JetWave SATCOM on Airbus and Boeing Jets to Get Retrofitted by GDC

December 7, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Providers of Passenger Communications for Business AircraftHoneywell’s JetWave SATCOM systems will be fitted by GDC Technics in an agreement signed in Dubai last weekend for in-service Boeing and Airbus business and commercial aircraft. The system, JetWave, will be available during 2015 and supports the Inmarsat JetConnex (JX) WiFi service, promising to deliver consistent, high-speed inflight connectivity for business aircraft all over the globe.

GDC, Texan-based provider, will develop the STCs for the aircraft, including the Boeing range of business jets and Airbus corporate jets, which will enable the retrofit process to commence. The STCs will also be marketed to other completion centres and will encompass the following aircraft:

  • Airbus A319
  • Airbus A330
  • Airbus A340
  • Boeing 737
  • Boeing 747
  • Boeing 777
  • Boeing 787

Mike Beazley, vice-president of Aftermarket Sales for Business & General Aviation at Honeywell said, “Through this agreement with GDC Technics, Boeing and Airbus operators will soon be able to easily upgrade their aircraft with one of the most advanced and capable in-flight connectivity systems on the market. JetConnex will bring high speed, consistent global in-flight internet connectivity via WiFi to the cockpit and cabin and we expect to see significant demand for the technology, particularly for long haul commercial and business planes flying out of the Middle East.”

The partnership agreement the system will be focussed upon the Ka- and Ku-band, bringing greater bandwidth with Inmarsat SwiftBroadband for flight deck communications requirements.

Mohammed Alzeer, general partner of GDC Technics said, “High speed, consistent in-flight WiFi over land and sea is a technology game-changer for the industry. Through this agreement with Honeywell, bizliners and commercial air transport aircraft around the world will soon be able to access Inmarsat’s JX service.” Continuing, he echoed a sentiment that is widespread in the aviation industry, particularly in the business jet sector, “In today’s always-on society the ability to stay connected while in the air is fast becoming an expectation rather than a nice-to-have, making the JetWave hardware from Honeywell and JX service from Inmarsat an important differentiator for operators.”

Expectation is increasing noticeably in the business jet industry, as more and more executive travellers need the benefits of an ‘office-in-the-sky’ environment.

Emteq and Haeco Partnership for Cabin Services

December 7, 2014
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Worldwide Cabin Services ProvidersIt was announced at MEBA this month that Emteq, U.S. aviation products providers and China-based Haeco Private Jet Solutions have partnered to allow Haeco to deliver Emteq’s eConnect portfolio of IFE, Cabin Services and connectivity package, who will integrate the systems for cabin completion and refurbishment clients.

Haeco claim that the first Boeing business jet based in Asia has contracted them to engineer and integrate an eConnect Router and wireless IFE system. The install project will integrate with the existing cabin services package as an add-on, effectively upgrading the system and providing a cost-effective solution.

As passenger demands grow for greater bandwidth and seamless on-board connectivity, more and more providers of Cabin Services find themselves continually pushing the envelope with the latest technology at the most competitive prices.

Personal devices play an important role within the Cabin Services industry today as satellite communications technology delivers the reliability that is required on board the modern business jet.

Brand New ARINCDirect Portfolio Showcase at MEBA by Rockwell Collins

December 7, 2014
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Find Out More About ARINCDirect Flight Support ServicesFollowing its acquisition of ARINC Inc last year, Rockwell Collins have launched a new a re-branded portfolio for its business aviation arm, ARINCDirectSM. The new offerings will be showcased at the upcoming Middle East Business Aviation convention and exhibition (MEBA) this month.

The new ARINCDirectSM portfolio includes a suite of flight support services that consolidates Rockwell Collins’ former Ascend Flight Information SolutionsTM and ARINC Direct services into one solution for flight operations management, regional & international flight support, flight planning and cabin connectivity and it already cited as being the most comprehensive flight support solution for business aviation in the industry.

