UK’s Gatwick Airport Vies with Heathrow for Expansion

August 9, 2016
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gatwick-airport-expansionGatwick airport is directly contesting with Heathrow for an expansion of its facilities, as both airports vie for position in the race to build and operate another runway.

An additional runway at Gatwick could generate as many as 28,000 jobs, according to a new report issued recently by Arup. It is also estimated that an expansion of facilities and services could result in the stimulation of 120,000 UK-wide jobs, in addition to future opportunity for young people with the establishment of an apprenticeship fund that could amount to £3.75million.

A new initiative has recently gained ground for Gatwick airport in the form of a partnership alliance with three UK universities – Brighton, University College London and Imperial College London – offering three places each year for graduates to join the engineering teams at the airport.

A spokesperson for Gatwick has confirmed that the airport can also ‘deliver a new runway faster [than Heathrow], and have a spade in the ground before 2020.’

The airports expansion project has been big news in the UK for a number of years, following protests by residents near both sites concerning noise and environmental pollution issues.

The UK Government has delayed a decision about any airport expansion project until October 2016.

Miami International Airport to Improve Baggage Handling Systems

August 8, 2016
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Miami International Airport to Upgrade Baggage Handling Systems | Business Aviation BlogMiami International Airport has plans in place to begin an upgrade of its baggage handling systems, replacing a part of its security screening system and automated sortation.

The upgrades will also include modifications to baggage conveyancing, electrical and power distribution systems. The TSA is backing the project with a grant to Miami-Dade County of $101 million to support plans to build a 60,000ft2 extension to the current Central Terminal BHS, which will include a security corridor between Terminals G and H.

As advancing technology continues to offer opportunities for increased efficiency and security, airports around the world are looking to these next-generation baggage handling systems to deliver enhanced passenger experience, whilst making sure than capacity for expansion and adaptability remains at the forefront of all planning.

Ground delays are an expensive issue for both airlines and airports, and as passenger numbers continue to increase, operators must ensure that improvements work to significantly improve operational efficiency and security.

Miami-Dade County look forward to the project, which is hoped will create more than 600 local jobs for both direct and indirect employees.

Self-Service Passenger Experience for the Future of Aviation Travel

August 5, 2016
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Airports around the globe are pushing forward with self-service solutions to make passenger experience better, and to allow greater flexibility for resource and personnel management within the airport environment.

In addition to self-service check-in and baggage handling, the future of aviation travel may involve complete automation using the next generation of biometrics to handle passenger security screening, passport control and data sharing with government departments and agencies.

Rockwell Collins is a major player in the airports infrastructure sector, and has been working on and thinking about innovations in biometrics and identity management for almost a decade.

The use of biometrics, and in particular facial recognition technology, is faced with challenges in the aviation industry, quite aside from the privacy and data sharing issues that continue to be hotly debated around the world.

According to the Director of Strategic Programs for Rockwell Collins’ Global Airports business, Mr Tony Chapman, ‘Everyone is looking for something more unique than facial features. It’s good, but you have to look at the camera.’

Although the idea of complete, biometrics-powered automation is still some years away, it is good to know that some of the biggest innovators in the world are working towards a solution.

Isle of Man Host Sixth Business Aviation Conference

June 14, 2016
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IoM Aviation Conference | Business Aviation BlogThis month will see the Isle of Man host the sixth aviation conference, aimed to bring business aviation industry participants and professionals together from around the world.

Organised by the ICM Group, the conference is business oriented, and billed as this year’s ‘must-attend’ event. Approximately 150 business aviation professionals are expected to attend the Villa Marion venue in Douglas later this month, and opportunities for networking will take place during and after the event.

Find out more about the conference here.

US Government Watchdog Declares TSA Deficient in Airport Perimeter Security

June 12, 2016
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Airport perimeter security needs attention from the TSA | Business Aviation BlogThe US Government Accountability Office has issued a report that states airport perimeter security and access control security would ‘benefit from risk assessment and strategy updates’, following a string of complaints from both passengers and airport personnel, which could potentially create ‘dangerous vulnerability’ for the aviation system across the entire country.

