Archive

Monthly Archives: May 2014

Inmarsat Offer Free Aircraft Tracking

May 12, 2014
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Global Flight Support Services ProvidersInmarsat, the British satellite company that suggested the new search area for flight MH370, has offered its current customers free basic aircraft tracking in light of the tragedy.

Inmarsat have 11,000 commercial passenger aircraft amongst its customers, equipped with their satellite technology and have made their offer as an immediate address to the subject of aircraft tracking that has graced many boardroom tables since the aircraft was reported missing.

“This offer responsibly, quickly and at little or no cost to the industry, addresses in part the problem brought to light by the recent tragic events around MH370,” said Inmarsat CEO, Rupert Pearce.

In addition, Inmarsat have discussed the provision of an ‘in-cloud black box’ system that would be capable of streaming historic and real-time flight data, including cockpit voice recording. The ICAO will be taking these discussions further during the meeting in Montreal this week to discuss the technological requirements for the provision of the necessary equipment to ensure that the tragic events of MH370 are not repeated.

A set of standards are expected to be released following these talks, which will be attended by more than 40 representatives of all areas of aviation, airports, ATS and airlines.

ARINC Airport Solutions Showcased at Dubai Airport Show

May 11, 2014
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

AviNet Airport Solutions

Rockwell Collins will be demonstrating the best features of their ARINC airport solutions at this year’s Dubai Airport Show on stand 8310.

“The Dubai Airport Show is an important platform for us to engage with new and potential customers – especially as we continue to invest and grow in the region,” said Tony Lynch, Middle East Director, Information Management Services for Rockwell Collins. “We’re looking forward to many productive meetings at the show, and demonstrating how our innovative airport technologies can help manage airport costs and improve processes.”

Rockwell Collins will be exhibiting highlights of the Airport Solutions package, with cost-effective shared check-in features, such as:

• Multiple airline support
• Cloud-based common check-in
• Touchscreen Wayfinding
• Airport Operational Suite – as part of the CDM initiative
• Security & surveillance solutions
• Legacy & CUPPS application support
• Common-use biometric passenger processing

All these features and more will provide advanced solutions for the airport of tomorrow, offering flexibility and enhanced operational activity with cost-sharing initiatives for all sized operations.

Cabin Communications Training for Flight Crews

May 8, 2014
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Leading Cabin Services ProvidersFlight crews and maintenance personnel will now be able to receive cabin communications training from Satcom Direct in a partnership with FlightSafety at the Teterboro Learning Centre in an expansion of their current training program in Georgia.

The aim is to provide cabin communications equipment training in a demonstration of how the satellite and equipment functions and operates in order for cabin crews to better assist passengers with the operation of the IFE systems and for maintenance crews to learn to troubleshoot.

“Students will have a hands-on experience just like they would in the aircraft,” said Scott Hamilton, Satcom Direct chief strategy officer. “They’ll learn how to optimize computers and mobile devices for satellite internet and voice communications.”

Using the very latest equipment from Inmarsat and Iridium, in addition to the Satcom Direct systems, students will learn how to deal with inoperative equipment whilst in-flight, enabling minor issues to be ironed out with minimal disruption to the service.

Cabin communications providers offer seamless connectivity for passengers and crew with Internet access for in-flight entertainment.

$6.4 Million Contract for Nairobi International Airport to Include Information Management System

May 7, 2014
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Physical Security Solutions Providers for AviationIt has been announced that multinational security company, Magal Security Systems Ltd, have been awarded a $6.4 million contract to provide physical security measures and an information management system in Nairobi International Airport by 2015.

In addition to security fencing upgrades and multiple surveillance technology, Magal will install an advanced PSIM information management system to integrate and manage the security improvements.

President and CEO of Magal S3, said, “Over the past two years, we have successfully delivered a number of security projects for critical national assets in Kenya, demonstrating how excellence in performance and successful deliveries lead to significant further business. We are proud to be employed by this prestigious national customer and remain committed to supplying the latest technology with the highest standards of execution.”

The announcement follows recent speculation of the release of funds from the Kenyan government to invest in the much-needed improvements to airport security across the country.

Philippines Implementation of APIS to Improve Passenger Travel

May 7, 2014
Business Aviation News
1 Comment

Providers of secure, reliable APIS deliveryIn a bid to make the travel experience for passengers as smooth as possible, the Philippines will make the implementation of Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) next year. Carried out jointly with the Department of Justice, Department of Budget and Management Bureau of Immigration, the vital data concerning all passengers will be assessed between 120 hours to 15 minutes prior to departure.

Aside from the security aspects of reliable APIS, the Philippines have long been struggling with efficiencies on the ground, as flights tend to arrive quickly, in succession. The long ground delays have been a problem, causing chaos within terminals as passengers endure queues, hold-ups in baggage areas and a lack of trolleys.

Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. said, “The ideal travel experience is one without interruption. We want the entry of travellers into the Philippines to become as smooth and seamless as possible so we need an efficient tool such as an electronic API. This would avoid long queue in our airports, as we can already identify passengers who are ‘bad’ or ‘good.’ But, of course, we have to have a balance between border control/security with that of ease of entry into our airports.”

The benefits of APIS are clear to see and easy to implement. “All we have to do is to synchronize the system with that of the Philippines government. It will be up to the Philippines authorities to align their systems with the airline companies’ systems,” explained Roberto Lim, IATA Country Manager for the Philippines.

Streamlining passenger processes are just one of the advantages of APIS implementation. The ability to screen passengers in advance gives the authorities the opportunity to spot ‘at risk’ travellers and expedite ‘safe’ ones. Providers of APIS technology offer secure and reliable ways of APIS delivery across the world.