Some of the ARINCDirectSM services that will be showcased will be:

  • A tankering feature accessible via the ARINCDirectSM customer portal to help manage fuel costs more effectively
  • An extension of the Rockwell Collins’ Flight Operating SystemTM (FOS) with new and improved integration properties
  • The latest in in-flight cabin and crew connectivity
  • An upgrade to the ARINCDirectSM iPad application that provides business aviation pilots with the ability to carry out accurate computations via an integrated weight/balance/performance feature –on or offline

The cabin connectivity features integrate Rockwell Collins’ successful VenueTM system with Airshow Moving MapTM and SkyboxTM, giving business passengers real-time information and IFE on both cabin-mounted and personal devices.

VAT Relief for Foreign Business Aircraft Confirmed by EU

December 4, 2014
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Business Aviation News for EU VAT ReliefThis week terms were clarified for the temporary admission of foreign business aircraft into the EU by a published paper, confirming that conditional VAT relief will be granted.

The move followed requests from the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), as many business aircraft operators were uncertain and needed clarification.

IBAC director general, Kurt Edwards, welcomed the paper and said, “This paper issued by the European Commission clearly resolves the confusion. As long as the operator meets the conditions for temporary admission, it can use the process to receive conditional relief from the Value-Added-Tax and Customs Duties obligations and operate to, from and within the EU.”

When a foreign-registered aircraft flies from a non-EU country and conducts flights within the EU, it can be eligible for temporary admission and therefore can claim conditional relief from taxes and duties. Foreign-registered aircraft are still subject to VAT and duty when they are permanently imported.

The latest guidelines from the EU clearly explain the previous confusion and remind operators that these conditions apply only to aircraft that are being flown for private use and do not include commercial carriers.

Rockwell Collins New Mobile Training Solution Gives Weather Data Access

December 2, 2014
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Flight Deck Aviation Weather Data Solutions Today, Rockwell Collins unveiled their latest program that will give pilots, flight line maintenance and service repair technicians access to training solutions on mobile devices.

Amongst the training applications, and one that will be demonstrated this week in Orlando at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference, is the Rockwell Collins MultiScan ThreatTrackTM weather radar on a mobile tablet.

Also at the conference, Rockwell Collins will be introducing new capabilities that will allow subscription customers to view and download task-specific training and publications online.

LeAnn Ridgeway, vice-president and general manager of the Simulation and Training solutions for Rockwell Collins acknowledged that people use mobile devices for almost everything they do and said, “This new offering demonstrates our commitment to providing our customers with the right content in the right format, when and where they need it. Our new mobile training and publication offerings allow our customers to access, manage, and interact with information as they need it.”

Indira Ghandi International Airport Step Up Physical Security After Bomb Threat

November 30, 2014
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Physical Airport Security Solutions ProvidersLast month security concerns were raised after Indira Ghandi International Airport (IGI) received a bomb threat. Not unused to hoax messages, IGI have taken the threat seriously for many reasons, including the fact that this one arrived just three days after threats were made to bomb flights from Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kochi – all three airports were also put on high alert.

The ensuing review revealed areas of vulnerability at IGI, including parts of security fencing that are completely concealed with overgrown, dense foliage. These areas have already twice experienced security breaches in the past year.

Airport physical security has been stepped up, which involve vehicle checks and monitoring, additional personnel on-site and a review of the overgrown areas located behind airport buildings, including the offices of the Airports Authority of India, the Bureau of the Civil Aviation Authority and New Customs House – all of which could be potentially targeted.

All over the world, airports are realising an increasing need for airport physical security measures to be tightened and more securely monitored. The aviation industry as a whole relies upon physical security to ensure that passengers, aircraft and personnel are kept safe at all times, both on the ground and in the air.

Network Services & Critical Messaging Renewed by Gulf Air

November 27, 2014
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Solutions for Airport Operational messaging from Other Leading ProvidersGulf Air, Bahrain’s principal airline carrier has announced a renewal of network services, critical messaging and voice services in a comprehensive global infrastructure designed to streamline operational messaging and allow DCS access at airports around the world via its VPN.

SITA, air transport IT specialists, will provide the airline with continued service and are delighted to renew the partnership that has spanned more than four decades.

