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Monthly Archives: May 2014

Business Aviation Services ProvidersCurrent customers of BaseOps International will be able to look forward to utilising a new flight planning portal from June 2014. The company announced the forthcoming launch at the Geneva EBACE this week.

The web-based system will enable customers to plan routes and file the flight plans in addition to access NOTAMs and weather information, pre-order fuel and arrange aircraft handling, catering, hotels and even rental cars.

Web-based flight planning tools and services can assist military and business aircraft operators, providing secure and flexible solutions that are easily accessible from portable devices.

Other flight support services and flight planning tools providers, such as ARINC Direct for business aviation, bring packages that can be tailored to each individual customer, whether for a fleet of executive jets or for a single private aircraft.

Find out more about airport operations The Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) initiative, due to be launched by EUROCONTROL and ACI Europe early next year will attempt to gain the most from the current airways infrastructure that is threatening to be overwhelmed by 2035.

Airport operations must work closely with air traffic management departments to ensure that all departments have access to critical data sharing to enable the initiative to work at its utmost effectiveness.

This can be achieved, according to Lockheed Martin, by the implementation of airport operations software that will centralise key elements of data sharing and process management.

Lockheed Martin have developed Chroma Airport Suite to help make this process easier, similarly to ARINC’s Enterprise Hub web-based system.

Airport operations can benefit from web-based applications, giving customers the flexibility that they need to manage changing business and operational requirements and can aid a cost-sharing initiative to manage cost efficiencies across the entire messaging environment.

As the industry experiences growth, year-on-year, sharing data and information is becoming a necessity and web-based services can ensure streamlined messaging platforms that enable data sharing at source. This process in turn can optimise the A-CDM initiative with information at the fingertips of those who need it.

Business Aviation ServicesA couple of former Embraer executives have formed a new leasing business in Dubai to provide simple and straightforward executive jet aircraft leasing to business aviation. The company was launched at EBACE last week.

The new company, Veling Tayara is a part of the airline leasing company, Veling, based in Mauritius and headed by Nirvan Veerasamy, former chief of Air Mauritius.

Ernie Edwards and Colin Steven, both former executives of Embraer Executive Jets are setting out to bring new types of leasing structures with simplified financing that will offer far more flexibility, allowing clients to upgrade or change the agreement as their businesses change.

Mr Edwards said, “Our structured finance model provides more than just an operating lease package for a client’s business jet. Instead of tying up an owner’s cash, an operating lease will permit the owner to invest in appreciating assets instead of depreciating capital equipment.”

“Together, my board and I believe there is a service we can provide the business jet financing world that places the client in the enviable position of not having to worry about aircraft disposal at the end of the lease. At that time, the operator can have the simple choice of either extending the lease or returning the aircraft. It’s as simple as that.”

“Veling Tayara will remove the burden of owning the asset and provide inherent options throughout the lease period. It will provide flexible operating leases designed to clients’ individual needs, permitting upgrades to larger, newer aircraft as the business grows,” said Mr Steven.

Honda Business JetHondaJet, a production model designed to carry up to seven passengers and crew in style has been unveiled at EBACE in Geneva this week. This much-anticipated debut from Honda was well-received, with the company proudly announcing several milestone achievements.

Honda, who have nine aircraft on the final assembly lines, said that the jet is ready for ground testing, having recently taken delivery of the first GE Honda HF120 engines. The first flights are expected to take place this summer.

“Honda Aircraft Co.’s most important goals are achieving Federal Aviation Administration Type Certification and delivering the first customer aircraft,” said Michimasa Fujino, president and chief executive. The final certification stages began in December 2013.

“The HondaJet production line is maturing with efficient and robust processes in place to build high quality aircraft,” Fujino said. “From handheld tablets that deliver worker instructions to an automatic guided cart to pick up and deliver parts, we continue to integrate the latest technology into our production process to create an efficient workflow.”

Automated Border Control BenefitsAtlanta International Airport have unveiled the latest in automated passport control in conjunction with the US Customs and Border Protection authority. The kiosks will operate in concourses E & F and will be available to passengers with Electronic System for Travel Authorization approval.

The system allows such passengers to submit their Customs Declaration and other travel and personal information electronically, which will reduce the time they will be required to spend with a CBP officer. The average reduction will be 20-40% in waiting time and will greatly improve efficient expedition of these passengers.

As passenger numbers grow across the globe on a yearly basis, many airports are looking into electronic border control solutions to increase passenger processing, while maintaining security. Ground delays are kept to a minimum, as ‘safe’ passengers can be expedited, leaving more time for border agencies to screen other travellers.

