What Custom Control Concepts does

Custom Control Concepts (CCC), founded in 1998 and headquartered in a 65,000-square-foot facility in Kent, Washington, designs, engineers, manufactures, and certifies all-digital In-Flight Entertainment and Cabin Management Systems (IFE/CMS) for the corporate, private, and VIP aircraft industry. The company's technology stack centers on proprietary all-digital HD video and audio distribution using a C-Stream unshielded twisted-pair coax system with differential noise cancellation, an iPlane wireless cabin-management application for iOS and Android devices, the SkyShow 3D moving map, the Spectrum LED cabin-lighting line, and AVOD (Audio Video on Demand) with simultaneous independent streaming to every cabin monitor. CCC also applies aviation-grade 3D manufacturing of flame-resistant thermoplastics for components such as composite speakers that are 55% lighter than machined equivalents, and manufactures supporting hardware including HD monitors up to 64 inches with 4K Ultra HD capability, custom switch panels machined from solid aluminum, Dolby surround-sound speakers, system controllers, aviation-grade cables, and compact Direct Connect HDMI aux panels.

CCC's revenue model is predominantly project-based and quote-driven, combining one-time licensing of custom IFE/CMS systems (priced per aircraft), professional services for systems integration, FAA/EASA conformity testing, and DO-160 environmental qualification performed in its in-house Systems Integration Lab, contract engineering for third-party integration and retrofit/upgrade work, custom graphical user interface design for each aircraft, and recurring technical support through a 24/7 AOG hotline and remote diagnostics. The company operates a pure enterprise B2B go-to-market with no consumer or e-commerce channel, selling directly to VIP aircraft owners/operators, flight departments, and aircraft completion centers, supported by a dedicated sales team and physical demonstration capability both at the Seattle-area facility and at major industry trade shows including EBACE in Geneva and ABACE in Shanghai. CCC holds FAA Repair Station certification (Y1CR466Y), EASA Repair Station certification (145.620), FAA PMA on over 100 parts, and FAA-FIS facility approvals, with 150+ (later reported as 165+) custom installations completed across Boeing and Airbus widebody and narrowbody aircraft as well as business jets and helicopters.

In April 2022, Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO), a supplier of advanced aerospace, defense, and semiconductor technologies, acquired the operating assets of Custom Control Concepts, making CCC a wholly-owned subsidiary operating alongside PGA Avionics within Astronics' VVIP aircraft offerings segment. CCC continues to operate as Astronics Custom Control Concepts from its Kent, WA headquarters under the leadership of President and CEO Bill Weaver, CTO Russ Johnson, VP of Business Development Jason Danforth, and VP of Manufacturing Ed Lowney.

Name

Custom Control Concepts

Legal name

Custom Control Concepts Inc.

Website

https://custom-control.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Custom Control Concepts designs, engineers, manufactures, and certifies all-digital In-Flight Entertainment and Cabin Management Systems for VIP, corporate, and private aircraft, serving owners, operators, and completion centers globally from its Kent, Washington facility as a subsidiary of Astronics Corporation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation In-Flight Entertainment and Cabin Management Systems

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerospace Interior Materials & Components (Cabin) (IMABANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interiors MRO (Cabin Refurbishment & IFE) (IMABALAH), Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK)

Keywords

• In-flight entertainment systems
• Cabin management systems
• Aviation electronics manufacturing
• VIP aircraft systems
• Aviation LED lighting