Hani El-Assaad, President of Middle East, India and Africa at SITA, said, “SITA is helping Gulf Air optimise its network, messaging and voice services. This will reduce operational costs and improve service quality and availability. It will also enable the airline to communicate with the entire air transport industry quickly and efficiently using the SITA messaging distribution network, the largest and most versatile network in the industry.”

Reliable, secure access to VPN via a complex network of integrated airport systems is essential for the smooth flow of passengers and air traffic. Airport hub systems can streamline the entire Type B messaging process and handle operations from the baggage handling department to the apron.

Methow Valley State Airport to Reactivate Weather Reporting System

November 19, 2014
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Weather Reporting as an Integral Part of Flight Support ServicesFollowing community feedback, the Washington State Department last year started the process of bringing back the deactivated, privately-owned weather reporting system for the Methow Valley State Airport facility in Winthrop.

Located near the airport, the Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will provide weather updates and flight planning access to local pilots via radio.

A small airport, operating mostly for private aircraft and national services, such as wildfire co-ordination, Methow Valley will benefit from the weather reporting system as the nearest current system is located around 30 miles away at Omak Municipal Airport, who experience different weather patterns.

Weather reporting systems are vital to flight operations, giving pilots access to up-to-date weather changes or adversities enhances safety.

Modern commercial aircraft cannot operate without reliable weather reporting and many modern systems provide radar overlays, graphical weather and wind speeds data information.

ADS-B Deadline Looms & Concerns Raised as Operators Slow on the Uptake

November 19, 2014
Business Aviation News
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ADS-B Global NextGen Communications

As the deadline for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), a keystone in the NextGen initiative, approaches, concerns are being raised that the larger percentage of operational aircraft are not climbing on board. It is thought that just 10% of general aviation aircraft and a meagre 3% of major carrier aircraft will be ADS-B compliant by the end of this year.

ADS-B, within the NextGen satellite-based air traffic control system has two elements – Out, which refers to the communications sent from an aircraft to the system which relates to its position, and In, referring to area traffic information transmitted by the system itself to equipped aircraft that can receive and read the data.

The multi-billion dollar system is well into construction, with 624 radio stations deployed by April this year. There are ‘significant risks and challenges’, however, according to a system audit by the Department of Transportation which include a lack of testing, certifying avionics, monitoring and cost management, all fading into the background when it comes to actual uptake of the initiative by operators.

Many operators are concerned at the moment that the only benefit for the industry in terms of the installation of ADS-B is regulatory compliance.

The biggest concern is that non-ADS-B equipped aircraft will be prohibited from entering controlled NextGen airspace after January 2020 and a statement from the FAA reiterated their position, which clarifies their position as a firm one, “You cannot get ADS-B traffic unless your aircraft is properly equipped to participate in the ADS-B system.”

Singapore Airlines Passenger Left with Huge Wi-Fi Bill

November 18, 2014
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Cost-Effective Solutions for Inflight Wi-Fi ConnectivityA Canadian passenger on a Singapore Airlines flight left us all with a valuable lesson last week after he racked up a whopping $1,171 bill for Wi-Fi connectivity on a flight from London to Singapore.

Mr Jeremy Gutsche was stunned to receive the bill after purchasing a 30 megabyte internet plan for less than $30. He unknowingly used his allowance and although aware that he would be responsible for charges beyond the 30MG usage, was shocked to realise that viewing 155 pages and uploading a PowerPoint document landed him with such a huge bill.

The provider of the onboard Wi-Fi connectivity service for Singapore Airlines, Swiss-based OnAir, argued that the charges offer ‘complete transparency’, and give passengers the choice to end sessions when charges reach a certain amount and graphic data usage displays consumption.

Mr Gutsche said, “Just because someone agrees to terms and conditions doesn’t mean those terms are ethical. I think the overage model is excessive and I can imagine someone like my mom, or a family, or a backpacker going aimlessly over.”

According to Euroconsult, satellite and communications consulting firm, just 6% of flight passengers use in-flight services – perhaps for this very reason. The demand for in-flight provision in the modern world is increasing and cost-efficient solutions are becoming a growing part of the competitive side of the business for airlines worldwide.