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Private Jet Purchases to Rise with Business Passenger Communications

January 10, 2014
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Passenger Communications Services for Business JetsExecutive jet travel is set to increase with between 6,500 – 10,000 private jets predicted to be purchased in the next 8 years. The reasons for its popularity are clear; speed and comfort will always appeal, but on-board communication systems on modern jets can offer a further inducement to business travellers – the ability to offer all the communications capabilities of the office.

Satcom1, an aeronautical satellite communication solutions provider has stated its commitment to extending these capabilities to helicopters in 2014. Not such an easy task, as CEO and Co-founder Karina Larsen explained. “The challenge has always been to manage the rotor wing, so we had to redesign the network in a way that it compensates for the fast interruptions.” The resulting improvements will impact helicopter travel in many ways, from providing the communications data necessary for a TV, to fulfilling the complex requirements of service craft.

As the private aviation industry grows, particularly in emerging markets, Larsen has stated Satcom1’s intention to further develop. With its current business in the Middle East steadily increasing the company is now looking to the potential offered by Asia and Brazil, the latter already being home to Embraer. Of the other BRIC nations, Larsen says that only Russia has the required infrastructure. However, there is certainly a demand for satellite communication technology in aviation and Larsen expects that Satcom1s’s ability to provide complete solutions will leave it well-placed to capitalise on every opportunity as new markets emerge.

New Technology Division for Aircraft Communications Launched by Rockwell Collins

January 7, 2014
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Inflight Aviation Communications Solutions for Business AviationRockwell Collins Inc. has opened a new technology division to further extend its reputation as a manufacturer of aircraft electronics after its $1.4 billion acquisition of ARINC Inc., its largest to date.

It is expected that ARINC’s long-standing, industry-leading aircraft communications experience will bring a strong foundation to the table.

Heading the division will be Jeff Standerski, bringing his 25-years of experience with Rockwell to bear on the development of an Information Management Services unit that, according to Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ortberg, will offer “a network in the sky.”

The emergence of smart aircraft, such as Boeing Co. (BA)’s 787 Dreamliner and Airbus SAS’s A380 and A350 jets, has led to an increasing reliance on powerful on-board computers. Ortberg anticipates that Arinc Inc., founded in 1929 and with a long history of providing air-to-ground communications is ripe for further development.

ARINC’s current subscription services, covering everything from in-flight e-mail services to the provision of real-time weather and flight data to pilots via its Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System are reported to assist in over 100,000 flights each day. In combination with Rockwell’s computer architecture Ortberg envisions the creation of new air-to-ground links and other applications that will, ultimately, transform the aviation industry.

Flying Times Could be Halved – The Future of Jet Travel?

January 2, 2014
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Spike Aerospace's Supersonic JetIt’s a fast moving world, and it’s set to get even faster with the planned introduction of Spike Aerospace’s S-512 supersonic jet aircraft. Two years in design, its Boston based engineers aim for it to halve international travel times, flying at up to 1,100mph with the ability to reach Mach 1.6.   In practical terms that means a trip from Los Angeles to Tokyo should take just five hours.

If that sounds hopeful, its worth remembering that the Spike Aerospace team already have an impressive track record, with experience gained from working with some of the most renowned aircraft companies. Even the occasional traveller cannot fail to recognise such names as Airbus, Bombardier and Gulfstream.

Supersonic travel certainly won’t come cheap, though. The luxury jet will cater for just 12-18 travellers, and with a price tag of between $60- $80million (£36.3-£48.4million), it is expected to appeal initially to multinational companies and busy executives; for whom time really is money.

For now, it’s not cash but patience that will have to be the watchword for the hopeful supersonic traveller. The dream of “crossing the pond” in little more time than it currently takes to ferry across the English Channel to France will have to remain so for just a little while longer. Spike Aerospace has announced that the inaugural flight is planned for December 2018 – with a headlining London to New York time of just three hours.

However, the Federal Aviation Authority’s current ban on supersonic flight over America means that onward travel may not be quite so fast, although NASA and Boeing are both aiming to develop supersonic craft that reduce sonic boom.

Commercial Air Travel Celebrates Centenary Year

January 1, 2014
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Commercial Air Travel Centenary YearAir passengers taking advantage of the recent holidays to travel to far-flung climes, or those regularly nipping a few thousand miles to be united with friends and family have good cause to celebrate this centenary year of commercial air travel.

