Archive

Tag Archives: aviation communications

HKA Get Live Credit Card Authorisation Service over ACARS

February 7, 2015
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Providers of Inflight Messaging with GLOBALink ACARSHong Kong Airlines this week became the launch airline for the latest Rockwell Collins service that offers live credit card authorisation using WiFi over the ARINC ACARS infrastructure.

The first service of its kind in the industry is offered via an agreement with the DFASS Group, retail options providers for Duty Free luxury brands.

The introduction of the service will eliminate losses for HKA due to credit card fraudulent activity and will offer them greater scope for the provision of high value items in addition to immediate seat upgrades with the safe removal of credit card spending limits.

“In-flight credit card sales represent an important revenue stream for our airline,” said Mr. Stanley Kan at HKA.  “However, without the ability to conduct live credit card authorization, we faced the risk of loss due to fraudulent transactions.  Now, by validating transactions in real time, we can significantly decrease our risk.”

“Our Wi-Fi over ACARS solution allows airlines to capitalize on their existing equipment to conduct live credit card authorizations without the need to invest heavily in expensive connectivity equipment,” said Heament John Kurian, managing director, IMS Asia Pacific for Rockwell Collins. “With this cost-effective new service, we can help airline customers around the world increase security by identifying individuals involved with fraudulent credit card activity.”

eAPIS Requirements for Canadian Borders – Survey

February 5, 2015
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Leading Global Providers of eAPIS SolutionsCanada’s Border Services Agency is working towards a U.S.-style Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS) to protect its borders and is hoping for complete implementation by spring 2016.

A survey has been created by the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) to assess how the new requirements will impact Canadian and U.S. pilots crossing the borders in a bid to make the transition as seamless as possible.

“This survey will provide statistical feedback to Canadian and US officials to find a solution that both addresses their goals and minimizes duplication,” said COPA Vice President of Operations Patrick Gilligan. “COPA is heavily involved in finding creative solutions to minimize the detrimental consequences that any additional requirements will have on our sector of aviation.”

The survey, which can be completed anonymously if required, will aim to assess the general ‘feeling’ of pilots conducting cross-border leisure and personal flights – whether they think that the implementation of a system will impact flight operations in a detrimental way.

The survey will also attempt to gain a general consensus about the introduction of a single portal for the transmission of pilot and passenger data to the Canadian Border Services Agency.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) are working with COPA to ensure that the implementation of an eAPIS mandate remains seamless.

“We’re really working to find a way to make this as transparent as possible,” said Tom Zecha, AOPA manager of aviation security. “We encourage AOPA members who cross the border—or even those who don’t but think they might someday—to complete the survey to convey the impact a duplicate system would have on cross-border operations.”

Avionics for NextGen 2015 Conference

February 4, 2015
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

More Information about CPDLC NextGen BenefitsThe FAA’s Bruce DeCleene will be a keynote speaker at the Avionics for NextGen 2015 conference later this year, opening the discussions about the modernisation of the National Airspace System.

The two-day conference, set for October 14 and 15 will open with Mr DeCleene’s discussion about the FAA’s progress with the implementation of major flight technology projects for the benefit of the aviation community as a whole.

Four initiatives are to be targeted over the next two to three years:

  • Datacomm
  • Performance Based Navigation (PBN)
  • Multiple runway operations
  • Surface & data sharing

Also open for discussion at the conference will be the ability of a range of different aircraft types to use existing infrastructure to implement next generation communications initiatives, such as CPDLC, and the ADS-B network in addition to discussions regarding Optimised Profile Descents (OPDs) and the wide area augmentation system.

The challenges associated with the provision of new procedural initiatives and the creation of increased peak throughput at the U.S.’ busiest airports, including re-categorisation of aircraft wake turbulence characteristics will be highlighted at the conference and attendees will hear from pilots and air traffic controllers about the advantages of Controller-Pilot Data Link Comms (CPDLC) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) in terms of the improvisation of the use of national airspace, fuel cost savings and operational efficiencies.

It is hoped that many questions will be answered at the conference and operators will be assisted with their decision-making regarding the right investments to make for onboard technology to meet the objectives of the NextGen air transportation system.

Aircraft Tracking Capabilities Becomes a Priority for Singapore Airlines

February 2, 2015
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Providers of Superior Aviation Messaging Services for Flight TrackingFollowing the tragic events of last year, and with a nudge from the UN civil aviation department for the industry as a whole to address the problem, Singapore Airlines is looking to enhance its aircraft tracking capabilities as a priority.

Aircraft and operational messaging systems need to provide seamlessly reliable messaging on a global scale and operate within a messaging architecture than is robust enough to handle real-time conversion, messaging switching and have tracing capability.

Although the capabilities exist, a handful of carriers are working together with communications providers to develop new systems that can recognise when an aircraft is experiencing difficulties or leaves its planned route, in addition to real-time tracking and monitoring.

Mr Nicholas Ionides, spokesman for Singapore Airlines gave confirmation of the carrier’s participation in ‘trials related to aircraft tracking’, but gave no further clue as to the extent of the trials.

Alaska GA Flight Services System & Flight Planning Contract Awarded

February 2, 2015
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Flight Planning via iPad - Leading Providers

It has been announced that Florida-based Harris Corporation has been awarded a contract by the FAA to upgrade and manage the Alaskan GA flight services system that delivers flight planning and real time weather capabilities.

The 10-year contract, made up of three base years and seven one-year options, is worth a projected $98 million and will involve the implementation of Harris’ OASIS II program.

