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CAAC Validation Achieved for Iridium Communications on 737 Next-Gen Aircraft

August 3, 2014
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Iridium Satellite Communications ProvidersL2 Consulting Services has announced that the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has issued Validation Supplemental Type Certification for the installation of Iridium Satellite Communications Systems on 737 aircraft last month.

This follows the original FAA certificate for Rockwell Collins’ IRT-2120 Iridium SATCOM system and ICG NxtLink ICS-220A, both providing the flight crew with dedicated data link channels to support ACARS, CPDLC, an exclusive global voice channel and FANS messaging.

L2 are avionics engineering, installation and integration providers and have specialised in this area of the industry since 1997, with the integration of digital avionics systems into analog aircraft. The company currently hold existing Iridium certifications for B747, B757 and B767 aircraft and handle the STC regulatory process with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

L2 Vice President of Operations, Dean Rudolph said, “We are delighted to have received the CAAC validation of our STC and are now able to offer our customers in China a fully certified Iridium Communications solution on the B737NG series aircraft.”

New Pilatus PC-24 with Avionics to Support Graphical Flight Planning

July 13, 2014
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PC24 with Graphical Flight Planning - Find Out More...Pilatus have announced that the new PC-24 business jet is ready to be rolled out, expecting to make its first flight before the end of the year.

The stunning new jet will be fitted with a Honeywell Primus Apex flight deck, branded as the Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment and will support graphical flight planning on a moving map displayed on one of the four impressive 12-inch displays. The cockpit will also feature an integrated navigation data service (INDS) for the iPad, supporting the paperless cockpit initiative.

Already, the Pilatus PC-24 has received 84 orders, causing a temporary suspension of new bookings with all projected delivery positions now taken from the end of 2017 to the end of 2019.  As the program continues, the company plan to reopen the order books for the $8.9 million aircraft for 2020.

The aircraft combines the performance of a light jet with the range and size of a midsized aircraft and seats up to 10 passengers in a commuter figuration or six to eight in an executive arrangement with options to remove seats to create a larger baggage compartment.

Certification from Europe and the U.S. will be planned for 2017.

Private Jet Travel Could Save Companies Money Over Commercial

July 11, 2014
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Private Jet Travel Communications for PassengersA delve into the travel arrangements of companies over the past few years has revealed that many corporations could save money over the long-term by using private jet travel over regular commercial flights.

It is not the first method of travel that springs to the mind of a company director when sending employees to other parts of the country to business meetings, yet when taken as a cost-measuring exercise, the results can be surprising.

There are four main modes of private jet transport:

  • Charter
  • Fractional Ownership
  • Jet Card
  • Ownership

Many large corporations do operate, own and run private jets for business purposes. Private jets are not always available for general employees, yet the savings are there to be made.

Taking travel time, airport processing time and flight hours into consideration for a group of employees can add up quickly when using commercial airlines. The time reduction for a business charter flight is significant and when weighed against the ‘down time’ of the employees travelling on commercial airlines, considering the additional passenger connectivity options for business jets, actual work hours can be greatly increased.

Charter flight is perfect for companies that fly employees less than 25 hours per year on a flexible schedule or are headquartered near a major metropolitan centre.

Jet cards are sold in minimum denominations of 25 hours and are ideal for companies that send employees on business trips that involve a stay of longer than 24 hours (no round trip options).

Fractional ownership of a jet means buying segments at a minimum of 50 hours. This option is perfect for those companies that use private jets, but do not want the running costs on their accounts.

If your company measures costs for off-site business meetings, it is easy to see that private jets and the business aviation sector can offer a solution that can spell long-term savings. Business travellers can meet the needs of the company far more effectively when travelling using business aviation – the cost is not measured simply by the price of the seat.

 

ARINC, Developers of ACARS, Suggest Technology Exists to Improve Aircraft Tracking

July 9, 2014
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Providers of Aviation Messaging SystemsARINC Inc, acquired last year by Aeronautics giant, Rockwell Collins, developed and introduced ACARS messaging during the earliest years of commercial flight and insist that the technology is available today for real-time aircraft tracking. The debate continues in the wake of the tragic disappearance of Malaysian flight MH370, now into the fourth month with no news.