The report also states that the TSA is, and should be, responsible for setting minimum standards in place for airports of all sizes. According to the Government Accountability Office, the TSA has failed to update its policies to reflect the current and potential threats to the commercial aviation system.

Airport perimeter security and access breaches appear to be on the increase, which defeats the purpose of extensive analysis when no action is taken to make improvements.

Providers of physical security solutions, including airport perimeter security and access control systems, work with customers to identify and prioritise gaps in security to tailor solutions to facility-specific requirements.

Read the full report from the GAO here.

Rockwell Collins Training Systems at ILA Berlin Air Show

June 9, 2016
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The ILA Berlin Air Show saw Rockwell Collins’ latest training systems last week, as the company featured its Common Architecture Avionic System (CAAS) and Cockpit and Joint Secure Air Combat Training System (JSAS).

CAAS reduces crew workload with integrated multiple communications, weapons and mission sensor subsystems and navigation, focussing on increased safety and operational awareness.

JSAS delivers the first certified, four-level Multi Independent Levels of Security (MILS) training equipment for both ground-based and airborne applications.

In addition, Rockwell Collins featured its Flight Mission Computer FMC-4000 radios and TELDIX space wheel.

Passenger Communications System, Venue, for Bombardier Global 5000 and 6000

June 7, 2016
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Advanced passenger communications from Rockwell Collins | Business Aviation BlogIt has been announced that Rockwell Collins will provide its Venue cabin management and passenger communications solution on the new Bombardier Global 5000 and Global 6000 aircraft from Q3 this year.

Venue gives the modern business jet a comprehensive solution to deliver advanced IFE and cabin management with boardroom applications. As corporate travellers continue to demand faster and more reliable passenger communications, Venue is the perfect solution with scalable features to allow cost-effective additions in technology as they become available.

Venue is Rockwell Collins’ most advanced cabin management system available, and has been implemented by more than 850 private jets around the world.

Passenger communications solutions are also available for business aircraft of all sizes through Rockwell Collins’ dedicated business aviation services provider, ARINCDirect.

Global Flight Tracking Standards Under Scrutiny

June 3, 2016
Business Aviation News
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Scrutiny of Global Flight Tracking Standards | Business Aviation NewsSince the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 in March 2014, the aviation industry has held global flight tracking standards under close scrutiny, led by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

ICAO want to have global flight tracking standardised, with positioning reporting at 15-minute intervals under normal flight conditions, and reporting every minute for aircraft under ‘distress’ conditions. The body authorised by the UN, overseers of aviation safety in this respect, has asked that these conditions be mandatory by the end of 2018.

ICAO is working with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to ensure, through simulations, that the proposed tracking standard is possible in what they deem to be ‘real-world conditions’.

The technology is already in place to determine safe and reliable flight tracking on a global scale. Providers of flight tracking systems and aircraft communications, such as Rockwell Collins’ ARINC AviNet, rely on a robust system architecture, and multiple data sources, to deliver accurate aircraft positioning via Inmarsat satellite communications.

John Bruns Appointed New President of Boeing China

June 1, 2016
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John Bruns New President of Boeing China | Image Courtesy of BoeingBoeing has announced the appointment of John Bruns, company veteran, as the new president of Boeing China, effective from the 1st July.

The appointment comes as Boeing predicts that China will need more than 6,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years. If fulfilled, this would make China Boeing’s biggest commercial client.

Mr Bruns will lead company-wide initiatives to expand the company’s presence in China, in addition to management of business, corporate and government affairs, and will focus on new growth and enhanced productivity in this expanding market.

Inmarsat Jet ConneX Validated by Rockwell Collins for Business Aircraft

May 26, 2016
Business Aviation News
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Passenger Communications from Inmarsat | ARINCDirect Business Aviation ServicesRockwell Collins has validated Inmarsat’s Jet ConneX (JX) network performance in addition to a portion of its value-added services through the business aviation arm, ARINCDirect.

As a value-added reseller, ARINCDirect will offer Jet ConneX to its business jet operators to deliver high-speed aircraft internet, delivering the highest connection speeds and a greater efficiency in the use of bandwidth over the Ka-band.

Rockwell Collins’ ARINCDirect provide business aviation services, including flight planning and support, in addition to its flight deck and passenger communications solutions.