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Monthly Archives: February 2013

What the future holds for border security?

February 28, 2013
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Out in the news this week was a rather novel idea from the University of Arizona. Immigration interviews may never e the same again if the idea of automated lie detector tests takes off. The machine could ask the passenger a series of questions, and analyse different aspects of your behaviour: how your eyes are moving, how your voice changes, how you pause between answers, how you fidget.

Border Security Future

An image from a demonstration of the Embodied Avatar, from a video by BORDERS, the National Center for Border Security and Immigration at the University of Arizona.

The machine, an “Embodied Avatar kiosk” uses this data to assess how truthful your answers were. Whilst this is the latest technology in the field, it is unlikely to be at Gatwick in the near future. You are much more likely to start to see more of the automated border control systems in place!

In Flight Broadband – Good or Bad?

February 26, 2013
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ARINC Cabin ConnectIn the news again and again are the developments for inflight broadband. Some passenger groups hail it as an essential, other just see it as a rip off. One news report this week suggested that supply outweighed demand – but no commercial airline or private jet wants to be left behind the times.

This week we heard that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an order implementing Ku-band rules for the operation of satellite earth stations on aircraft enhancing competition and promote the widespread availability of Internet access to aircraft passengers – potentially starting the rise of low cost wifi on airplanes.

Providers to the aviation industry often differentiate their products by aircraft wifi for business aviation, and in flight wifi for commercial airlines.

Up until now, L-band licenses (1-2GHz) could be obtained from the FCC to offer connectivity to airborne aircraft over Mobile Satellite Services (MSS). The new rules will allow the FCC to process ESAA applications up to 50% faster and will speed the deployment of ubiquitous airborne broadband services, including Internet access.

Airlines Around the World Feeling The Squeeze

February 23, 2013
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This month we have heard another story of airline struggling to deal with costs. Chanchangi airline has said that high cost of aviation fuel in Nigeria is a huge setback for domestic airline operations.

Airlines now have to look at every aspect of their business in order to balance the books. There are lots of areas that you can make cut backs but using route optimisation as a part of flight planning is one, and getting a good deal on aviation messaging is another.

But even with these basics in place fuel remains crippling. Using a contract fuel supplier will help – but this year at the Avalon air show Australia showcased aviation biofuels as the roadmap for the future. More on that story later…

Australian aviation biofuels showcased at Avalon

Australian aviation biofuels showcased at Avalon – picture courtesy of ABC

Gulfstream G280 given Green Light from Europe

February 22, 2013
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Gulfstream

Gulfstream

European validation for the Gulfstream G280 business jet after Israel and the USA certificated the super-midsize aircraft. The G280 was introduced in 2008 as a replacement for the G200 is a 10-seat aircraft manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries in Tel Aviv and completed at Gulfstream’s headquarters in Savannah, USA. Gulfstream delivered 17 midsize-category jets – including the G280’s smaller stablemate the G150 – during 2012. This tally is expected to climb to 26 in 2013.

Mark Burns, Gulfstream president for product support said “The 250h internal testing programme – among the most extensive voluntary reliability programmes ever implemented by Gulfstream – incorporates pilot check rides, maintenance on auxiliary power units, engine run qualifications, technical operations, publications validations and basic servicing and handling at typical fixed-base operators.”

Gulfstream’s G280 business jet has recently set 15 new city-pair speed records as part of a company-driven programme to demonstrate the reliability of the super-midsize aircraft, the most significant from Aspen, Colorado, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and another from Honolulu to Savannah.

The G280 flew the 3,034km (1,640nm) from Aspen-Pitkin County airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport in 3h 21min, at an average speed of Mach 0.84. The G280 also achieved a flight of 7,630km from Honolulu to Savannah in 8h 19 min, at an average speed of Mach 0.80. Certificated by the US National Aeronautic Association and forwarded to the Switzerland-based Fédération Aéronautique Internationale for ratification as world records.

ARINC’s Passenger Processing Systems continue at MUC

February 20, 2013
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ARINC will continue to provide and maintain the adaptable vMUSE™ platform for the Common Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS). The long term relationship of ARINC and Munich began in 2003 and now to continue with ARINC’s CUPPS solution in MUC Terminal 2 until December 2014.

“We are impressed with the ARINC vMUSE platform and the support we have received over our long partnership. The ARINC team has regularly exceeded our agreed upon benchmarks and SLAs.” Said Marco Butz, Manager Technology and Infrastructure at Munich airport.

ARINC will continue to provide the premium on-site service and a centralized state-of-the-art firewall solution is due to follow during 2013. Tony Chapman ARINC Senior Director, Integrated Travel Solutions commented “We are delighted to continue working with one of our long-standing and valued customers, as we believe it reflects both the quality of our service and commitment to the highest standards of performance,” he continued “Munich Airport is focused on providing the best possible services for its customers, and ARINC’s technology helps make that achievable.”

Operators required to retrofit aircraft with VDLM2/ATN capable avionics

February 18, 2013
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Critical Aviation Communications (CPDLC)

Critical Aviation Communications (CPDLC)

The European Commission (EC) has published a framework for the adoption of VDLM2 for CPDLC communications in the form of a Data Link Services Implementing Rule (DLS IR). By this time next year airline operators will be required to retrofit their aircraft with VDLM2/ATN capable avionics, in order to comply with the DLS IR.

