanced by a myriad of factors, most of which, if done seamlessly, they will not even be aware. Lighting and audio are two crucial aspects of the overall passenger experience, which need to be expertly integrated into the cabin interior with safety, functionality, and aesthetics in mind.

STG’s expertise in cabin lighting solutions combined with ALTO’s cabin audio and cabin control upgrades expertise represents an ideal collaboration. It provides the aviation industry with lighting and listening experiences designed by leveraging many decades of market experience, innovation, unrivalled product quality, and top customer support. ALTO’s solutions complement STG’s offerings with a focus on customisation, and we look forward to bringing private, business, and commercial aviation customers, combined solutions.

Both firms share an innovative approach to finding lighting and audio solutions.  STG’s experts have been pioneers in cabin interior lighting and harnessing photoluminescent technology for emergency exit marking systems, with innovations in colour and including the narrowest option on the market at just 11mm wide (saf-Tglo® SSUL-X11™).  Similarly, ALTO produces superior certified components, the lightest and smallest in the business aviation market, including a full line of loudspeakers, amplifiers, subwoofers, direct replacement passenger controls, bluetooth® audio, system master controllers, cabin control app, and cabin accessories.

ALTO’s innovative and customised in-flight entertainment systems include the firm’s signature ALTO MySound™, ALTO nVELOP™ Digital Surround Sound™, award-winning ALTO Soundstage™ 3D immersive audio, Public Address Systems, and cabin management systems upgrades, all tailored to each aircraft’s specifications and tuned onsite to the highest existing audiophile standards.

Just like our colleagues in lighting, the world of audio is continually evolving with innovations. Providing each passenger with the ultimate customisation and intuitive control, has focused the industry’s attention on developing seat-centric audio technology. Immersive sound for entertainment and wellness, and the ability to seamlessly switch listening modes, are key priorities in the current market. Looking at future developments, voicecontrol, multi-beamed audio, and privacy sound are all in development stages.

 

ALTO’s first AIX

We are excited that Mark Cook, Director of Business Development at ALTO Aviation, will be at AIX this year to support STG. Mark brings a wealth of experience in the aviation industry and is ALTO’s main representative with all our OEM customers, leading business expansion efforts with existing and new aircraft platforms.

 

 

We are most looking forward to really hearing what the commercial aviation industry needs and how can we partner to bring meaningful solutions that respond to each of these needs. Understanding customer expectations will allow us to better serve STG’s customers. The event is also a great opportunity to continue developing our partnership with the STG team with the shared objectives of providing innovative, practical, and reliable solutions to enhance the in-flight experience for all passengers.

To book a meeting at AIX with the STG team for all things emergency exit and cabin lighting or to learn more about ALTO cabin audio and control systems, please register your interest here.