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Monthly Archives: August 2013

LOT Polish Airlines, long-term customer of ARINC Inc, has chosen GLOBALink ACARS data link program for the provision of essential communications for its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.  LOT Polish Airlines is the first European operator of the Dreamliner, which heralds a new design of lighter passenger jets.

“We are delighted to support our valued customer LOT Polish Airlines as they bring new benefits to their passengers through the introduction of the 787 fleet,” said Alexis Hickox, Senior Director, Aviation Solutions, at ARINC EMEA. “We believe the cost saving benefits they have received from using GLOBALink ACARS in the past will prove equally compelling in the future.”

ARINC currently provide GLOBALink ACARS data link services for reliable messaging and the new contract will seamlessly integrate the 787 data link programme into ARINC’s data link management system and with LOT’s existing fleet.

“ARINC has been providing LOT with industry leading technology for over a decade,” notes Tomasz Balcerzak, Board Member for Operations and Maintenance at LOT Polish Airlines. “We are pleased with the entire portfolio of ARINC services and look forward to many future years of working together.”

 

data link communicationsThe much-talked-about and Rockwell Collins’ largest deal yet, the purchase of ARINC Inc for nearly $1.4 billion, will give them its fundamental data link communications connection to the FAA’s NextGen System.

ARINC is an industry-leading name in the field of aviation communications and this will increase Rockwell Collins’ immediate revenue potential by over 10%, with the commercial from 50% to 54% and next year’s military to 46%, which, it is said, is key for the company with declining military sales figures.

ARINC is most famously known as the pioneers of the ACARS messaging service and leads the way with their provision of air-ground digital VHF communications for airlines and business jets, flight support services, airport communications and the vMUSE platforms for passenger processing and the hugely successful self-check in operations.

Rockwell Collins hold more important ideas for the future with the increase in data link communications connectivity between cabins and flight decks with the ground, as the FAA’s NextGen plan will include the expansion of further data link communications; real-time weather information and re-routing plans and all-but replacing voice transmission.

“There is no doubt the digital information exchange will continue to expand at a rapid rate,” says Rockwell Collins CEO Kelly Ortberg, adding that the acquisition “substantially expands Rockwell Collins’ position in the growing aviation information-management space.”

The sale is expected to be finalized later this year, approximately 90 days after the acquisition announcement on August 11th.

Forty seven world leaders attended the meeting in Washington last month in a bid to discuss nuclear security improvements of global nuclear facilities.  In addition, the importance of the prevention of Nuclear Terrorism was a hot topic for discussion.

A target goal of four years was set by the meeting, convened by President Obama.  Although no binding commitments were made, many leaders outline steps they are prepared to take towards the advancement of nuclear security.

The U.S. feel that the first priority is to ensure that all nuclear facilities and materials on home ground are secure.

Measures will include the implementation of international treaties ad support for the UN Security Council.  All nuclear materials should remain secure and accounted for, with a consolidation aspect for peaceful purposes only.  Strong nuclear security practices need to be realised for the nuclear industry to remain secure while in operation in the private sector, for example, for nuclear fuel research projects and detection methods.

Physical nuclear security measures can be enforced within all sectors and several companies offer secure, reliable and efficient solutions, such as ARINC Inc, with their PSIM services and ARINC Advanced Information Management system (AIM).

The world leaders are taking firm steps into a safer and more peaceful future.

Germany’s Munich Airport has awarded the contract for their new baggage handling system in terminal 2 to Siemens, it was recently announced.

baggage handling systemThe airport plans to increase the capacity of their baggage handling system as they expect passenger numbers to rise significantly by 2015.  Once the new building is completed, it will enable a passenger throughflow of up to 11 million additional yearly passengers.

“In this way, our customers can ensure the same reliability and speed as before, despite the growing volume of traffic and stricter security requirements,” said Siemens Business Unit Logistics and Airport Solutions CEO Jorg Ernst.

The project will be launched in three phases over the next two years and is expected to enhance operational productivity for the airport by a third upon completion of the entire new project, making Munich Airport one of the most efficient in Europe.

Other Automated Baggage Handling System providers such as ARINC Inc realise that the global self-service check-in revolution is definitely the way forward.  Passenger experience is greatly enhanced, giving the passenger more control over their journey and reducing waiting times, while airports feel the benefit of improved efficiency, cost effectivity and better use of terminal space.

It was recently announced that Comtech PST Corp has received orders to the tune of $1.9 million for high-powered amplifiers.  The orders are reported to be from a leading satellite communications systems and electronics provider, although the source has not been named yet.

Passenger Communications - Satellite Communications

The amps form part of SATCOM systems for air-to-satellite-to-ground aviation satellite communications and allow access to Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband, Aero-H and Aero-I services.  Access to the satellite communications network gives multi-channel voice, data and fax capabilities for commercial and business aviation satellite communications in both flight deck and cabin areas of the aircraft.

Fred Kornberg, CEO and President of Comtech Telecommunications Corporation, said, “These orders are ongoing evidence of our capabilities in delivering innovative commercial aircraft amplifier products as well as the robust demand of commercial aerospace market. We are proud of our long-standing relationship with this premier supplier of aviation satellite communications systems.”

SATCOM systems onboard aircraft can offer airlines great flexibility when it comes to satellite communications services.  On the flight deck and cabin alike, the growing demand for seamless, high quality communications drives a need for reliability.

