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Inmarsat Get Contract for Enhanced, Next-Gen Aircraft Communications

March 23, 2016
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More about CPDLC | Next-Gen aircraft communications providerBritish 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.

ARINC GLOBALink Contract Renewed by Air China

February 23, 2016
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world-map-1112001-mRockwell Collins has announced that Air China has renewed its contract for ARINC GLOBALink, the leading air-ground data communications package, providing a secure messaging platform for critical inflight messaging.

Air China also has Rockwell Collins’ comprehensive communications suites, including VHF, SATCOM and HFDL to ensure coverage over a diverse range of aircraft communications.

The contract renewal comes in line with the plans that Air China has for expansion of its international routes and fleet.

Cabin Services Updated with Mobile Technology

December 22, 2015
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PASSENGER COMMSMost of us realise that mobile technology is the future of communications and we see it everywhere we look. Passengers on aircraft are beginning to demand mobile functionality to continue telling our friends, family and neighbours about our great flight. Providers are finding themselves under pressure to decrease costs and increase speeds.

Now we see that passengers are not the only ones using mobile devices to improve the cabin experience. Cabin crew can now get access to passenger data in real-time, which is enabling them to increase levels of customer service like never before.

Providers of the tech and solutions, such as Rockwell Collins with their ARINC Cabin Connect suite offer solutions for both the cabin and the flight deck utilising the same hardware. Soon, with comparable ground-speeds, boarding the aircraft and using the mobile device will be the same as sitting at home or in the office.

Rockwell Collins and Jet Aviation St Louis Team for Development of FANS 1/A

November 28, 2015
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More About CPDLC from Leading Providers | Aviation Industry NewsA FANS 1/A STC for Bombardier’s Challenger 604 involved a collaboration of Rockwell Collins and Jet Aviation St Louis, combining experience from both companies on the airframe.

The aftermarket FANS 1/A solution package offers CPDLC compliance and ADC-C to reduce the workload for the crew on the flight deck while navigating remote global airspace and vast oceanic expanses.

As we know, CPDLC gives access to equipped aircraft to preferred tracks, further enhancing flight efficiency with the benefit of time and fuel savings. Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line Fusion avionics is a necessary suite for FANS and is already widely used.

New Aviation eBook Launched at Paris Air Show

June 20, 2015
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Rockwell Collins' New eBook | Download HereA new eBook was launched earlier this month to coincide with the Paris Air Show. The new book, entitled, ‘Harnessing the Power of Aviation’s Information Age’ shares insights into the ways that the latest technology can be utilised to streamline and secure the information that flows between modern aircraft and ground-based operational departments.

The book, authored by industry experts from Rockwell Collins, addresses the future and existing opportunities for flight deck systems, connectivity and IFE and is introduced by Jeff Standerski, senior vice president of Information Management Services and Kent Statler, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Commercial Systems at Rockwell Collins.

The eBook is available and can be downloaded now. Click here for further information.

Aircraft Tracking Trials Launched by Rockwell Collins

May 13, 2015
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More Information About HFDL from Global Providers Rockwell Collins' ARINCA trial program has begun this week spearheaded by Rockwell Collins and involving nine global airlines to test the communications giant’s new ARINC MultiLink flight tracking service, which promised to be one of the most cost-effective solutions to the much debated problem for airlines.

Using multiple data sources, including satellite, HFDL performance data, ADS-C, radar, ACARS and EuroControl positioning data, the ARINC MultiLink reports the location of an aircraft reliably anywhere in the world.

Trials are being conducted in Europe, Middle East and Asia, North and Latin America. Participating airlines have been selected for their geographic diversity, according to Yun Chong, vice president of commercial aviation services for Rockwell Collins IMS.

Once the trials are completed, the service is expected to be widely available towards the end of 2015.

Software for Passenger Reservations Selected by Alitalia

January 27, 2015
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Passenger Reservations and Aviation Messaging Solutions ProvidersItalian-based carrier, Alitalia has selected an SaaS platform as a part of its modernisation program to handle critical airline operations, including its passenger reservations system.

CEO of Alitalia, Silvano Cassano said, “We are reinventing Alitalia. In the coming years, we expect that you will see a healthy carrier with a fresh and exciting new brand. This is a significant, multi-year initiative and technology will be the cornerstone of our success.”