It’s hard to imagine that this globally vital industry, averaging over 8 million passengers and 140,000 tons of cargo per day began 100 years ago with a single passenger, Abram Pheil, Mayor of St. Petersburg; travelling with a ticket won at auction for $400.  It was an inauspicious start for an industry that today carries around 50 million tons of cargo worth in the region of $6.4 trillion per year, a figure representing some 35% of the value of all traded goods.

With funding organised by Percival Fansler, Pheil as passenger, and Tony Jannus as pilot, the 23 minute flight of Thomas Benoist’s airboat across Florida’s Tampa Bay on New Year’s Day 1914 went down in history not just as the inaugural journey of the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line, but that of commercial flight.

As the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced a year-long celebration of the centenary it’s certainly worth considering how far commercial flight has come in that time. Last year annual passenger numbers reached 3.1 billion, exceeding all previous records, and this year it’s anticipated records will be broken again with 3.3 billion journeys. The figures are staggering enough but even more so when one considers they are equivalent to 44% of the global population.

The contribution of commercial flight to all aspects of modern life is well-recognised by IATA director-general and CEO Tony Tyler who said, “The first flight provided a short-cut across Tampa Bay. Today, the aviation industry re-unites loved ones, connects cultures, expands minds, opens markets, and fosters development.”  But the centenary year is not just about looking to aviation’s past, nor even to its present success. As Tyler says, “A hundred years is something worth celebrating. And we look forward to creating an equally remarkable legacy for commercial aviation’s second century.”

Competition Grows as Low Cost Carriers Move to Long Haul Flight Communications

December 31, 2013
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Although complaints arose over the Christmas period as delays grounded passengers around the globe, the move to long haul flight communications for low-cost airlines is set to light the fires of competitive costs within the industry.

Long-Haul Flight Communications Solutions ProvidersRecently, Norwegian Air Shuttle announced a new strategy that promises discount flying to long-haul routes such as Bangkok, Florida and New York and has ordered a fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft.

Ryanair are also making noises about plans to introduce long-haul flights once prices for wide-body aircraft come down.

Long haul flight communications ensure that global coverage is achieved. High Frequency Data Link is the answer. Communications can be transmitted and received via a network of ground-based stations and satellite networks that can provide truly global, seamless coverage, critical for long-haul flights across oceanic expanses and Polar Regions, where ground-based stations are intermittent.

 

Airport Perimeter Security Breach Raises Serious Industry Concerns

December 28, 2013
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Airport Perimeter Security Solutions ProvidersTwo separate incidents of an airport perimeter security breach on Christmas Day have highlighted the importance of effective surveillance – industry-wide.

Each incident happened at different airports – one at Newark International, where a man breached the airport perimeter security fence and remained undetected as he crossed two runways to reach a terminal before being spotted by an airline employee.

The second incident occurred at Phoenix Sky Harbor International later that day. The man scaled a nine-foot high fence and ran onto the tarmac waving his arms at a plane before being captured by airport security.

Although both airports had airport perimeter security surveillance, neither detected signs of the trespassers.

Questions have now been raised, especially as the Transport Security Administration has no mandate in place for the requirement of full-time surveillance of airport perimeter security fences.

This appears not to be an isolated problem. There is an industry-wide call for greater importance to be addressed for airport perimeter security.

ARINC Acquisition Completed by Rockwell Collins

December 26, 2013
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ARINC Headquarters Complex at AnnapolisIowa-based aviation equipment supplier, Rockwell Collins has announced the completion of the acquisition of ARINC Inc, also confirming that two subsidiaries have been sold and that the Annapolis employees will not be immediately affected.

The ARINC Industry Standards Organization has been sold to SAE International and plans to divest ARINC’s Aerospace Systems Engineering and Support, based in Oklahoma City are underway. Both sales and integrations are expected to take six to nine months to complete. For the foreseeable future, Rockwell Collins has no plans to close the Annapolis Headquarters or relocate any staff.

Similarly, the 300-strong workforce in Oklahoma City will see business as usual for the time being.

Rockwell Collins announced its intention to buy ARINC in August this year for $1.39 billion and expect revenues of more than $600 million within the next quarter.