Headquarters

HQ city

Kent

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom IFE/CMS Systems: Design, engineering, manufacturing, and certification of complete custom digital In-Flight Entertainment and Cabin Management Systems for VIP aircraft. Includes hardware components, system controllers, monitors, lighting, and cables.
2. System Integration and Testing Services: In-house Systems Integration Lab (SIL) testing, FAA/EASA conformity testing, DO-160 environmental testing, and quality assurance services.
3. Contract Engineering Services: Custom integration services for third-party equipment including monitors, satellite systems, cameras, and lighting. Upgrades and retrofits of existing IFE/CMS systems.
4. Custom User Interface Design: Custom graphical user interface design services for each aircraft, including custom icons, controls, backgrounds, and navigation specific to client preferences.
5. Technical Support and Training: 24/7 AOG (Aircraft on Ground) support hotline, remote diagnostics, worldwide field support, and training programs for completion centers and flight departments.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Custom Control Concepts designs, engineers, manufactures and certifies digital In-Flight Entertainment and Cabin Management Systems (IFE/CMS) for corporate, private and VIP aircraft. The company produces integrated hardware systems including AVOD streaming, iPad/iPhone/Android cabin control, 3D moving maps, LED cabin lighting, HD monitors, switch panels, speakers, system controllers and aviation-grade cables, all built and certified in-house under FAA and EASA approvals.

Product overview

Custom Control Concepts (CCC) offers a comprehensive portfolio of In-Flight Entertainment and Cabin Management Systems (IFE/CMS) for corporate, private, and VIP aircraft. The product ecosystem centers on four core offerings: AVOD for audio/video on-demand streaming, iPlane for wireless device-based cabin control, SkyShow for 3D moving map displays, and Spectrum Lighting for customizable LED cabin illumination. These integrate with a complete line of supporting products including HD monitors and touchscreens (4.8" to 64", including 4K Ultra HD), custom switch panels, audio/video source equipment, Dolby surround sound speakers, system controllers, and aviation-grade cables. The company serves wide and narrow body aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, as well as business jets and helicopters, positioning itself as the industry leader with over 150 custom VIP installations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Spectrum: LED cabin lighting system with full dimming control and endless color variations.
• iPlane
• SkyShow
• AVOD
• Direct Connect

Products and services

• AVOD (Audio Video on Demand) HD Audio Video On Demand system allowing every passenger to simultaneously and independently access high-definition IFE content from any monitor in the cabin, with wireless streaming to iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Targeted at VIP and corporate aircraft operators.
• iPlane Cabin Management Application Wireless cabin management and IFE control application for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android devices providing centralized control of lighting, shades, temperature, entertainment, cameras and third-party systems. First VIP Android remote application.
• SkyShow 3D Moving Map

Quantifiable outcome

• 150+ custom VIP aircraft installations completed
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature7 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jet Aviation: Leading global business jet completion and MRO network. Both a customer-channel peer (sources IFE/CMS) and direct competitor in VIP cabin integration services.
• Lufthansa Technik: Major VIP aircraft completion center and MRO provider that integrates its own and third-party cabin/IFE systems. Directly comparable through its VIP completion business, where CCC competes for IFE/CMS content.
• Panasonic Avionics: Largest dedicated IFE supplier globally with broad IFE and connectivity offerings for commercial and VIP aircraft. Direct competitor in IFE systems, though more focused on commercial wide-body fleets.
• AMAC Aerospace: Swiss VIP completion center for Boeing and Airbus business jets. Direct comparable: AMAC is both a named CCC customer and a competing integrator of cabin/IFE systems in the VIP segment.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Aerospace: Global aerospace incumbent offering avionics and cabin management solutions. Overlaps with CCC in VIP/business jet cabin systems and flight-deck integration.
• Thales Group (Avionics): Major aerospace incumbent providing avionics, IFE, and cabin systems. Overlaps with CCC on cabin management and IFE for VIP and business aviation segments.
• Collins Aerospace: Large diversified aerospace supplier offering cabin management, IFE, and seating solutions. Competes with CCC across VIP and business jet cabin systems, with much broader portfolio depth.
• Safran Cabin (formerly Zodiac Aerospace): Major cabin interior and systems integrator for commercial and business aircraft. Comparable through cabin management, lighting, and IFE-adjacent content for VIP aircraft.
• Diehl Aviation: Cabin systems and lighting supplier serving commercial and business aviation. Overlaps with CCC on cabin lighting (Spectrum), cabin controls, and integration for VIP platforms.

Emerging players

• Viasat: In-flight connectivity and IFE platform provider with growing VIP/business aviation presence. Increasingly relevant as CCC's Sky-Fi/SkyOne products and IFE offerings converge with connectivity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/custom-control-concepts

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Custom Control Concepts