Dubai Airport Show – Baggage Handling System Demonstration by Beumer Group

May 6, 2014
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Baggage Handling Systems ProvidersDuring the Dubai Airport Show this year, Beumer Group Company, Crisplant, will demonstrate their latest in-tote automated baggage handling system. The system uses a ‘one-bag-one-tote’ idea to effectively allow the baggage to be checked-in, screened and sorted, then ‘tipped’ at the point of baggage discharge.

The new system, CrisBag, is easily integrated into new and legacy systems and is designed to give high levels of operational efficiency.

Other baggage handling systems providers, such as ARINC, believe that automated baggage handling systems should bring enhanced operational productivity to the airport terminal and allow effective screening to maintain optimal security, while streamlining the entire baggage handling process to offer comprehensive, end-to-end efficiency across the entire check in procedure.

Passengers have high expectations today of their travel arrangements. No longer are we prepared for long delays, queues and no longer is it necessary. With common use check in desks, self service kiosks and updated automated baggage handling, passenger check in queuing is becoming a thing of the past in airports, large and small, across the globe.

New Global Communications SATCOM System Launched

May 6, 2014
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Providers of Global Communications for Flight TrackingCanadian aerospace company, Flyht has launched a new portable SATCOM system, based on Iridium network technology that promises global communications at low prices for the aviation industry. At an initial cost of less than $10,000, the Dragon system will allow pilots and passengers to communicate for less, with no certification needed.

Using iPads, pilots and passengers will be able to use the Dragon iPad app to make telephone calls, send and receive emails and texts. The App will also be utilised by ground-based operations to deliver NOTAMs and weather updates to the cockpit, globally, via the Iridium satellite network.

As the world of aviation requests global flight tracking in the wake of flight MH370’s disappearance, the advent of the Dragon could not be better timed. With its ability to feed ASD systems, the Dragon is capable of flight following and has been tested by Chinese company, Aircraft Data Communication for input into its global aircraft management system.

Real-time flight tracking and delivery of automated OOOI messages is set to be high on many operators agenda’s this year. Other providers of technology based upon the Iridium network, particularly in the world of business aviation, are stepping up in the face of the competition.

‘Got Weather?’ Safety Campaign Launched by FAA & GA Pilots

May 4, 2014
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

aviation weatherAn eight-month weather safety campaign has been launched this week at the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering in Anchorage, with an aim to help pilots prepare for weather issues that may arise over the coming year. The campaign, entitled ‘Got Weather?’ is to be managed by a partnership between the FAA and the GA community and will deal will a focus weather topic each month via an online portal, in addition to safety seminars and case studies.

Aviation accidents caused by adverse weather are amongst the most frequent across the world with almost 75% of these resulting in fatalities. The campaign will discuss turbulence issues, icing, high winds and thunderstorms as part of the initiative to bring enhanced awareness to GA pilots.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said, “General aviation is a vibrant part of our country’s culture and our economy, but too many lives are lost each year in general aviation crashes related to weather. This campaign will help ensure that our general aviation pilots are prepared in the face of bad weather and are as safe and well-trained as possible.”

“The link between aviation safety and weather is something that can never be overemphasized,” said vice president of safety and advocacy for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Sean Elliott. “Understanding weather and how it affects your planned flight is essential, and that’s why EAA supports this safety initiative for all aviators.”

The official launch date for ‘Got Weather?’ is 4th May and is expected to run until December.

 

Automated Baggage Handling Improves Passenger Experience

May 3, 2014
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Automated Baggage Handling ProvidersThere is little doubt that airports with automated baggage handling provide a smooth, enhanced experience for passengers, reducing waiting times and streamlining the flow of baggage and passengers through the check-in system.

As many of us use some form of self-service check-in process, the advent of the one-stop kiosk is proving to be a huge benefit to those of us who wish to remain in control of every step of our journey.

Keeping it simple is the key. Easy-to-operate systems must be installed to enable even the virgin traveller to handle their own check-in with no fuss. The latest CUTE systems provide a comprehensive check-in system that has clear, simple instructions on a touch-screen interface that enables the passenger to;

  • Check in                 
  • Receive a boarding card and baggage tag
  • Attach the baggage tag
  • Place baggage in the kiosk, where it can be weighed, scanned and sent into the baggage handling system

Automated baggage handling system providers, such as ARINC, use the latest technology to provide just that. Simple, easy-to-operate systems that ensure that the baggage follows the passenger to their destination, including connecting flights, with the help of RF tagging is becoming essential to operational productivity.

The latest automated baggage handling systems are able to keep track of baggage with RF readers at critical points along the track, such as merging points and separators, which ensures that baggage can be verified and expedited along the correct route, even with business passenger baggage, that tends to arrive much closer to departure time.

As airports are being placed under greater pressure with the increase in passenger flow, particularly at peak times, Common Use Terminal Equipment is the answer to the expedition of the check-in process and automated baggage handling systems are growing in popularity across the globe.

Kenya to Boost Aviation Security at Major Airports

May 2, 2014
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Visit Aviation Security ProvidersIt appears that the Kenyan government are preparing plans for funding to be released at the start of their new financial year to provide upgraded security for major airports around the country. The largest portion of the funding, rumoured to be in the region of 6.4 billion Kenya Shillings, will be invested in upgraded perimeter fencing to improve physical security and the installation of additional CCTV equipment.

Although security measures are in need at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), it is yet to be confirmed whether the much-bemoaned multi-security point access system will be upgraded to provide better, single point access for the new Terminal four. According to the Transport Cabinet secretary, Kamau, the new terminal should be open by the end of the summer and will increase capacity at JKIA by several million passengers, which will hopefully give rise to the full refurbishment and awaited modernisation of Terminals 2 and 3, currently working as international departure terminals.

Physical security in airports across the country is the priority and upgrades to perimeter fencing are in dire need.