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opolis Aviation, Farnborough, UK-based luxury Airbus charter provider, has received EASA approval for upgraded on-board Wifi and IFE systems.
Using a Rockwell Collins Skybox solution, Acropolis Aviation will be able to offer its passengers secure aircraft internet, in partnership with Satcom Direct’s SkyTicket.
Acropolis Aviation are pleased to offer the upgraded service and have enjoyed a ‘good working relationship’ with both companies.
It is with interest that the latest report from TechNavio entitled ‘Global Aerospace Components Aviation Security Market 2015-2019’ has been studies by the industry.
With global threats to the aviation security sector coming thick and fast, and not just focussing on physical security, but cyber security, airports infrastructure and information management, the industry is all too aware that the world is watching.
TechNavio predict that the global aviation security sector will continue to grow at a rate of just over 7% through the years 2014-2019. Increased investment is expected in biometrics technology, screening and the latest radio frequency identification (RFID).
Doubts about the viability of a new air traffic control system purchased three years ago to replace the outdated system at Hong Kong’s International Airport has led to criticism from the country’s lawmakers.
Safety, management, infrastructure and administrative issues must be resolved if the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department wish to be taken seriously. A series of mistakes have been made that are adding up financially, particularly the HK$575 million air traffic control system, which cannot be implemented due to the failure of safety tests.
As a modern international airport, and a hub for the region, the issues are a source of embarrassment for the government.
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are issued when issues arise within airspace, whether that may be due to weather warnings, large flocks of birds migrating or an unscheduled VIP flight.
TFRs are issued in the form of NOTAMs to flight deck personnel and must be delivered swiftly and securely. Methods of delivery include ACARS messaging or Type B messaging and some respected providers can guarantee delivery within one second.
The NBAA maintain that VIP TFRs continue to cause problems for the business aviation industry, with restrictions effectively blocking access, as happened recently when the President of the United States planned to fly into Orlando on the eve of the NBAA Convention.
The TFR threatened to disrupt access for business jets to the Orlando Executive Airport and the NBAA worked with the FAA and airport security in an attempt to minimise disruption. The TFR was cancelled just a few hours into the 24-hour period, but it served to remind officials of the problems presented to the business aviation industry.
Although the NBAA concede that issues have improved in recent years, problems still arise from TFRs, but the focus must always remain on security, rather than access to airspace.
Brazilian-born Embraer Executive Jets has proudly announced the delivery of their 300th Phenom 300, the most popular business jet for two consecutive years.
The 300th jet was delivered last week to an undisclosed US client, marking the same milestone one year later than its smaller brother, the Phenom 100/100E.
Embraer has high hopes for the Phenom 300, whose fleet has achieved a 57% share of the light jet market over 28 countries over the six years of operation.
Former hacker, now an IT consultant, Mr Phil Kernick, has highlighted weaknesses in the Australian airports systems that could be exploited by hackers.
Mr Kernick says that the focus of authorities has been placed too much on the physical than on IT infrastructure, which should be better protected from what he believes are ‘daily attacks’.
Protection of IT infrastructure is critical for airlines, who process flight plans, passenger data and hundreds of thousands of mission critical transmissions every day. According to Mr Kernick, it is a simple process to place a 4G hacking device into an airport power system. He notes that airport personnel carry access cards once within the secure environment past screening areas, but that this can lead to a relaxation of security if all personnel make the assumption that restricted areas are secure.
To make his point clear, Mr Kernick said, “The more you think you do physical security well, the easier the job is [for intruders], because you believe your security works. This is how they get into bank data centres. It is surprisingly easy.”
Cyber security is an increasing issue within airports across the world. With daily threats of attacks, whether to physical security or infrastructure, security providers are under growing pressure to maintain solutions to combat these threats.
Everyone remembers the day that Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger became widely recognised as the incredible ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ pilot, when he and his first officer, Jeffrey Skiles, skilfully brought their Airbus down safely, saving everyone on board, in the Hudson River six years ago.
Captain Sullenberger has been invited to speak about the experience at next month’s NBAA convention in Las Vegas, highlighting the significance of professionalism, leadership and preparedness training for aviation safety.
Italian ANSP, ENAV, has formed an agreement with SITA OnAir for the provision of VHF communications equipment in 19 Italian airports, including Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport Fiumicino.
This will allow airlines equipped with the technology, using Italy’s airspace, to access CPDLC via provision from ENAV.
CPDLC forms part of the NextGen SESAR initiative, enabling airline pilots and ATC to communicate using text, which improves the quality of operational communications, the safety of aircraft and the ATC management efficiency.
The global aviation security sector has experienced a huge change over the past couple of decades, and has significantly strengthened since the tragic events of 9/11.
As countries around the world take on board the seriousness of security in airports and in particular, the provision of passenger data, the market for increasingly sophisticated systems has inevitably grown.
The advancements in technology for border control and passenger processing are simply staggering, and according to Technavio, leading technology analysts, in their recent report, the passenger screening systems market will grow at a CAGR rate of 4.02% in the five-year period between 2014 and 2019.
As issues arise in the aircraft maintenance industry with gaps in knowledge of the fast-advancing technology on board, it has been suggested that training is necessary to ensure maintenance teams are fully aware of the latest solutions for airport information systems and aircraft communications.
According to experts, around 90% of problems that arise in the sector are down to people errors and issues. Even today’s graduates lack specific knowledge of the most advanced information management systems.
Older, legacy messaging systems are slowly being replaced all over the world with solutions such as Rockwell Collins’ ARINC eHub for example. Multi-use web-based services are increasing in popularity due to the increased efficiency of the messaging environment and comprehensive approach to information technology.
Business Aviation News 