Under the contract, flight planning and real-time weather updates and briefing will be supplied to FAA flight service specialists in addition to handling NOTAMs messages.

OASIS II – Operational and Supportability Implementation System – will utilise System Wide Information Management (SWIM) in the National Airspace System (NAS) and will be the first consumer.

Case for New Equipment Made by Aviation Security Officers in Nigeria

January 29, 2015
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Security Solutions Providers for Mission Critical Facilities & AirportsFollowing a recent lecture arranged by the Aviation Security Department of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, security personnel compiled a list of new operational equipment that they say is needed to improve security to a level that can help to combat threats to nationwide aviation security.

The equipment list contains state-of-the-art screening facilities including scanners, operational vehicles and communications equipment in addition to a request for the installation of closed circuit television cameras.

Speaking through Mr Wendel Ogunedo, the director of aviation security for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the aviation security officers have expressed their concern over the trend of inadequacy in the areas of personnel training and obsolete technology in the wake of a growing threat to national security that is not unique to Nigeria.

In order for them to respond adequately, the security officers say that advancements must be made to upgrade their equipment and recruit additional personnel. Mr Ogunedo agreed and said the task of securing the airport from ‘unlawful interference by unauthorised persons’ would be best carried out with the addition of 1500 security personnel.

All across the globe, aviation security is under threat. Airports and other critical facilities can ensure security only with adequate equipment and personnel to undertake what is becoming a major, worldwide concern.

Real-time Weather Reporting Could Improve Safety for AirAsia

January 20, 2015
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Providers of Reliable Aviation Messaging SystemsA recent report following the AirAsia tragedy of Flight QZ8501 revealed that officials did not pick up weather reports in person, which has been hailed as a ‘missed opportunity’ by experts.

This is not to say that AirAsia violated any aviation policies, but it has highlighted an issue that meteorologists and airline officials could have detailed potentially dangerous weather conditions in real-time.

If flight operations personnel typically receive weather reporting updates, then there is time for essential decision-making to take place, including re-routing if necessary. According to CNN, the occurrence of AirAsia flight operations staff not directly collecting weather documents is not uncommon, and weather updates are generally received by email, and not in person.

Although, according to AirAsia, there is no change in the method of receiving copies of weather information, the airline has made a change in how the information is processed by its personnel.

The tragic events of the crash are still being investigated and search efforts have been hampered by severe weather and storm conditions. Of the 162 people on board the aircraft when it downed in the Java Sea, 39 have been recovered and 16 officially identified.

Weather conditions are blamed for a high percentage of aircraft accidents and it is critical that real-time weather reporting is an advantage for airlines and operators for flight planning and enhanced decision-making. Industry messaging and support services providers realise the importance of reliable, timely delivery of aviation messaging in order to maximise efficiency throughout aircraft operations and allowing real-time decision making with the implementation of flight deck weather.

German Aviation Systems Integrator Selects Industry Service Software

January 17, 2015
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Providers of Airport Management SystemsGaldos Systems, Canadian software provider, has signed a deal with a big aviation systems integration company in Germany to provide solutions that will enhance safety and efficiency through information management and offers a chance to build industry-specific systems.

Using specific solutions for airport and facility management can lead to better decision-making and gives back-office applications capacity for greater efficiency. In an airport environment this can mean enhanced passenger processing, ticketing and security.

Solutions providers can offer greater flexibility to a wide-area network, such as Rockwell Collins’ ARINC, who deliver solutions for remote access across an airport messaging environment which in turn offers comprehensive applications for DCS, flight planning, check-in platforms and even across baggage handling systems.

FCC Regulatory Approval for Gogo’s In-flight Connectivity Solution

January 17, 2015
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Other Passenger In-flight Connectivity Providers for Business JetsGogo, Illinois-based global aviation communications provider, has today announced that it has received FCC regulatory approval to air its latest in-flight connectivity solution on 1000 aircraft.

Operating the 2Ku system is a big step for Gogo, with its NextGen technology, which they expect to be available after the summer of this year. Gogo say they expect the new, 4.5inch antenna to deliver peak speeds of more than 70 Mbps to the aircraft.

Michael Small, president and CEO of Gogo said, “Clearing the necessary regulatory hurdles to provide this service to an aircraft flying anywhere around the globe is no small feat. Gogo has proven it is a leader at navigating these environments for all aircraft types no matter where they fly. We are happy that the launch of 2Ku is proceeding as planned and are continuing to work with the FAA on approval for installation.”

The introduction of NextGen technology for commercial aircraft is going to be welcomed by airlines and passengers, with global expectation for in-flight connectivity growing. Currently, business aviation operators enjoy seamless connectivity through Inmarsat SwiftBroadband and Iridium satellite networks providers.

LATAM Group Upgrade Cabin Services for Enhanced Passenger Experience

January 12, 2015
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Cabin Services Solutions ProvidersLatin American LATAM Airlines Group has announced that it will invest $100 million on cabin services tech projects to help provide an enhanced passenger experience.

Plans include a Smartphone app for passengers to manage their travel arrangements, improvements to flight status systems that is aimed at giving passengers greater access to flight information and, through a deal signed with YouTube, passenger access to popular channels integrated into the in-flight entertainment system.

In addition, the launch of LAN & TAM Entertainment has been announced – a wireless IFE system that will allow passengers to watch TV, movies and video using their personal mobile devices on board.

Although WiFi connectivity is not yet part of the offering, LATAM Group have revealed that they have been exploring the possibility for a number of years and their eventual aim is to include WiFi in their free package.