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New Version of Flight Planning iPad App Released by ARINC Direct

October 14, 2013
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Flight Planning iPad App

Leading flight support and communications provider for business aviation, ARINC Direct have announced the release of their latest flight planning iPad app, version 3.0.

The new version includes all the benefits of the older version plus a range of document management functions to simplify flight planning and an ARINC Direct website component that gives pilots and crew access to their files on iPad and on the web.  This will allow them to assign documents to a specific flight leg, aircraft or user, streamlining the filing and management process with simple drag and drop utility.

“ARINC is working to minimize paper and improve access to information on the flight deck for pilots,” said Bob Richard, ARINC Direct Vice President, “and version 3.0 is a major step forward in getting our customers there.”

Available in the Apple app store now, the ARINC Direct Flight Planning iPad App is, according to Mr Richard, “Another example of how we respond to our customer requirements for a cost-effective, simple and seamless user experience.”

Business Jets Fractional Ownership Trend Growing

October 3, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Fractional Ownership in Business Aviation

Fractional ownership initiatives allow buyers to acquire a fraction of a business jet, paying a monthly fee for management, then flight fees per hour of use.  Some companies offer pay-in-advance schemes where the customer can purchase bulk flying time.

For the past five years, there has been a lull in this industry; the economic downturn is partly to blame, with expenses cutbacks and falling rates of business.  This had led to many fractional ownership companies going out of business, with some being bought out, such as the proposed acquisition of Bombardier’s Flexjet by Directional Aviation Capital who already own Flight Options and Sentient Jet, fractional ownership enterprises.

It is hoped, now that there are fewer players in the industry, that prices can become more competitive, with greater flexibility for new growth in this sector.

Executive Airshare is keeping its focus upon the light jet market, which is less capital-intensive, offering businesses a more affordable way of flight compared to that of larger jets.

Already there seems to have been a resurgence of business with some companies noticing a rise of up to 50% on last year’s figures.  Many believe that this is a clear indication that people are returning to ‘normal’ business activity.

It may also be an indication that businesses are prepared to go a little further in search of new contracts and to seek out new business opportunities.

Recently it was suggested that it can be more cost-effective for companies to share the hire of a business jet than to purchase individual seats on commercial flights.

Whatever is happening, it is clearly good for business in the sector.

Revised Format of NOTAMs by the FAA

September 20, 2013
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In a bid to harmonize the US system of NOTAMs with the ICAO standards, a new and revised format of the delivery of NOTAMs is expected on 1st October.

Improvements will include the definition of numbers to removed the ‘guesswork’ when it comes to units of measurement in the case of FT, LB & NM.  Altitudes will be defined with upper and lower limits and changes to the usability of runways and declared distances will be clear.

The changes come as a part of the 2012 Pilot’s Bill of Rights, which has highlighted and authorized the improvements to the NOTAMs system in the US.  Pilots will be able to access necessary information about their route of flight, prioritizing will filters in alignment with their flight profile.

Field Condition (FICON) NOTAMs will be listed amongst the biggest changes.  Pilots and flight crews will be able to file a Pilot Reported FICON with a list of runway contaminants reportable in the situation of an unmonitored field.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) have an active role in the evaluation of the current NOTAMs system and the recommendation of improvements as a member of the RTCA Tactical Operations Committee.  Another goal is to introduce an improved, user-friendly format for the system delivery of NOTAMs, enabling access with tablets and smart phone technology.

The First A320 Family Aircraft to Offer In-flight Wifi Nearing Completion

September 11, 2013
Business Aviation News
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In-Flight Wifi Service ProvidersThe first A320 family of Airbus, single-aisle jet aircraft to be fitted with the company’s Airline Network Architecture (ALNA v2) will soon roll off the assembly line in Toulouse, France.

The equipment will offer passengers internet access with in-flight Wifi and mobile telephone services in readiness for new relaxed rulings about the use of passenger technology in the air.

The A320 family will join the other Airbus A330, A380 and the new A350 XWB families to be refitted with the ALNA v2 equipment.