“These new kiosks will go a long way to improve the overall experience for our international customers coming into Atlanta because they provide a more efficient process for exiting customs,” said John Laughter, senior vice president for Delta`s Corporate Safety, Security and Compliance. “We strive to provide our customers with an enjoyable travel experience through all aspects of our operation including Customs and Border Protection checkpoints.”

Business Jet Just before the opening of Geneva EBACE this year, two major aviation companies announced the launch of new, longer-range business jets, both set to be ready for the markets in early 2015.

The Gulfstream G650ER, an upgraded version of the popular G650, is undergoing FAA certification and will share the same cabin, systems and avionics, but will have a capacity of 7,500 nautical miles, the longest range of its class, according to Gulfstream.

“The G650ER provides our customers with greater mission flexibility and the longest range of any business jet,” Scott Neal, Gulfstream senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, said in a statement. “It’s the only aircraft in the world capable of travelling 7,500 n.m.”

Dassault have announced the development of the Falcon 8X, the sixth in the family, including the Falcon 5X that is still in development. The Falcon 8X will have a capacity to carry eight passengers and three crew, with the longest cabin of any other Falcon. With a range of 6,450 nautical miles, the aircraft will also have the longest range of the Falcon family.

Certification is expected at the beginning of 2016 for the Falcon 8X with deliveries to follow before the end of that year.

Airline Operational Messaging with CPDLCL2 Consulting Services Inc have announced the grant of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) validation from EASA to install Iridium Satellite Communications System of NextGen Aircraft 737-700/800/900/900ER.

L2 will now be able to offer European customers a fully certified NxtLink ICS-220A and IRT-2120 communications system that will give the flight crew a dedicated datalink channel, supporting Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC), FANS messaging, ACARS messaging and global voice channel.

Vice President of Operations for L2, Dean Rudolph said, “An EASA STC validation is required for European operators integrating FAA certified systems. We are delighted to now offer our European customers a fully certified Iridium Communications solution on the B737NG series aircraft.”

Aviation Information Sharing ProvidersAviation information needs to be shared across a growing number of partners to ensure efficient day-to-day operational productivity.

The meteorology department of Qatar’s CAA has selected Polycom to build a communications infrastructure to allow the sharing of information across IP/ISDN networks with external government and private agencies, in addition to ports, shipping offices and fuel providers across the country.

Signed by the CAA, the deal will provide two complete Polycom RPX systems with four screens at two locations and conferencing systems that will encourage inter-departmental collaboration.

A web-based messaging environment, such as ARINC’s AviNet, allows cost-effective information sharing across all partners, including the delivery of ACARS messages, aviation weather data and updates to flight plans.

Other Aircraft Internet ProvidersAs the demands for aircraft internet rise amongst passengers, in-flight WiFi communications providers are beginning to see a rise in revenue with Gogo Inc reporting an increase of 35% for the first quarter of this year, amounting to $95.7 million.

“We have proven our leadership in bringing more bandwidth to any aircraft type no matter where it flies,” said Michael Small, Gogo CEO. “In addition Gogo has uniquely positioned itself as a full-service communications provider to the global aviation industry. There’s a sensational demand for connectivity on every face of the earth,” he said. “It’s not surprising that it’s the same demand in the air too.”

Business passengers have had high expectations of aircraft connectivity for some time, according to business aviation providers, ARINC Direct. Faster broadband speeds and global connections are essential for the ‘office-in-the-sky’ needs and competitiveness in the business sector is rising as more operators strive for better services for their passengers.

Other Types of Aviation ConsultancyAviation Consultants Inc began with nothing but an idea to build a corporate aviation business at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport after realising that there was a gap in the market. Bill Borgsmiller lived out of his office and began building his dream in the hope of achieving success that had nagged at him since he was a small boy.

After some years of hard work and an eye for detail, the company reputation is soaring with his 85-strong staff and a growth of 50% since 2009.

“It has been little steps at a time,” said Borgsmiller, recalling that those early years living on the west side of the airport made him “appreciate what I have.”

Growth in the business aviation industry is tough, with competition at a premium. Mr Borgsmiller believes that his success is largely down to his determination to provide quality service with attention to the small details. Maintenance, fuel and flight support services providers must ensure reliability to enable operational productivity.

Aviation messaging is critical to keep down time to a minimum and to maintain a constant flow of critical data amongst all partners. Type B messaging can be confusing and costly if it is not handled correctly. Aviation consultants can help operators to understand these messaging networks and allow information sharing that can streamline the entire process.