Supporting Type Approval for Safran's HBC+ In-Flight Connectivity System
Bringing a new connectivity system onto a commercial aircraft requires much more than strong technology. It demands rigorous validation, regulatory coordination and close collaboration across multiple organisations.
Strascend was mandated by Safran Passenger Innovations to support the type approval certification of its HBC+ in-flight connectivity system for Airbus aircraft.
The challenge
HBC+ is designed to provide airlines with greater flexibility and passengers with faster, more reliable onboard internet. Before such a system can enter commercial service, it must successfully complete a demanding approval process covering technical performance, aircraft integration, regulatory compliance and operational readiness.
The programme involved several leading organisations, including Safran, Airbus, Viasat and SES, each contributing different technologies, responsibilities and operational constraints.
The mission
Strascend supported the coordination of the technical validation and type approval activities required for the integration of HBC+ on Airbus platforms. The assignment included:
- coordinating activities across Safran, Airbus, Viasat and SES
- supporting technical validation and compliance planning
- aligning certification, testing and programme requirements
- preparing and coordinating ground and flight-test activities
- supporting test flights aboard Airbus's A350 MSN002 test aircraft
- coordinating with French regulatory authorities, including the DGAC and ARCEP
- tracking technical issues, dependencies and approval milestones
The work required close cooperation between engineering teams, connectivity providers, aircraft manufacturers and regulators.
Our expertise
This project highlights Strascend's expertise in managing complex aerospace and technology programmes involving multiple stakeholders, regulatory constraints and highly integrated systems. Our role was to connect technical, operational and certification activities, identify dependencies and keep the different organisations aligned toward a common objective.
The assignment combined aerospace programme management, aircraft connectivity expertise, certification and regulatory coordination, systems integration, flight-test preparation and execution, and management of international technology partners.
Enabling the future of connected aviation
Next-generation in-flight connectivity is becoming a core element of the passenger experience and airline digital strategy. HBC+ represents an important step toward more flexible and scalable connectivity solutions for commercial aviation.
Through this mission, Strascend demonstrated its ability to support critical aerospace programmes from technical validation through certification and flight testing, helping innovative systems move closer to commercial deployment.