Virtual Test Rack

Context

Virtual Test Rack (VTR) is the testing layer of AERENA's aviation DevOps lifecycle, bridging in-flight entertainment (IFE) configuration and aircraft deployment.

Testing previously required physical aircraft hardware: expensive and impossible remotely. VTR simulates the full stack, allowing engineers to test application and system behaviour on the ground.

Key Challenge

• Testing complexity at scale: Testing a single app vs. a full aircraft configuration required different workflows. The challenge was defining an MVP that worked for both.
• Infrastructure constraints: Workflows had to align with upstream services and backend architecture while remaining usable for developers.
• Accurate aircraft simulation: VTR needed to replicate aircraft behaviour realistically, with accurate flight state control for developers to test and debug.

My Role & Approach

I worked directly with engineers and system architects to define the testing workflow, which became the MVP scope:

Create instance → Configure → Inject flight state → Monitor → Validate

Design & Solution

VTR manages infrastructure complexity through focused, task-specific interfaces:

• Instance Management: Full lifecycle for creating and managing app instances and virtual aircraft environments from a single dashboard.
• Flight API (FAPI): Interface for injecting real flight data and controlling aircraft states, enabling engineers to test behaviour across flight scenarios.
• Service Monitoring & Error Handling: Real-time service status via side panel, logs, and state-specific recovery guidance for provisioning failures.
• Release Workflow: Preview layer connecting configuration to production deployment.

Outcome & Impact

VTR replaced physical test racks with a cloud-based simulation environment, enabling engineers to test the full IFE stack remotely from their laptops.

Testing moved from a hardware-bound process to an on-demand developer workflow, significantly accelerating iteration within the AERENA ecosystem.

Deployed as part of the AERENA suite on Discover Airlines' A320 aircraft.