Aviation satellite communications service providers, such as ARINC, strive to continually stay ahead, furnishing the industry with innovative solutions for flight operations and passenger communications.

emirates executive private jet charterFollowing the launch of Emirates Private Jet Service, customers can now book their luxury travel online in a tailored experience from Emirates Executive.  The Airbus 319, spacious and luxurious aircraft offers high standards and new technology to meet the needs of even the most discerning passengers.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president of planning, aeropolitical & industry affairs said, “Emirates Executive elevates the high standards and quality of Emirates that our customers have come to expect, with the flexibility and luxury that can only be offered by a private jet chartered flight.”

The Emirates Executive website gives visitors a chance to view a video showing the private jet aircraft that can seat up to 19 passengers and the premium features before allowing them to book the private charter travel experience that they require.

From private suites to a large lounge area, Emirates Executive offers versatility for corporations and private jet customers with two main on-board zones.

A dining and executive lounge is designed for 12 people, where passengers can enjoy a full menu of multi-course options with hot and cold beverages.  This zone also incorporates a work area, offering mobile phone connectivity, high-speed internet and video conferencing facilities.  The ‘rest zone’ with large sofas, four tables and two 42” LCD screens, has live TV and up to 1,500 on-demand channels.

There are ten private suites on-board, each equipped with a full lie-flat seat and 32” LCD TV screens.  As if that were not enough luxury, the suites are complemented by a shower spa with floor heating system.

Emirates know how to do sumptuous luxury and are aiming their new service at the growing demand for private jet travel in the sector.  Their high quality of service and attention to detail have long been associated with Emirates and Emirates Executive takes this one step further.

Yasava and MCM Design have taken the business jet cabin into the future with its ‘intelligent ergonomics and socio-cultural design’ showing dramatic interior proposals for large-cabin business jets.

The incredible design from the joint venture of Yasava Solutions and MCM Design Studio, both based in Switzerland, features separated the business jet cabin zones with louvers that can create privacy barriers, or when open, a spacious interior.

The three zones include a staff cabin, main cabin and a lounge area with sofa-type seat that converts into a double bed.  There is also a full galley kitchen and a bathroom with a stand-up shower.

The designers offer a fully customisable business jet cabin interior with individual seat control units for the electrically articulated Aiana seats.

Milena Cvijanovich, creative director of MCM Design Studio, said, “Clients now expect their space to conform to their lifestyle and not the other way around.”

The beautiful cabin interior clearly shows the comforts that business jet owners can expect from executive travel in the future.

business jet cabin

In light of the upcoming deadlines for CPDLC mandatory regulations, it is necessary for upgrades to be carried out to ensure compliance.

Ruag Aviation technicians have completed their first upgrade in a Falcon 900EX using Honeywell’s EASy II avionics suite.  The EASy flight deck, based upon the Primus Epic avionics system from Honeywell, includes SmartView synthetic vision system (SVS) with HUD symbology displayed on PDFs.

CPDLC, or Controller-Pilot-Data-Link Communications supplements voice communications between ATC and pilots, increasing air traffic management and safety aspects as routine tasks can be automated.  This will reduce the workload in the cockpit and further add to safety concerns with fewer errors or misinterpretation of radio messaging.

The use of CPDLC is mandatory already in specified airspace and is the future of aviation communication in the congested airways above Europe.

ARINC have successfully completed Phase 1 of the testing for a new P25 public safety radio system for Lancaster County, which will be a welcome replacement for the current 30-year old technology and bring mission-critical communications up-to-the-minute.

mission critical communicationsThe tests were passed with flying colours, with fire fighters and 911 dispatchers present for the background noise demonstration.  The demonstration was a sight to see, with a recreation of the likely noise levels that would occur in a real fire emergency – although it was noted that the noise levels far exceeded those of a ‘normal’ emergency situation.

The clarity of the radio system, which was tested with radios from four manufacturers and with Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and Personal Alert Safety System alarm with and without amplifiers was much improved, and the mission-critical communications could clearly be heard over the noise of two fire trucks, two smoke clearing fans and a chainsaw running at full throttle!

The $20 million contract was awarded to ARINC in August 2012 and the implementation of the system will significantly improve communications with emergency responders across Lancaster County and beyond, into surrounding counties where mutual aid is provided by multiple agencies.

“The sound quality of the ARINC systems is exceptional and will enable fire fighters and other first responders to avoid the breakdowns in communication that can hinder effectiveness,” said Michael Weaver, Lancaster County’s 911 Director. “We are extremely pleased with the ARINC system.”

ARINC Inc provides secure solutions for mission-critical communications across the world, offering peace of mind to public and government authorities, commercial and business aviation.

amelia earhartEveryone knows the name of Amelia Earhart, the famous aviation pioneer who was the first female pilot to make a solo flight across the Atlantic in 1932.

Her famed disappearance in 1937 as she approached Howland Island, during a round-the-world flight has remained the subject of much discussion and fascination over the years.

Her namesake, Denver traffic reporter, Amelia Rose Earhart is planning to recreate the flight next year in a Pilatus PC-12NG.  She has been a pilot since 2004 and expects her flight to last for 100 hours with 14 stops along the way.

Rose Earhart hopes her epic flight will motivate teenage girls to think about aviation careers.  Her ‘Fly with Amelia’ foundation, a non-profit organization based in Colorado provides flight scholarships for young women aged 16-18 and a range of opportunities for young people in aviation.

Amelia’s co-pilot will be Patrick Carter and the pair plan to set off in June next year.