Alitalia, one of Europe’s largest carriers, have selected Sabre Corporation, U.S. based travel and tourism technology providers, to implement their new passenger reservations system.

Across the globe, the numbers of international travellers is increasing and airlines are seeking new ways to streamline the passenger reservations and processing system. With API requirements also increasing worldwide, it is becoming critical to ensure that reliable aviation messaging solutions are in place, not only for compliance, but also to ensure security.

Other leading solutions providers, such as Rockwell Collins’ ARINC AviNet, provide a robust system architecture to ensure that all mission critical messaging is delivered swiftly and reliably while maintaining seamless security on a global scale.

Many carriers also realise that a reliance upon the latest technology is clearly the way forward.

Making the Transition to CPDLC – Deadline Moved

January 6, 2015
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Providers of CPDLC for Enhanced Operational MessagingThe transition to Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC), according to the original timeline, should by now be well under way, with retrofit requirements under the Single European Sky initiative due by next month.

The European Commission has indicated that the deadline will now be moved to make sure that the industry is ready and that CPDLC avionics are reliable. Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) are implementing the infrastructure in advance of the mandates and the SES initiative is still a global reality.

Although the process is slow, and the costs for retrofitting high, the transition to CPDLC will save airlines and operators in the long-term and increase safety for the skies on a worldwide scale. It is unlikely that CPDLC will replace voice communications altogether, but datalink messaging needs to be implemented in order to cope with the upsurge in air traffic that is expected over the next two decades.

It is not just Europe that is attempting to embrace the CPDLC technology. Data link communications are being trialled in the U.S. under the NextGen program and in Canada, nationwide implementation of CPDLC was completed last summer.

Although phase two of the SES initiative was planned for next month, it seems likely that the plans, so far fraught with technical difficulties, training delays and the cost of retrofitting, may be moved as far as five years into the future.

ATTF Report to IATA for Flight Tracking Initiative

December 17, 2014
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A report has been submitted to IATA by the Aircraft Tracking Task Force (ATTF) this week, which will deliver its findings for consideration in the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) development.

Airline Operational Messaging Solutions ProvidersAlthough the contents of the report are not yet public, Tony Tyler, CEO of IATA said that the report ‘recommends that airlines evaluate their current tracking capabilities against the performance criteria and close any gaps within a 12 month time frame.”

According to Mr Tyler, airlines will need to complete phases in order to achieve complete, worldwide aircraft tracking capability:

Short-term – make use of the current capabilities within their fleets and operational areas

Near-term – look at the business case for upgrading equipment to meet performance criteria

Parallel – explore the possibility of making tamper-proof systems with other industry stakeholders and manufacturers

The recommendations included in the report encompass many improvements, particularly within the communications systems, such as Controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) and ACARS to the space-based ADS-B, which, in the long-term is seen as the solution to seamless global aircraft tracking.

With mandatory equipage of these technologies fast approaching within European and Canadian airspace, new aircraft are already seeing these technologies coming as standard onboard installations.

For global tracking to become a certainty, technological capabilities must be installed and a ground-based ADS-B infrastructure is already in place.

“The public should be aware that there is no silver bullet solution on tracking,” said Tyler. “The industry is working to improve, but some issues such as tamper proofing, will take time to address and implement.”

Vistara to Upgrade Network Infrastructure & Communications

October 18, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Other Leading Providers of Network Infrastructure SolutionsVistara, the brand name for new Indian airline of TATA SIA Airlines Ltd, has announced that it has awarded a new contract for an integrated suite of aircraft communications and airline operational services to SITA.

The contract will see vital upgrades to the network infrastructure that allows reliable airline communications solutions to benefit air-to-ground operations, datalink services and critical passenger services.

“We are pushing the boundaries of air travel to deliver exceptional service to our customers, including the very best on-time performance. To achieve this, we need a network infrastructure that’s cost-effective, resilient, easily deployable and scalable, and SITA offers all of this. SITA has designed a comprehensive network solution to fit our specific requirements against a very ambitious rollout schedule,” said Phee Teik Yeoh, CEO of TATA SIA Airlines Ltd.

Using Type B messaging, Vistara will connect air transport industry providers with its back offices, ticketing desks and check-in counters in addition to managing critical messaging across the scalable network, resulting in greater operational efficiencies and productivity.

With a scalable infrastructure, Vistara plans to begin the change of India’s flying experience one step at a time, allowing for expansion and using a system that can grow with them.