Read the lastest news from Flight Display Systems.

January 6th, 2009

Chris Cayia Named Operations Manager

Chris Cayia has been appointed as Operations Manager at Flight Display Systems. In this position, Cayia will be responsible for production work-flow, technical and customer support, and purchasing.

headshot of Chris Cayia

Prior to joining Flight Display Systems, Cayia was Superintendent for JHC Corporation in Peachtree City, GA. He has also held positions with increasing responsibility for Millennium Mat Company Alpha Technologies and Mitsubishi Wireless Communications.

Cayia holds an Associate of Science degree Electronics Engineering Technology from Tampa Technical Institute.





December 31st, 2008

2008 News Summary - Top Sales Year

2008 was the best year ever in sales for Flight Display Systems. In chronological order, here are some of our news highlights from the past twelve months.


FAA Approves Low-Cost Airborne Ellipse TV System

Flight Display Systems and The Maintenance Group, Inc. jointly announced today the receipt of an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) award for their new low-cost airborne satellite TV system, Ellipse TV.

Flight Display Systems Appoints Steve Lord to Northeast Region

We are very happy that Steve joined our team,” said David Gray, President of Flight Display Systems. “Steve has a history of field sales and business development. His experience will help us continue to deliver the best products and services to a growing market.”

New High-Definition Video System Introduced

The new Fly HD system is the only in-flight product on the market capable of delivering a true high-definition digital video signal which supports Blu-Ray and other HD sources.

PMA Awarded for 3 Cabin LCD Monitors

Flight Display Systems has been granted Parts Manufacturing Approval from the FAA for the 10.4-inch LCD, the 17.1-inch Widescreen LCD, and the 26-inch Widescreen LCD. We now have the largest selection of PMA designated LCD monitors in the industry.

FAA Grants PMA for Flight View Camera and Satellite Radio Amplifier

The Flight View Camera allows passengers to see taxi, takeoff and landing from a pilot’s perspective. The Satellite Radio Amplifier allows multiple passengers to have a personal satellite radio receiver at their seat.

Upgraded Wireless Audio Transmitter and Headsets

The FD900X3C is a three channel wireless audio transmitter operating on the 2.4 Gigahertz frequency.

Top Ranking in 2008 Product Support Survey

Flight Display Systems was recently awarded 4th Place in the Product Support Survey from Aviation International News.

Three New Single-Source Flippers Introduced

Not only does the new Flipper have a superb picture quality, but because of the mounting options, it answers most of the installation concerns that our clients have,” said Rick Vachon, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Forward Vision.

Photos from NBAA 2008 in Orlando

Flight Display Systems once again had the largest booth for any IFE company. Customers and dealers were given the opportunity to see all of our bright, crisp LCD monitors in living color.

Joe Little Named VP of Research and Development

We are now in position to continue developing fast-track solutions for bringing unique and cost-effective cabin entertainment products to our customers worldwide,” say David Gray, President of Flight Display Systems.

GSA Schedule Contract Awarded

This GSA contract award will make it easier for special mission and military customers to purchase our equipment,” said David Gray, President of Flight Display Systems.

David Oblinger Appointed General Manager

Oblinger, a seasoned operations executive, will oversee the daily manufacturing processes and systems. He brings the planning experience and management necessary to enable Flight Display Systems to handle its explosive growth.


We are forecasting even more growth in 2009. Stay tuned for many exciting new product announcements!





December 17th, 2008

Special Guest Bob Wilson Visits Flight Display Systems Office

Bob Wilson, Founder and President of Wilson Air Center, visited the Alpharetta, Georgia offices of Flight Display Systems on Friday, December 12th. He gave a motivational speech to the entire company, highlighting the importance of teamwork, quality, and maintaining a positive attitude.

Bob Wilson has been a mentor for me since I started this company,” said David Gray, President of Flight Display Systems. “His message about attention to detail and how to treat customers with respect is a great example of leadership.”


Bob Wilson and David Gray meet on December 12, 2008

Wilson Air Center opened in Memphis in 1996. Additional operations in Charlotte and Houston followed in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The Memphis facility of Wilson Air Center has been rated the #1 Fixed Base Operator (FBO) for nine years in a row by readers of Aviation International News.

I enjoyed meeting with the employees of Flight Display Systems,” said Bob Wilson, Founder and President of Wilson Air Center. “The team seems to have a passion for what they do.”

