We utilised our LF power range to enable BAAE to create a simulation cabin for Help for Heroes charity.
We were approached by British Airways Avionic Engineering (BAAE) with a unique request. The project was part of a collaboration with Help for Heroes, a charity supporting wounded and traumatised UK veterans. The goal: to recreate a realistic first-class aircraft cabin as part of an immersive rehabilitation environment at Tedworth House Recovery Centre.
To power the cabin’s seating systems and simulate authentic aircraft conditions, BAAE needed a reliable 400 Hz static frequency converter- a role perfectly suited to our LF Unit range.
Our LF Units are static frequency converters designed to provide clean, stable 400 Hz AC power. They are essential for testing and operating equipment in aerospace, defence, subsea, and industrial applications. Unlike traditional rotary converters, LF Units are compact, solid-state devices that convert standard mains power (50/60 Hz) into precise 400 Hz output in either single-phase or three-phase configurations, with power ratings from 1 kW to 3 kW.
In March 2024, we responded to an enquiry from BAAE to a specialist division of the GBE group- GBE Power. GBE Power offer in-house design and manufacturing services, including a fully bespoke service with advice for all aspects of product compliance. We were made aware that this work was on behalf of Help for Heroes, to provide an LF unit to create an emulated first-class cabin to aid the rehabilitation and recovery for veteran soldiers facing serious trauma and damage from war efforts.
British Airways were tasked with the engineering and creation of the interior of the cabin and needed our units to power the seats to mimic the feeling of a plane flight (with the inverters replicating aircraft power supply). To be able to mount the unit the way BAAE required, we had to provide them with a method to mount the LF unit — they asked for a 19” rack to vertically mount it. There was a set deadline for this, so we had to work within time limits and ship the unit to Tedworth House Rehabilitation Centre.
Key points
We initially provided BAAE with detailed specifications for both the LF1-400/1 kW and LF1-400/3 kW units, helping them evaluate power needs, orientation constraints, and weight considerations. Our engineering team confirmed that vertical mounting would be safe as long as airflow vents remained unobstructed.
We offer compact and reliable LF units:
In response to the issue found with the LF1, we put one of our senior design engineers in contact with BAAE as they were still under our warranty protection. After having the unit sent back to us, we ran many tests on it, finding and addressing the defect so it could be sent back to the customer in time for their project deadline.
The LF1-400/1KVA was successfully connected to all four of the cabin seats, allowing the simulated flight experience for many different veterans. They reported that the 1st class cabin gave them the feeling of being “flown away from their trauma” and/or from a war zone, and some soldiers with severe insomnia were even able to get some sleep in this cabin. When some of our team visited the cabin after finalisation, they expressed how satisfying the project was, and how realistic the resulting cabin felt.
We found working with BAAE and Help for Heroes extremely rewarding. This was not just a technical solution; it was a small but meaningful contribution to veteran recovery. We are proud to have supported a project that blends the engineering excellence of our LF units with positive human impact.
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