French aircraft manufacturer, Dassault, has announced that its Falcon 8X business jet is now in the final stages of FAA and EASA certification.
After accumulating over 650 flight hours in 325 flights, the three 8x’s have almost completed the certification test requirements, and now begin to demonstrate performance and reliability in testing that will take them over Europe, the Middle East, Asia and America.
Dassault expect to begin making deliveries of the long-range jet aircraft this summer.
British satellite communications network, Inmarsat, has announced the award of an ESA contract to develop the European requirements for next-generation aircraft communications and air traffic management.
Inmarsat will head a team constructed from more than 30 aviation industry companies to ensure operational efficiency for the program, which will focus on the improvement of data link communications using satellite technology.
Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications, known simply as CPDLC, increases the efficiency of flights, and under the SESAR initiative, will allow operators access to approved routes which can also save fuel and flight time.
The introduction of CPDLC mandates by 2020 will relieve pilot and flight deck workload and greatly improve the congestion of European airspace, optimising route and airport capacity, and also reducing CO2 emissions.
More about CPDLC, from industry-leading Inmarsat partner-providers.
Passengers at Berlin Schonefeld Airport (SXF) will soon benefit from an efficient check-in and security experience with the implementation of Rockwell Collins’ ARINC vMUSE common use passenger processing solution.
Due to growth over the past few years, SXF realised they needed a solution to increase the efficiency of their passenger processing system without creating additional expense for infrastructure at the airport. ARINC vMUSE common use system delivers the enhanced solution, which can also reduce the need for dedicated airline check-in counters, and can pave the way for self-service baggage handling and passenger check-in, using multiple airline bag drop and passenger processing.
All over the world, common use systems are saving valuable terminal space and reducing operational costs while increasing efficiency as passenger growth continues at an average rate of 5% per year.
Indian exporters have asked the Bangladeshi government to urge the UK to lift the recently imposed cargo bans on direct flights from Dhaka, as they are worried about the economic implications for businesses who rely on exports to the UK and Europe.
The bans were issued by the UK Department for Transport due to a lack of international security requirements, particularly on cargo being transported on indirect routes.
Aviation security is an increasing challenge being faced by airlines and carriers all over the world, and the requirements are becoming more and more stringent to ensure safe passage and to enhance border security.
Aviation security screening is also becoming more sophisticated, and providers of security systems are delivering solutions to cover both physical and biometric security for the aviation sector and for other critical facilities.
This years’ Passenger Terminal Expo, held in Cologne, Germany, promises to showcase automated border control solutions to further enhance aviation security, yet continue to streamline the passenger experience.
Secunet and Veridos, German security providers, will be in Hall 10 with their EasyPASS solution.
The benefits of automated border control are far-reaching, with advantages to be realised on both ‘sides’ of the gate. Installing an automated system, border officials and agencies are able to focus their efforts on those passengers that require additional security checks, while airports enjoy an expedited passenger processing system to increase efficiency throughout the terminal environment.
The experience is also enhanced for passengers, who can pass through the check-in and security process far more quickly, reducing queueing time and creating a more flexible environment for travellers.
Other providers of automated border control solutions, such as Rockwell Collins’ e-borders, continue to use the latest technological advancements to enhance flexibility while maintaining a higher level of security for airports all over the world.
A market research report from Transparency Market Research has shown clear indication that the air transport security marketplace will continue to grow over the next five years at a rate of almost 11% CAGR.
According to the report, the growth will be largely due to the expansion of demand in the Asia Pacific region, but across the world, countries are clamping down on terrorism and ensuring passenger safety through both physical and cyber security improvements.
As investment is also increasing, the cost of upgrading air transport security systems is not expected to impact demand for enhanced surveillance, access control and biometric systems. Providers of physical security solutions for airports and facilities welcome the indicators for growth over the coming years.
The EU PNR transmission directive is in the news again, as EU parliament members are accused of ‘playing games’.
Earlier this year, the plans for the introduction of the EU PNR Directive continued to be hotly debated, yet the final drafts were agreed for the vote in the European Parliament. It has been announced that the plans are now subject to further delays following a mass vote against the initiative.
The announcement has created frustration amongst the lawmakers in Europe, who are eager to put an official plan in place to introduce what they are referring to as a ‘critical counter-terrorism tool’.
The controversy has arisen again around the breach of privacy of an individual’s personal information, as PNR data will be retained for airlines for five years, the first six months of which will retain personal identifying data.
This is not to say that information will be accessible by the public, but rather by a specially-created regulating body, specifically detailed to handle the sensitive information.
Passenger Name Records have been in existence for many years, originally being used to assist interlining passengers with baggage transfers. The new directive aims to use PNR information in a similar way to Advance Passenger Information, which is used to screen passengers in advance of international travel.
A few days ago we remembered the tragic disappearance of flight MH370 one year on. On Friday March 04, Singapore Civil Aviation Authority announced the establishment of new rules to improve the tracking of its aircraft.
The new rules state that position reporting must now take place at intervals of 15 minutes throughout the duration of the flight, on flights carrying more than 19 passengers.
Cargo aircraft weighing more than 45,500 kg will also fall within the scope of the new rules.
Rules will come into effect from July 01 2016, when operators will need to track aircraft by manual or automatic means. From November 2018, only automatic tracking will be acceptable under the new requirements.
Gogo has announced that its IFE connectivity product, Gogo Vision is improving, and has started to ‘return more interesting dollars’ at last.
The company, who supply IFE connectivity solutions for both business and commercial aircraft have admitted that a lot of its content does not get to airlines, as they offer many smaller, independent films and documentaries, and an opt-in functionality for passengers.
As passenger demand increases for cabin connectivity, providers are under pressure to provide superfast connection rates for live streaming. Other providers, such as Rockwell Collins’ Cabin Connect, also deliver the opportunity to operate IFE, and cabin connectivity for passengers and crew via a single installation, and satellite communications networks.
One of the biggest items on the agenda at this year’s Passenger Terminal Expo (PTE) to be held in Germany, will be the latest innovations for airport automation, including biometrics and cloud-based solutions technology.
Rockwell Collins will showcase its latest innovative developments, as it works towards a better environment for travellers, and an improved experience.
One of the biggest buzzes about the company at the moment is talk about a paperless journey through the passenger processing system in airports. The latest solutions aim to speed up the system, while maintaining utmost security at every level. Its cloud-based solutions are revolutionising passenger processing and airport operations in general, while biometric facial recognition applications are taking airport systems to a completely new level.
The three-day event will be held in Hall 10 of the Koln Messe in Cologne, Germany, and Rockwell Collins is to be found at stand 6000.
Business Aviation News 