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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.

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.”

In-flight Connectivity Takes to the Skies

January 11, 2014
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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!

 

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.

L2 Given Go-Ahead for CPDLC on 767

January 6, 2014
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Other Leading Datalink Communications ProvidersAvionics engineering company, L2 Consulting Services, Inc. (L2) recently announced it has received a Federal Aviation Administration Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of the International Communications Group, Inc. (ICG) Iridium Communications System on 767 series aircraft.

A dedicated datalink channel will be able to support Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), Future Air Navigation System (FANs) messaging, Automatic Dependent Surveillance Contract (ADS-C) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC).

Having developed the integration engineering, produced the installation kits and project managed throughout, including the STC process, L2 will now be allowed to install comprehensive communications systems via ICG NxtLink Series ICS-120A and ICS-220A line replaceable units.

Michael Eiras, Senior Director of L2 Technical Services welcomed the Iridium Communications System STC on the 767 aircraft saying it would ‘complement the companies current portfolio of SATCOM installations on the 737, 747, 757 and 777 aircraft.’

PIA Airlines Must Cut Operational Costs for Survival

January 1, 2014
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Cut Operational Costs with Consultancy ServicesThe board of directors for Pakistan International Airlines have rejected proposed budget plans for 2014, highlighting the airlines’ need to cut operational costs in order to continue to survive.

The reality is that this is happening across the globe and, especially in the global financial climate, the consensus is that many airlines, regardless of size, must look at ways to cut operational costs.

Although many countries announce a promising recovery from financial despair, it is clear that the changes may not come quickly enough for some.

Aviation consultancy agencies offer a service that has become invaluable in order to recognise the areas that can cut operational costs.

Big companies, such as ARINC, who bring more than 80 years of aviation messaging experience to the table, are able to offer insightful evidence that operational messaging budgets can be cut considerably. Saving money in this area can help enormously when operations management is considered.

Web-based solutions and cost-sharing programs for multiple airlines are made possible with CUTE systems and vMUSE technology.

Like PIA, airlines across the world can benefit from consultancy services when business survival is on the line.

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.

National Institute of Immigration in Mexico Selects ARINC’s e-Government Solution

December 11, 2013
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Passenger Data Solutions ProvidersIn a move to improve border security and enhance accountability, Mexico’s National Institute of Immigration has chosen ARINC’s e-Government solution. The solution will support Mexico’s immigration policies, enabling the government to improve the process of assessing individuals upon entry in addition to monitoring exit from the country.

The collection of Advanced Passenger Information (API) is a large part of the solution and complies with U.S. mandates in this area. Data gathered allows a detailed review of the passengers before they land in the destination country and can help to recognise high risk passengers, which in turn, allows greater efficiency when managing passenger processing, enhances border security and speeds up the entire process.

ARINC and the INM plan to have the system in place and operational by the end of this year and look forward to the vast improvements that it will allow. The e-Government program is a part of the ARINC electronic borders portfolio, specifically developed to meet modern security and government requirements.

The improvements will service more than 250 commercial airlines that currently operate in Mexico, delivering all the API messaging into the country once the implementations are completed.

“ARINC looks forward to a long and productive relationship with the government of Mexico and our close partners, INM,” said Vice President of ARINC Global Network and IT Solutions, Yun Chong, “Airports and other points of entry must meet border security requirements while still providing the highest levels of customer service. We are committed to helping INM meet its current and future border security and control objectives.”