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FLYHT Aerospace Solution for Critical Data Transfer

January 24, 2014
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Critical Data Transfer Solutions ProvidersByron Capital Markets have recommended a ‘strong buy’ option for FLYHT Aerospace Solution, which includes critical data transfer solutions, aircraft operations management and fuel management system for aviation operators.

“FLY sits at a significant revenue inflection point in 2014 with several events serving as catalysts in the near and medium term”, says the Byron report, “Airbus currently has a backlog of 1,600 planes to be cleared in three years.”

Next-generation messaging systems are set to be mandatory in the skies by February 2015. The strict regulatory requirements is an expected solution for congested airwaves and will mean that critical data transfer can be seamlessly reliable, while lessening the workload in the cockpit.

“Crowded skies, aging fleets, outdated communications are stifling airline the industry,” states the Byron report, “Increasing globalization and trade between developed and emerging markets has and will continue to spur air travel, crowding skies further. Carrier fleets are aging. Workhorses such as the Boeing 737 and 767 are nearing 20 years’ old and are fuel inefficient compared to the current alternatives.”

Other providers of critical data transfer solutions are working hard to ensure that aviation operators are ready for the changeover by this time next year.

WSI Business Aviation Flight Deck Weather Solution

January 21, 2014
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Flight Deck WeatherWeather Services International (WSI) has announced a new platform in its aim to further improve aircraft efficiency and safety. The new WSI Business Aviation Solution platform combines tools such as weather and flight information, operational data and airspace constraints, offering those tasked with making operational decisions a comprehensive view of this vital data.

WSI’s information systems are currently in use by over 130 commercial airlines on over 55,000 daily flights and have three main platforms; each targeted to fulfil distinct data requirements.

For pilots WSI Pilotbrief offers global weather information to assist in the optimisation of flight paths.  For schedulers and dispatchers WSI Fusion enables global flight tracking with real-time weather alerts, and WSI Hubcast enables ground crew to track flights and prepare for disruptive weather events.

Up-to-the-minute weather data is critical to flight safety, to facilitate swift decision-making on the flight deck and flight support teams on the ground. Other providers, such as ARINC Direct, bring radar data information outside the U.S. to business aviation operators; the only providers to do so.

Working as the professional solutions arm of The Weather Company, WSI is able to alert aviation to multiple hazards en-route, providing information on anything from turbulence, icing and convection right through to the less frequently encountered presence of volcanic ash.

Tulsa International Take the Reins in Airport Management

January 21, 2014
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Airport Operations Management ProvidersA major shake-up has seen Tulsa International become independent from the City of Tulsa in a move, initially approved by Mayor Dewey Bartlett, that has now been officially agreed by Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust (TAIT).

The agreement will now give the airport more freedom for airport operations management, although, the city of Tulsa will retain control of the airport through TAIT board members appointed by the Tulsa City Council, Tulsa Airport Authority will now lease the airport from the city on a 25-year term.  This will allow it to contract out or hire in for services such as legal, IT and human resources support which were previously provided by Tulsa City which was then reimbursed by the airport. However, some services will continue to be provided by the city and Tulsa International’s 150 employees will remain on their current pension plan.

Passenger numbers at Tulsa International declined 0.3% to 1.316 million in 2013, with an overall decline of 18.5% since 2007. This decline is set against an overall operating budget of $58.5 million in 2013, though airport officials believe the leasing arrangement will enable them to make savings of $500,000.

Dassault Appoint New International Sales Manager

January 16, 2014
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Dassault Falcon 5X Business JetGrowing demand for business flights both from and within Africa has led Dassault Aviation to announce the appointment of Olivier Zuber as its new International Sales Manager.

Working for Dassault since 2005, Zuber has filled a number of key roles at the company, most recently as the Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. Marketing and Business Development Manager for India.

Falcon, a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of France’s Dassault Aviation, is responsible for marketing the entire line of Falcon jets throughout North America, South America and the Asian Pacific Rim, including China. Over 2,500 Falcon jets have been manufactured since production of the initial Falcon 20 in 1963, with the latest addition to the range being the Falcon 5X.

