Capability

Instrument Panels & Bezels / Keypads

Use Cases

Flightworthy control panels
Simulator and trainer panels
Integrated control panel assemblies
Backlit annunciators and legends
NVIS-compatible cockpit interfaces

MIL-DTL-7788 and QPL-7788 light plates with red, white, and NVG-compatible Green A/B illumination and integrated functional testing.

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Polytronix fabricates custom instrument and control panels and bezels specially designed by our engineering team to customer specifications. Automated machinery supports production runs from high-mix to high-volume, delivering expert in-house engineering, design, integration, installation, and global support with future-proof systems and the time and cost efficiencies of a single integrated vendor.

Polytronix manufactures light plates in accordance with (IAW) MIL-DTL-7788 and QPL-7788, and produces Type III, IV, V, and VII (LED) light plates in Red, White, and NVG-compatible Green A and B. With over 26,000 different parts, Polytronix manufactures for F-18, F-15, F-16, AH-64, T-7A Jet Flight Trainer, Sikorsky, and many more. Panels are made from sheet metal, switches, edge lights, knobs, connectors, and wire. Internal wiring is assembled and tested for full functionality using wiring analyzers and other test equipment.

Polytronix delivers Control Panels, backlit panels, annunciators, legend plates, and switch assemblies that can be integrated with LED backlighting, NVIS filtering, and switch integration. Ruggedization options include environmental sealing, vibration resistance, and UV stability, with MIL-DTL-7788, MIL-STD-3009 NVIS, and extended-temperature environmental properties.

At a Glance

Key specifications at a glance
Certifications	MIL-DTL-7788, QPL-7788, MIL-STD-3009 NVIS
Program Fit	Aerospace, Defense, Simulation
Core Strengths	Illuminated Panels, NVIS, Integrated Wiring
Typical Deliverables	Control Panels, Annunciators, Legend Plates
Volume Range	High Mix to High Volume

Illuminated Panels

Control Panels

Control Panels are integrally illuminated light plates that make up aircraft flight control systems. Each Control Panel is designed to serve a particular function and built to house components at the Control Panel Assembly (CPA) level. Designed, built, tested, and qualified in accordance with MIL-DTL-7788, DO-160 and/or customer (MIL/Comm Aero) specifications.

Integrated Control Panels

Control Panel Assemblies (CPAs) incorporate Control Panels (CPs) with functioning hardware to produce units that act and operate to customer needs. Designed, built, tested, and qualified in accordance with MIL-DTL-7788, DO-160 and/or customer (MIL/Comm Aero) specifications. Solder workmanship is performed in compliance with IPC J-STD-001. Solder and assembly acceptance is certified to IPC-A-610. Wire and harness acceptance is certified to IPC/WHMA-A-620.

Specific Control Panel Types

Type III

Type III panels are single piece lighted panels made from MIL-SPEC stock that mate to aircraft provided lighting.

Panels consisting of one sheet of plastic utilizing MIL-DTL-6363/8 lamps in MS25010 light assemblies for illumination.
Most Type III panels are obsolete due to new technology but Polytronix can manufacture and produce them. All type III panels can be updated to types IV or V using adapter plug MIL-DTL-32385/7 (MS90335-9).

Type IV

Type IV panels are single piece lighted panels with built-in lighting with a standardized connector to the aircraft. These can operate at 5v or 28v and be manufactured with several backlit colors.

Integrally wired incandescent panels with 5V or 28V input voltages.

Type V

Type V panels are illuminated panels designed with a removable and replaceable lighting assembly mounted to the rear of the panel. This design improves maintainability and allows for easier servicing or upgrades without replacing the entire panel assembly. Available in 5V or 28V configurations with multiple lighting and filter options.

Integrally wired panels having replaceable lamps with 5V or 28V input voltages.
Panels consisting of a front sheet with attached printed circuit board containing lamps, circuitry, and connectors.

Type VI

Type VI panels utilize electroluminescent (EL) lighting technology to provide uniform, low-profile illumination with reduced power consumption and heat generation. These panels are commonly used in applications requiring thin construction, even lighting distribution, and enhanced night-vision compatibility.

Panels consisting of one sheet of plastic with encapsulated EL lamps or a combination of EL lamps.
Type VI panels consist of a panel blank with encapsulated electroluminescent lighting elements.
EL technology provides smooth, evenly distributed illumination with minimal hot spots and improved reliability.

Type VII

Type VII panels are illuminated panels that utilize LED lighting technology mounted on a replaceable rear circuit board assembly. These panels provide increased reliability, longer service life, lower power consumption, and improved lighting performance compared to incandescent-based panel designs. Available in 5V or 28V configurations with multiple color and dimming options.

Integrally wired panels having replaceable LEDs with 5V or 28V input voltages.
Panels consisting of a plastic front sheet with an attached printed circuit board containing LEDs, circuitry, and connectors.
LED illumination provides enhanced durability, reduced maintenance requirements, and uniform lighting distribution for modern aircraft applications.

Relevant Applications

Flightworthy and Simulated (Trainers) Aircraft

Flightworthy and Simulated (trainers) Aircrafts include all airplanes, helicopters, or any other machines, both military and commercial, that are capable of flight and platforms or simulators that simulate a representation of an airplane, helicopter, or any other machine capable of flight for the purpose of training or presentation. The only things that separate the two are:

Customer specifications/requirements that enable/deem the product flightworthy.
All flightworthy Control Panels components need sufficient testing and must meet requirements of certain Specifications and Standards.

Explore Aerospace & Defense

Standards and Compliance

Standards and Performance Features

QPL-7788 - Qualified Products List for illuminated panels.
Environmental sealing, vibration resistance, UV stability, and extended-temperature environmental properties.
MIL-DTL-7788, MIL-STD-3009 NVIS, MIL-STD-461, and MIL-STD-810.
LED, electroluminescent, or incandescent backlighting.
Night vision compliant per MIL-L-85762A and MIL-STD-3009.
Unlimited flexibility in nomenclature fonts, languages, and symbols.
Built-in annunciators and indicators.

Discuss Your Instrument Panel Requirements

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Quality & Compliance

Polytronix maintains active third-party registrations across three U.S. facilities and international operations. Certifications are audited annually by accredited registrars.

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AS9100D
ISO 9001
ISO 13485
ISO 14001
IATF 16949
ITAR
UL
IPC
FAA 145
EASA Part 145