In-flight Wifi and GSM offerings are hot property in the aviation industry at the moment, with passenger demand for connectivity growing by the day.  In the business sector and private jets, it is expected, in order for company executives to be able to work as efficiently and effectively in the air as they can in their ground-based offices.

Service providers such as ARINC Direct bring a complete suite of passenger connectivity products to the table of business aviation and offer innovative, cost effective and seamlessly operational solutions to in-flight Wifi, telephone, fax and conference video with their unique Inmarsat and Iridium satellite services.

Chinese Commuters Could Soon Take to the Skies

September 6, 2013
Business Aviation News
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A $130 million contract between a Beijing-based aircraft manufacturer and a General Aviation company to supply 300 small aircraft within the next five years could become the new commuter solution in China.

The companies want to introduce ‘mini airports’ at over 160 countries in the province and provide a short-haul service for passengers within a low-flying network.

All the aircraft will be manufactured with a maximum capacity of ten passengers and will target business passengers to boost more than just the aviation sectors in China.

Due to the terrain in China, in general, the daily commute for many passengers would be greatly reduced with aviation routes, rather than using the roads.  A 40km distance between two points can easily become 200km within the road network.

Chen Wei, Chairman of Beijing George Heintz Aircraft Manufacturing Co regularly takes a minimum of an hour’s drive into the City, but using aviation will cut the journey down to just 15 minutes.

The plan to open up low-altitude airspace is becoming an International trend, but is expected to be a fairly slow process in China.  Government regulators are being asked to consider the new plans and the benefits to not only general aviation, but many business sectors of the province.  It is hoped that plans can forge forwards within the next five years, although it seems unlikely that low-altitude regulations will be in operation before 2020.

Global Passenger Communications & In-Flight Entertainment Industry Expected to Reach $3 Billion by 2017

September 5, 2013
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passenger communicationsIt was recently found, according to a new market research report by commercial aviation analyst, Adeline Fernandez that the passenger communications and in-flight entertainment sector market could reach $3 billion by 2017, compared to $2 billion in 2012.

The ever increasing demand for improved in-flight entertainment and the growing need for fast and cost-efficient passenger communications is fuelled by the huge wireless industry.  Most passengers now want to use their own devices and Smartphones on board and do not want to be subject to the traditional restrictions.

As technology is constantly evolving, more advanced use of devices is expected and greater bandwidth is required.  WiFi systems for passenger communications and in-flight entertainment are set to take over in commercial aviation from retrofit systems by manufacturing companies.

Commercial and Business aviation passengers now want to use their phones, devices and laptops as efficiently in the air, at 40,000ft as they do on the ground.  This will fuel the installation of wireless connectivity on board aircraft as airlines vie for passengers.

Air Canada Rouge Select ARINC’s GLOBALink for Communications

August 21, 2013
Business Aviation News
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It has been announced that Air Canada Rouge, North America’s newest leisure group has selected ARINC’s GLOBALink for their worldwide ground-air and flight deck communications requirements.

Air Canada Rouge will use GLOBALink, VHF, HF and Iridium data link as their primary means of data communications in addition to GLOBALink voice services providing continuous voice communications throughout the flight enroute.

Air Canda Rouge’s Vice President of Operations, Al Read, said, “Air Canada Rouge’s success depends upon the team work of our employees and the support of trusted partners like ARINC.”

ARINC’s reliability and support capabilities continues to keep them at the top of the pile in the aviation industry.  Their cost effective and innovative flight deck communications solutions and flight support, in addition to passenger communications packages make them a comprehensive, industry-leading provider.

“GLOBALink’s voice and data infrastructure is the most reliable in the world,” said Ron Hawkins, Staff Vice President, Commercial Aviation Solutions, at ARINC. “We have been helping Air Canada with its air/ground communications for more than 20 years and we were excited to be selected by Air Canada rouge to help them for many years to come.”