At the end of his talk, Mr. Wilson gave each of the employees a copy of his father’s book, Half Luck and Half Brains: The Kemmons Wilson Holiday Inn Story. Employees also received a poster of Kemmons Wilson’s 20 Tips for Success.


Number One in Customer Support - Wilson Air Center and Flight Display Systems





December 15th, 2008

David Oblinger Appointed General Manager

Expansion Creates Opportunity for Seasoned Operations Executive

Citing solid company growth, Flight Display Systems has recruited David Oblinger to fill the position of General Manager. Oblinger, a seasoned operations executive, will oversee the daily manufacturing processes and systems of the Alpharetta, GA company which specializes in developing cabin entertainment products to enhance the flight experience. He brings the planning experience and management necessary to enable Flight Display Systems to handle its explosive growth.

As we continue to expand our company through the creation and manufacturing of innovative products, we generate the need to develop an infrastructure to take us to the next level,” said David Gray, President and Founder of Flight Display Systems. “David Oblinger is a proven operations executive who will provide the necessary leadership to help us hone our processes as we continue to be competitive in the marketplace.”

Flight Display Systems success this past year has been due to the demand for new products such as their popular High-Definition TV package called Fly HD. In total, Flight Display Systems has developed more than 50 aircraft entertainment products with FAA PMA approval.

David Oblinger
David Oblinger, General Manager for Flight Display Systems

Oblinger has more than 30 years of experience in defining, developing, and implementing business process improvements. Most recently he worked as Director of Operations and Resources for Silgan Plastics Corporation developing standardized manufacturing and maintenance processes. He has also held positions of increasing responsibility with Monsanto Company and holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Newark College of Engineering.





December 2nd, 2008

Visit to Dealers in Paris, Switzerland, Milan

Flight Display Systems is growing our business in Europe. Nick Gray recently visited some of our dealers on a trip through Paris, Geneva, Basel, Zurich, and Milan. For additional information on international sales, email to nick.gray@flightdisplay.com or call +1-404-518-9842.


Paris
Paris - Visiting Cedric and team at Dassault Falcon Services


Paris
Paris - Touring the Uni-Air facility with Pascal


Geneva
Geneva - At RUAG with Laurent, Ryan, Gunnar Rosenfeld (DAC), Lionel, Michel, and Nick


Geneva
Geneva - Eugene from TAG Aviation was happy to hear about our new products


Lommis
Lommis, Switzerland - Nick, Corina, Ralf, and Gunnar Rosenfeld (DAC)


Milan
Milan - Roberto at Northern Avionics is a long-time customer of Flight Display Systems

DAC International is our exclusive overseas distributor. For additional information on international sales, email to nick.gray@flightdisplay.com or call +1-404-518-9842.





November 25th, 2008

GSA Schedule Contract Awarded

Flight Display Systems has been awarded a schedule contract with the General Services Administration. Contract number GS-07F-0536U is valid through September 3rd, 2013. With this contract, Flight Display Systems will market LCD monitors and other aircraft-certified display equipment to the United States government and military organizations.

This GSA contract award will make it easier for special mission and military customers to purchase our equipment,” said David Gray, President of Flight Display Systems. “Being a contract holder allows us to drastically streamline the ordering process.”

GSA schedules are the favored purchasing mechanism for most federal buyers. Flight Display Systems had to undergo a thorough application process to obtain this award. The company can deliver custom designed projects on tight time frames and at reasonable prices to military and special missions customers.

If you would like to discuss capabilities and find out how Flight Display Systems can assist your military or special missions project, please call Bob Hala at +1-678-365-1774.





November 5th, 2008

Joe Little Named VP of Research and Development

Joe Little has been named Vice President, Research and Development for Flight Display Systems, a leader in developing cabin entertainment products to enhance the flight experience.

In this new position, Little will drive the efforts of the Research and Development team to advance Flight Display System’s position of developing innovative and unique flight entertainment solutions for the business and commercial aircraft industry.

“Over the years, Flight Display Systems has built a reputation for developing fast-track solutions for bringing unique and cost-effective cabin entertainment products to our customers worldwide,” said David Gray, President and Founder of Flight Display Systems. “With Joe Little joining our staff, we are in position to not only sustain these efforts but also increase our planned initiatives.”