In-flight connectivity providers and satellite companies are currently competing for business with Inmarsat, the British satellite company that provided additional information about the ill-fated flight and Iridium both supporting flight deck communications and aircraft tracking solutions as they have done for years.

More than 300 airlines and 15,000 aircraft have relied upon the industry-standard ACARS and ARINC GLOBALink for mission critical transmissions. Rockwell Collins’ CEO, Kelly Ortberg said, “We may have to write some software, we may have to do some different things; upgrade the aircraft to implement this capability, but we don’t need to invest in new technology.”

With VHF datalink extending throughout Central and North America, most of Europe and Asia, Inmarsat’s satellite network providing coverage to expand VHF capability to encompass real-time data reporting and weather updates and Iridium’s network reaching the remote oceanic expanses and Polar Regions, it is clear that the technology is indeed available to bring global coverage within reach of the world’s airlines and operators.

Aviation messaging is under scrutiny at the moment, particularly by IATA and ICAO, who are working together to investigate the options for airlines in terms of global tracking to avoid another MH370 crisis at all costs.

Cabin Electronics for Business Passengers

July 9, 2014
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Business Passengers Enjoy Full ConnectivityBusiness passengers demand high levels of cabin electronics these days to enable them to work as effectively in the air as they can on the ground. The most highly sought-after commodities being aircraft internet, high-speed connections to download presentations and business documents and the ability to research and access email accounts.

In addition, however, there is also an increasing requirement for ambient lighting, charging facilities for phones and tablets, HD flat screen TV, video and in-flight entertainment features.

In an ever-changing marketplace, it is almost impossible to keep up with the technology; the solutions to these requirements getting faster, more sophisticated and with higher-quality connections.

ARINC Direct stay ahead of the competition with seamless connectivity for business passengers via satellite communications from Inmarsat and Iridium networks. High-speed and high-quality connections offer a truly global coverage with flight tracking capabilities that are also increasing in demand in the wake of the tragic disappearance of flight MH370.

Business passengers travel in comfort and can continue to work effectively with scalable cabin electronics solutions from ARINC Direct.

Data Link Upgrade Completed by Jet Aviation Dubai

July 8, 2014
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Data Link Upgrade InformationAviation maintenance providers, Jet Aviation Dubai announced the completion of its first CPDLC, data link upgrade and ADS-B Out installation on a Gulfstream G550 this week for a regional client.

Data link upgrades to avionics offer improvements to communications between controllers and pilots and can add a level of visibility to long-haul communications.

The director of Safety & Maintenance at Jet Aviation Dubai, Wajahat Ali Khan said, “This particular upgrade was technologically challenged and logistically complicated. I am very pleased to note that our team of qualified technicians worked tirelessly to re-deliver the aircraft on schedule.”

Other leading providers of CPDLC and HF data link communications solutions, such as ARINC, acquired last year by the aeronautics giant, Rockwell Collins, have been delivering data link solutions and upgrades for more than a decade. ARINC were one of the very first providers of data link, pioneering ACARS communications which today has become the industry-standard for aircraft messaging. With global coverage, data link upgrades are increasingly in demand.

Many modern aircraft are now manufactured with HF Data Link capabilities as an option and the airlines specifications for the inclusion of the Data Link upgrade are growing at a rate of almost 20% every year.

Honda’s First Production HondaJet Takes Flight

July 4, 2014
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HondaJet First Flight CompletedHonda Aircraft were excited to announce that the first production HondaJet made its first flight last week and reported successful checks during the 84-minute flight. In-flight checks included: landing gear operation, flaps and speed brakes, low and high-speed handling and avionics testing of the Garmin G3000 system.

Test pilot Warren Gould reached an altitude of 15,500 feet and 348 ktas and was greeted by more than 1,000 Honda Aircraft employees upon his return.

President and CEO of Honda Aircraft, Michimasa Fujino said, “With this first flight, the HondaJet program has entered the next exciting phase as we prepare for delivery.”