ARINC Direct Markets Xplore Satcom Box at LABACE

August 16, 2013
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Following the announcement of the proposed sale of its parent company, ARINC Direct senior director of sales, Joel Ehrmann admitted that the merger could provide opportunities for both companies in terms of online flight planning and support services, but he was unable to talk about the deal.

“It’s still got to be approved by regulators,” he said, “So its business as usual until the sale completes. But there are a lot of potential synergies.”

Flight planning

At LABACE this year, ARINC Direct had their latest innovation, Xplore, the SATCOM box.  Once certified, the connection of iPad and other mobile devices in the cockpit will be easily and efficiently linked to the Iridium satellite network.  ARINC Direct may begin the pitch to helicopters, especially in the offshore oil industry.

ARINC Direct seem to be preparing for a new office in Brazil shortly; according to Mr Ehrmann, “The major thing here is everyone’s ramping up for the World Cup and Olympics in Rio.”  He believes that major improvements will be seen in infrastructure and activity.

Mr Ehrmann would not comment as to how many Brazillian or Latin American customers ARINC Direct have, but stated that worldwide, the company cater to over 3,100 aircraft.

ARINC Direct’s iPad app has been particularly popular in the business jet industry, with its flexibility for flight planning and flight support services.  It will work well with the Xplore box in the cockpit of private aircraft across the globe.

Bookajet Signals Business Aviation Growth

July 16, 2013
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business aviation Bookajet

Bookajet, leading supplier of executive jets to celebrities has announced the first signs of growth in business aviation since the beginning of the recession.  This growth is a welcome move for the business aviation industry and is likened to the property sector by the MD of Bookajet, Mr Jonathan Clements, who adds, “We are pleased to say we are starting to come out of what has been a very flat and challenging time in Europe.”

It appears that charter demand in business aviation is on the increase and the arrival of new additional aircraft to the fleet has meant the creation of new jobs in the UK.

Bookajet was established in business aviation in 2003 and has bases throughout Europe, in Italy, France, the Netherlands and in Russia that deal with the charter of private jets; overseeing more than 40 aircraft, management and sales.

The newest addition to the fleet is the Gulfstream 4, a luxury executive private jet capable of long-range flight.

Private and business aviation is a steadily growing sector and is competitive, with more and more emphasis placed upon comfort and connectivity.  It is critical that business aviation stays ahead of the game in terms of affordability, maintaining high standards and allowing passengers the same levels of business availability in the air that they have on the ground.

Communications providers must remain cost-effective while offering a range of services that are combined to keep the cabin as efficiently connected as the flight deck to maintain serviceability in this competitive sector of business aviation.

TAG Aviation Move Towards UK’s First Paperless Flight Deck with iPad Flight Planning App

July 15, 2013
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TAG Aviation Use iPad Flight Planning AppUK operator, TAG Aviation has said that it plans to replace the traditional flight bag with the use of iPads and an iPad flight planning app, making them the first UK business aviation operator to move toward the paperless cockpit.

A surprising difference is made to the weight of the aircraft and subsequent fuel consumption with the heavy flight bags on board, as minute calculations are made during the flight planning process.  The innovation of the iPad flight planning app reduces not only the paper consumption, but also the fuel costs making it an all-round winner for business aviation if you add the benefit of streamlined efficiency on the flight deck.

“The introduction of paperless technology will ensure that pilots have up-to-date, essential information at their fingertips.  Flights manuals, manufacturer’s documents and aeronautical flight charts can be updated at the touch of a button instead of the time-consuming and wasteful process of manually updating hard copies,” said Russ Allchorne, Vice President of Flight Operations Europe at TAG Aviation (UK). “At TAG Aviation, we are committed to identifying ways to pioneer standards in flight operations and wider business aviation practices to improve efficiency, safety and our environmental footprint.”

Many communications providers now offer the iPad flight planning app with the aim of reducing costs while maintaining effective and efficient flight management.  ARINC Direct, industry-leading business aviation solutions provider are able to incorporate the iPad flight planning app into their tailored communications and flight support services for business jets.