In that time Dassault Aviation has grown to employ some 11,000 workers both in France and the U.S. Demand for Falcons has doubled in Africa alone in the past five years and the company has also introduced a fighter jet, the Rafale, to its stable of aircraft.

With a Master’s Degree in Engineering, and experience in both Falcon’s flight centre and customer service sections, Zuber will now move from Dassault’s Indian liaison office, based in New Delhi, where he has spent the last three years.

Following his move to the French headquarters in Saint-Cloud, Zuber will report to Dassault’s Sales Directors for the African market, Alain Lemee and Gilles Apollis. Vice President of Falcon Sales, Gilles Gautier, welcomed  Zuber to his new role saying, “Olivier’s extensive experience with the nuances of the business aviation industry in various regions make him the ideal choice to develop leads and spearhead new sales opportunities in the emerging economies of Africa.”

BHX Flight Planning to Trial Two New Flight Paths

January 16, 2014
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Flight Planning Tools for Managing Flight PathsFlight planning takes into account many factors, including fuel consumption, weight, air speed and weather considerations, to name but a few of the thousands of calculations needed.

Flight paths are fixed, but as the airways become congested, and the population on the ground grows, the possibilities for further expansion of flight paths need to be explored more fully. The modern airline operators are coming under pressure from authorities, regulators and indeed the public, to reduce noise and pollution levels, but greater service and more flights.

Birmingham airport has announced plans to trial two alternative flight paths in preparation for an Airspace Change Proposal, required due to a proposed extension of the runway.

The airport has already submitted its preferred route, “Option 5”, to the Civil Aviation Authority, a flight path that it says covers mostly open country, avoiding Barston village.  However, this option was greeted angrily by the residents of Balsall Common who were not placated by the airport’s claim that although aircraft would be closer to Balsall Street East, they would be flying higher at that point, due to the area’s distance from the airport.

Now, however, it seems that Option 6, proposed by Balsall Street East, Balsall Common residents and calling for the route to pass closer to Hampton and Barston, may become a reality. For seven months, starting April 2014, both options will undergo trials designed to test precise navigation procedures (RNAV).  Although the trials do not constitute a further consultation process an airport spokesman said they would enable the impact to be objectively assessed to, “help make a more informed decision on the most appropriate option.”

Mission Critical Messaging System Selected by JorAMCo

January 15, 2014
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Mission Critical Messaging System ProvidersJordan Aircraft Maintenance Ltd (JorAMCo) have selected AirVault to provide them with a web-based mission critical messaging service to assist with the management of aircraft maintenance records.

The Amman-based company have experienced steady growth and now need a more efficient messaging system to enhance their growth strategy.

Airline mission critical messaging requires not only efficiency, but reliability and security to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Aircraft maintenance requests and records must be delivered and received in a timely manner to reinforce the efficiency of the operator. Down-time spells financial losses and it is crucial that the entire process runs smoothly, quickly and reliably.

There are many providers of mission critical messaging solutions for aviation companies. Big organisations, such as ARINC, offer AviNet messaging solutions as a part of their integral and operational suite of products.

“We’re proud that JorAMCo chose AirVault as a mission-critical service to support the aircraft maintenance services it provides to its airline customers.  The adoption of AirVault technology by JorAMCo reinforces the value for the MROs of managing aircraft fleet maintenance records across their entire ecosystem of airline customers, business partners, and regulatory authorities,” said CEO of Critical Technologies, John Oldham, “The AirVault cloud-computing service provides the MRO a global conduit to better manage the bi-directional process of aircraft maintenance records files, in synchronization with their airline customers.”

FBO’s Get Ready for Superbowl

January 14, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Superbowl ToursAs the New York Super Bowl fast approaches, the area’s Fixed Base Operators are offering a variety of incentives to potential customers, with many of the best deals being publicised at the NBAA’s Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference in New Orleans.

