Leatherhead-based Starling Aerospace has extended its design and manufacturing capability, having acquired new machinery.

The aircraft interiors specialist, located between London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, has become the first UK aerospace company to operate a 3-in-1 CNC perforating, stitching and embroidery combined machine. Additionally, Starling has upgraded its sewing shop with the installation of six fully automated Juki sewing machines.

The recent commissioning of its first in-house autoclave also builds on Starling’s fully integrated expertise, by facilitating the fabrication of interior panels, fixtures and fittings, from prepreg carbon fibre. Using this reinforced material, which is pre-impregnated with a resin system and curing agent, results in the manufacture of superior strength and lighter weight products, to a consistently high finish.

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According to Starling’s co-founding director, Coralie Wigg, the company’s advancement on multiple fronts will enable it to offer a market-leading design and production service for any aircraft interior:

“This major investment in machinery represents the biggest upgrade in Starling’s capability since the company was established more than two decades ago. By combining different sewing tasks into a single CNC machine, we can create any design for leather and fabric, no matter how complex. Equally, our in-house autoclave provides an agile solution for customers needing a fast project turnaround. Starling is seeing a growing trend for completely bespoke interiors, so we are well positioned to deliver increasingly exotic designs that our clients are demanding.”

As well as design and fabrication, Starling manages aircraft interior modifications, re-certification and installation.