Cessna M2 Achieves FAA Certification and First Deliveries

December 23, 2013
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The Cessna Aircraft Company, owned by Textron Inc is celebrating today after the first deliveries and FAA type certification of the Citation M2 jet is achieved. Announced in September 2011 and the prototype first flown in March 2012, the development and certification process has involved over 150,000 hours in addition to almost 1,000 test flight hours over 360,00 nautical miles.

Cessna’s senior vice-president of business jets, Mr Brad Thress said, “Cessna is once more redefining the light jet segment with the Citation M2. We’re proud to get the M2 into the marketplace and see the aircraft begin to set the standard for the next generation of business aviation.”

Cessna M2 Business JetThe beautiful jet is certified for single-pilot operation and has a flight capacity of 1,300 nautical miles at a cruise speed of 460 miles per hour. With an operational ability to work on short runways and able to climb to 41,000 ft in 24 minutes, the Citation M2 is flexible and efficient, featuring two Williams FJ44 engines.

“The Citation M2 is a versatile aircraft that fits many markets and missions, attracting owner-operators looking for an advanced, innovative aircraft of this size, capability, and value. Our launch customer, Stuart Woods, represents this type of customer: owners moving up from their Citation Mustang. Further, many new M2 owners are upgrading from a turboprop, while still others are moving laterally to a newer, same-size business jet. With its single-pilot certification, the Citation M2 has room for six passengers and is faster than many comparable aircraft, making it a strong performer in this segment,” continued Mr Thress.

The Citation M2 certainly has style and this continues into the cockpit and the roomy cabin, with Garmin 3000 avionics, high-resolution displays and touch-screen interactivity.

The six-passenger capacity cabin has eight large windows and adjustable seats and provides an aisle height of 57 inches.

Confusion in Delhi as Passengers Delayed by Bad Weather

December 19, 2013
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Critical Messaging for Aviation Weather DataWeather issues in aviation can cause disruption on many levels, which is why critical messaging is high on the list of operational priorities for most airlines.

Although not all airlines seem to handle these adverse conditions too well, as was apparent in Delhi over the last few days. Passengers were left stranded, some since Tuesday evening with little or no information, food or indeed luggage, as flights were delayed and cancelled due to foggy conditions.

There were closed desks and mobbed airline staff as the situation reached fever pitch with some passengers left standing on tarmac for more than an hour.

Traveller Annamma Sam George, who had lost her baggage enroute from America earlier in the week said, “I will never come to Delhi again in the winter. The airport authorities are probably too busy handling the cancelled and delayed flights, but my valuables are in the bag and I’m running out of cash.”

The T3 visitors lounge was packed with anxious, stranded passengers simply left with nothing.

Nothing can be done about the weather – that much is clear – but with advanced messaging solutions within aviation, there is certainly room for improvement upon passenger services and facilities in adverse conditions and situations.

Concerns Raised with EU Block on Passenger Data

December 19, 2013
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Provision of Passenger Data to Enhance SecurityConcerns are growing for security chiefs about the increasing risk of potential terrorists being allowed to travel freely around Europe after the release and use of passenger data was blocked on human rights grounds earlier this year.

Cressida Dick, Assistant Commissioner of the Met expressed a warning that young men are able to fly to Turkey, hire a car and drive across the border into Syria. Her concern is that a ‘small number could fall under the spell of terrorists and return to Britain with deadly skills and motivation’.

Passenger data has been effectively used to identify potential high-risk passengers, alerting government agencies and border control before those passengers touch down at their destination. Supporters of the share of this data, referred to as Advanced Passenger Information (API) say that the information is critical to help track terrorists, people traffickers and serious criminals that regularly traverse international borders.

The system was developed after the terror attacks of 9/11 and is mandatory for passengers travelling to and within the U.S. and other parts of the world.

API is delivered electronically via the DCS of airlines. Providers maintain reliable, secure delivery and limited access to the information.

The Civil Liberties Committee of the EP claim that the passenger data storage system raises privacy concerns and critics are unhappy about the data being kept for five years, which could lead to passenger profiling.

As the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator points out that the numbers of fighters travelling to Syria is increasing, it has made a call to put airline passenger information availability back into practice, giving security officials the ability to track the movements of particular groups across Europe.

The head of MI5, Mr Andrew Parker, revealed that spies had observed ‘hundreds of people’ travel to Syria and added that some had indeed returned to the UK.

It is unclear how, when or even if, the use of passenger data may return to the forefront of aviation travel in Europe.