Sheltair, which has FBOs at five of the airports in the local area had representatives on hand to provide operational information, together with details of events planned for the big day from its bases at John F. Kennedy International, La Guardia, MacArthur, Republic and Francis S. Gabreski Airports. Waiving the usual special-event fees and doubling its AVTRIP rewards points, Sheltair warned potential customers that, due to the increased pressure on the already limited hangar space at MacArthur and Republic airports, allocations could only be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

An FBO at Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) in Islip, Hawthorne Global Aviation, was also at the show; taking advantage of its location slightly away from what will be the busiest airspace to offer what promises to be an exciting customer experience. A twin-engine helicopter can be hired for a 20 minute flight to either New York City prior to the Super Bowl games or Teterboro Airport for the games themselves, at a round-trip cost of $5,000.

Airbus A320 Unveiled by Air Berlin & Etihad

January 13, 2014
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Air-Berlin-Etihad-livery-780The Gulf carrier Etihad has continued its foray into the European aviation market with the unveiling of an Airbus A320 in joint livery with Air Berlin at an event hosted by both Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO of Air Berlin and it’s Vice Chairman, James Hogan, also President of Etihad.

Last year Etihad notably purchased a 49% stake in Air Serbia, formerly known as Jat airlines, and has announced plans to further strengthen its European presence with the purchase of a one third stake in Darwin, which will become Etihad Regional. However, Hogan was circumspect regarding recent reports that Etihad would also soon be announcing an investment in the ailing Alitalia, stating the importance of due diligence and the formation of,  “a clear plan to move to profitability.”

Clearing recent speculation regarding European carriers LOT Polish Airlines and the Latvian Air Baltic, Hogan stated there were no plans to invest in either.

Mexico’s INM Call for Improved Times for APIS Delivery

January 13, 2014
Business Aviation News
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APIS Solutions for Mandatory Passenger Data TransferNew rules from Mexico’s National Institute of Immigration (INM) have prompted FltPlan to expand the capabilities of its current eAPIS system. FltPlan president Ken Wilson said the rules now require Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) manifests be submitted within 30 minutes of any aircraft closing its doors, and warned that breaching them could result in fines of up to $5,000.

Wilson reflected that FltPlan’s five-year plus experience in eAPIS systems and their early adoption of U.S. Customs and Border Protection certification for submission of passenger information made for a relatively easy transition when working with the Mexican government.

FltPlan, which recently exhibited at NBAA’s Schedulers & Dispatchers conference in New Orleans, said its aim was to provide a low-cost, specialist solution. Current annual subscription rates to its eAPIS system are $249, and the Mexico service an additional £200, with $20 per manifest ($40 for a round trip from the U.S. to Mexico).

In-flight Connectivity Takes to the Skies

January 11, 2014
Business Aviation News
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In-Flight Connectivity Solutions ProvidersOnly weeks after the U.S. lifted the ban on in-flight connectivity, Global Eagle Entertainment showcased their new satellite Internet system at the Consumer Electronics Show.

The company claims that their satellite connection provides a more reliable system than air-to-ground providers.

“The satellite is already there and it’s possible to have more bandwidth when needed,” said Simon McLellan, chief engineer for Row44, the technology division of California-based Global Eagle, continuing his explanation that a satellite connection, “allows you to expand the capacity when the demand grows.”

With the demand for passenger in-flight connectivity with mobiles and tablets, and with the limitations lifted, the sky is no longer the limit for aviation communications providers.

Global Eagle have already signed a deal with Southwest Airlines and are set to rival Gogo, who have announced modifications to their ground-based connections in order to provide a hybrid system that will utilise both land and satellite transmissions.

Installation and set up of the system will cost carriers in the region of $300,000 to $500,000 – a cost that will be recouped via passenger fees for the use of the in-flight connectivity services. Some carriers may offer a free connection to premium or first class passengers, but demand is so great for in-flight connectivity, that it will become a matter of competitive interest over the coming year.

Business aviation passengers travelling on private aircraft have enjoyed in-flight connectivity for some time, as expectations are high for these premium services when high-end executive travellers need to operated effectively in their airborne offices.

It is expected that many providers will follow the trend for in-flight connectivity, in spite of the mixed bag of opinions from some big airlines – we shall see!