The DLS IR legislature is already coming into play – as of 1 January 2011, all new aircraft operating above Flight Level (FL) 285 to be delivered with a compliant system and as of 7 February 2013 the ten core European Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) will need to have implemented a compliant CPDLC ground infrastructure.

Assistance with compliance is essential and ARINC is ne of the suppliers that have publicised details of how they can help your airline become compliant with the new legislation.

ARINC has taken an active role in supporting industry bodies, airframe and avionics manufacturers, ANSPs, and operators, in ensuring that the benefits of the new technology are maximised for the Air Transport Industry. In this context the role of ARINC will evolve from a traditional DataLink Service Provider to an industry partner with years of experience and a history of quality customer support. To see dedicated information regarding this service please see the ARINC CPDLC site.

AirClub the World’s first charter alliance

February 15, 2013
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Thought to be the first cooperation between business operators, 8 Europe major business air charter companies have joined together to form a strategic alliance under the name of AirClub.

Christian Hatje, svp business aviation of PrivatAir and chairman of AirClub, says: “History has been made. AirClub is the first ever alliance of business jet operators and will operate more than 100 business jets. We will combine the strength, purchasing power and expertise of some of Europe’s leading players within the industry to provide clients with premium service, top aircraft availability and flexibility as well as the highest possible standard of safety and comfort.

Founding members ACM Air Charter, Air Alsie, Air Hamburg, Corporatejets, FlyingGroup, GlobeAir, Masterjet and PrivatAir aim to offer their customers flexibility and increase customer service. Based in seven different countries, AirClub will gather resources and knowledge, providing a wider range of solutions and tailored approaches to customers’ needs.

“We will strive to launch our own AirClub online booking system, allowing customers to choose from a vast, diversified fleet located all over Europe, as well as a special member’s programme to complement the latter early next year. Booking a private jet through our online system will be as easy as renting a car.” Continued Hatie.

“GlobeAir is very proud to be a part of the first, and so far only, corporate jet alliance. We are always looking for ways to upgrade our customer service and partnering with other operators offers our customers the benefit of an extended fleet. Said Mauro de Rosa, chief marketing officer Europe at GlobeAir AG and deputy chairman of AirClub, “AirClub is an absolute milestone in today’s business aviation and we are convinced it will further enhance our standing as an industry.”

ARINC Introduces Cyber Security Program

February 13, 2013
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Well know airline support company ARINC has been seen to be expanding on new areas of business. They announced that their Advanced Information Management (AIM®) Cyber Security Program is now available. Based on Nuclear Energy Institute’s (NEI) 08-09 Revision 6, a regulation which provides a program for achieving regulatory compliance to Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) rigorous regulations governing cyber security.

ARINC Advance Information Management

ARINC Advance Information Management

“ARINC is using both physical protection schemes and cyber protection appliances to give nuclear operators total cyber assurance,” said Frank Koren, Business Development Director of ARINC Security Systems. “Our turnkey solution provides nuclear power plant operators with the ability to mitigate cyber threats and to achieve NRC compliance now and in the future.”

Built on ARINC’s Advanced Information Management (AIM) Security Computer System platform, the new Cyber Security solution is an integrated assortment of tools and techniques designed to mitigate cyber-attacks under a variety of operational circumstances. The ARINC solution enables nuclear power plant operators to create a ‘defense-in-depth’ strategy which implements multiple layers of security controls to thwart cyber-attacks. Equally important in mitigating cyber-attacks, cyber programs must establish proactive cyber policies and procedure that continuously analyze the aggregation and correlation of network node information allowing IT staff to build in additional protective strategies as part of a proactive cyber program.

For more information please visit the ARINC AIM website.

FAA Issues Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment (AJF&E) for the COE

February 10, 2013
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) intends to establish an Air Transportation Center of Excellence (COE) for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment (AJF&E). Joining with leading university members and award matching grants to establish, operate and conduct research on alternative jet fuels and environmental matters. The FAA plan to create a cost sharing partnership between academic, industry, and government focusing on the aviation environmental and issues relating to alternative jet fuels.

After a public meeting held on November 15th and 16th 2012 with the FAA COE Program Office and the Office of Environment and Energy discussed the technical requirements, the COE legislative mandates and the competitive selection process. This Final Solicitation follows incorporating the public comments received.

ARINC’s AIM selected for Zion Nuclear Power Station Project

February 7, 2013
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ARINC was selected by EnergySolutions for the Zion Nuclear Power Station Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) Project. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Zion Nuclear Power Station is in the process of being decommissioned, and is the first Exelon Corporation installation that will use the AIM solution.

Patrick Daly, General Manager, Zion Nuclear Power Station said “We are pleased to partner with ARINC on this phase of the project to provide state of the art security and surveillance for the ISFSI structure,”

The Advanced Information Management (AIM®) SCS platform is compliant with CFR regulations as mandated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ARINC will provide its software for the Security Computers System (SCS) as the primary command and control platform for monitoring and control of Zion’s ISFSI facility.

Frank Koren, Product Director of ARINC Security Systems. “Our AIM SCS technology is widely used for security command and control applications at over forty (42) nuclear plants throughout the US and Canada. ”ARINC’s AIM SCS solution will provide the value, stability and performance Zion requires, now and in the future.”