The beautiful new jet, painted in a deep green pearl colour, is the first in a batch of production models that will be available for delivery after FAA certification, which is expected during the first half of 2015. The five-passenger, single pilot jet is capable of a maximum speed of 420 ktas, altitude of 43,000 feet and has a NBAA IFR range of 1,180 nautical miles.

World Cup Hopes to Boost Business Aviation Conference Interest

July 3, 2014
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Business Aviation Conference in BrazilThis years’ EBACE show to be held at São Paulo Congonhas Airport, will be operating under tough conditions as facilities are limited and a large tent at the show entrance will need to be erected. Organising the event has been a catalogue of delays for the Brazilian industry group, Associação Brasileira de Aviação Geral (ABAG) during a period of remodelling for the venue.

“We’re working with the expectation that the fair will be smaller this year than in 2013, which was smaller than in 2012. If it’s bigger, it will be only slightly bigger,” said ABAG executive director, Ricardo Nogueira.

Attendees for the show have declined over the past few years, with 13,823 visitors last year compared to 16,722 attendees in 2012, which at the time, was largely attributed to bad weather during the show’s opening days.

This year it is hoped that figures will rise due to the location of the World Cup tournament, which will bring a boost to local business aviation.

“All our airplanes are chartered for the World Cup, there’s a lot customer aircraft activity, and we’re doing a lot of FBO work for international visitors,” said a spokesman for TAM Aviação Executiva.

There is already a shortage in ramp space available during the tournament with 83% of business aviation slots reserved – equating to approximately 89,640 movements out of 108,000. Slots for 1,000 business aircraft have been reserved for the tournament traffic, which is expected to decrease as teams are eliminated.

The building that has been used during previous shows for LABACE conference sessions and registration has been commandeered as a remote terminal for business aviation during the World Cup tournament. Infraero airport authority Investments in this facility should benefit LABACE when it is finally handed over for use by ABAG.

Advance Passenger Information System Launch Planned in Dubai

July 3, 2014
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Find out more about Advance Passenger Information SystemFollowing a two-year trial, plans have now been announced for the formal launch of an Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai). The scheme is pending final approval by the Ministry of the Interior, but should be in place by the end of this year or the beginning of 2015.

APIS helps airlines to process passenger informational data and will be a vital part of the border control system of the UAE and aims to reduce passenger checking times to just 20 seconds and thus streamlining the entire passenger processing system to allow for greater efficiency throughout the airport.

“Big organisations require a progressive and ambitious administrative philosophy. The one that is capable of coping with the challenges and at the same time add to its growth and development. GDRFA-Dubai, which deals with millions of people every month from all the segments, follows the same principle. Our cadres are our true treasures,” said GDRFA-Dubai Director-General, Major-General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri.

The Advance Passenger Information System is ready to be implemented at national level, once approved. Major-General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director-General of GDRFA-Dubai, has revealed that the first phase of implementation will begin with Emirates Airlines, with their First and Business class passengers. All other airlines and economy class passengers will benefit from APIS during subsequent phases of implementation.

FANS, CPDLC Training Launched by Rockwell Collins

July 2, 2014
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Find out more about FANS & CPDLCRockwell Collins have announced the launch of a new FANS 1/A+ and CPDLC training course in an agreement signed with Kobev International, data link training provider. A unique Pilot Trainer program, designed to emulate a pilot’s real-world communication with ATC services will aim to provide a realistic experience for pilots in addition to traditional classroom methods.

Rockwell Collins will address CPDLC as one of the several NextGen technologies, introducing pilots to Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), Aeronautical Operational Control (AOC) and Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network communications over ACARS protocols.

The aim of the course will be to further improve pilot interface and interaction with new avionics systems onboard modern aircraft before the CPDLC mandates come into force early in 2015.

Bob Richard, staff vice president of ARINC Direct IMS division of Rockwell Collins said, “Using our Pilot Trainer emulation program enables pilots and flight crews to have an interactive experience with real time feedback, which provides an improved understanding of FANS”.