Flight Display Systems has become an industry leader by quickly bringing to the market many firsts. This includes a low cost moving map display, various sizes of LCD monitors, High-Definition TV, five channel wireless sound systems, DVD Players, and flight view cameras. In total, the company has developed more than 50 aircraft entertainment products with FAA PMA approval.

Joe Little headshot
Joe Little, Vice President of Research & Development

Little has more than 20 years of experience in electronics product engineering and design. Previously he worked as Senior Design Engineer for LOFA Industries developing microcontroller based electronic products. He has also held positions of increasing responsibility with Sunrise Telecom and Scientific Atlanta.





October 24th, 2008

Photos from NBAA 2008 in Orlando

At the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, Flight Display Systems once again had the largest booth for any IFE company. Customers and dealers were given the opportunity to see all of our bright, crisp LCD monitors in living color.


wide view of stands
Flight Display Systems exhibited at stand #1666 in Orlando, Florida


side view of Fly HD wall
Our full line of High Definition LCD monitors were on display with Blu-ray technology


company photograph
Group Photo! Left to right is Angel, Joe, Nick, Andy,
David, Susan, Robert, Steve, Bob, and Saad


Saad and Jay
Saad Habayeb and Jay Healey enjoyed meeting customers in our booth





September 30th, 2008

See us at NBAA 2008 - Free Prizes

Visit us at the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention in Orlando, Florida on October 6th - 8th.

At booth #1666, Flight Display Systems is giving away twenty (20) of our high-performance noise canceling headsets … one every hour! The new headset, part number FDNC3000, includes a built in volume control and is ideal for all kinds of mobile multimedia applications whether by land, sea or air.


The new FDNC3000 - Win One an Hour - Booth #1666 at NBAA 2008

The lightweight compact headsets, valued at $145 each, are capable of filtering out 85% of ambient noises for a relaxed listening experience. They come complete with a traveling case as well as various adapters for plugging into anything from an iPod to a multi-channel High-Definition Video setup. Within the aircraft cabin environment, the Acoustic Noise Canceling Technology fades background distractions and engine noise.

Visit booth #1666 at NBAA 2008 to see the complete line of cabin entertainment products from Flight Display Systems.





September 21st, 2008

Three New Single-Source Flippers Introduced

$2,500 Price and Basic Functionality for All Types of Operators

Flight Display Systems announces three new versions of the popular Flipper cockpit LCD product. It has a single-source input and is being marketed towards piston, helicopters, and general aviation aircraft operators.

5-inch Flipper Long deployed graphic 5-inch Flipper Stacked graphic Hinge Mount Graphic
Long Flipper
FD90AID-LG
Stacked Flipper
FD90AID-ST
Hinge Mount Flipper
FD90AID-HMT

The thin, small 5-inch LCD display installs easily in most cockpits. It flips into position when needed and can be viewed by both pilots. Unlike previous versions of the Flipper, this model incorporates all electronic video boards into a single housing. It eliminates the need for a Detached Electronics Box. 

This low-cost Flipper is available today in three configurations. The list price for the Long Flipper (FD90AID-LG, spec sheet) and Stacked Flipper (FD90AID-ST, spec sheet) is $2,500. The list price for the Hinge Mount Flipper (FD90AID-HMT, spec sheet) is $3,500.

Aircraft owners and operators are still challenged to find efficient ways of displaying new sources of data in the cockpit. Finding panel room for data like Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) is an ongoing issue for completion and refurbishment companies. With the new single-source Flipper, aircraft operators of all sizes now have an easy to install solution that does not require additional space or a rework of the entire instrument panel.

“Not only does the new Flipper have a superb picture quality, but because of the mounting options, it answers most of the installation concerns that our clients have,” said Rick Vachon, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Forward Vision, manufacturers of the EVS-100 powered by Max-Viz. “We simply couldn’t be more pleased to be able to offer the new Flipper to our customers.”


About Flight Display Systems
Every day thousands of aircraft owners enjoy the great value and high quality of Flight Display Systems products. Established in 1999 and located in Alpharetta, Georgia, Flight Display Systems is the leader in retrofit cabin entertainment equipment. The company manufactures over 45 aircraft entertainment products with FAA PMA approval. This includes affordable Moving Map displays, LCD monitors from 7- to 42-inches, wireless audio systems, DVD players, and flight view cameras.