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Airport Security ProvidersUK PM David Cameron today said that the safety of air passengers ‘must come first’ when commenting on the tightening of airport security across the UK amidst fears of possible terrorist attacks announced in Washington.

It is hoped that unnecessary delays are not caused, but it is clear that no risks can be taken with the threat of an attack plot from the Yemen and Syrian extremist groups.

Mr Cameron said, speaking to the BBC yesterday, “We take these decisions looking at the evidence in front of us and working with our partners. This is something we’ve discussed with the Americans and what we have done is put in place some extra precautions and extra checks. The safety of the travelling public must come first. We mustn’t take any risks with that. I hope this won’t lead to unnecessary delays but it’s very important that we always put safety first, and we do.”

For the time being, airport security measures will be tightened, although it is not yet clear to what extent. Significant disruption is expected, but airport security officials are working closely with the UK government to initiate procedures that keep delays to a minimum. Air passengers are advised to allow plenty of time to pass through security at the borders.

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”.

Find out more about Aviation Information Management SolutionsThe Asia Pacific region sees a new advanced information management company launched today with a partnership between GroupEAD Europe and Airways New Zealand.

Using a cloud-based system, the company aim to remove the need for new installations of technology hardware to give their customers flexibility for cost-management while meeting the ICAO AIM to SWIM transition requirements.

“Aeronautical information management is quickly changing the way the aviation industry operates, with a new focus on the whole information picture rather than the provision of standard products. This joint venture offers support to regions, states, airports and airlines needing to improve their data distribution and to meet the new ICAO standards,” said Mr Heinz-Michael Kraft, CEO of GroupEAD Europe.

Leading advanced information management (AIM) providers, such as ARINC, can help to streamline airport operations and give operational agility to operators, airports and airlines with cost efficient solutions for the management of data, mission critical messaging and other communications solutions.

As airports move towards more cost oriented operations management, AIM solutions can help to create a secure, reliable platform that facilitates swift access to vital security data while maintaining the stringent standards set by governing agencies.

Social Media Marketing in AviationPrivate aviation company, Kestrel Aircraft, has realised that a corporate shift has become necessary for them to communicate with their customers via a new social media initiative and is embracing the platforms as a ‘primary conduit to the general aviation industry’.

The official Kestrel site has been converted to a content management system that will deliver content to various social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ in addition to creating short video posts that will document their progress towards certification. The company’s adoption of a collaborative communication strategy places them in a strong position in the aviation marketplace.

RJ Siegel, Chief Technologist at Kestrel said, commenting upon the slow uptake of the aviation industry to adopt the changes in social communication, “Social media promotes interaction between makers and users, which in turn provides rapid feedback and of course, promotes innovation. This is a vast communication channel which is only beginning to find its way into aviation”.

Aviation Data Link Services ProvidersUniversal Avionics announced at the EBACE convention that Clay Lacy Aviation is ready to offer an STC to provide FANS 1/A+ capability for the Gulfstream GIV and GIV -SP models with the UniLink UL-801 Communications Management System (CMU).

Initial certification aircraft installation started in January and STC approval is expected before the end of September, when application for EASA certification will take place.

The installation for FANS encompasses the UniLink UL-801, Cockpit voice recorder, Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) functionalities.

As the date for EuroControl mandates approaches, airlines and operators are preparing for compliance in both commercial and business aircraft.

“The cost of non-compliance to long range business jets is significant, affecting routing, flight time and fuel burn,” said Universal Avionics director of sales, Robert Clare. “Operators may experience challenges flying within the North Atlantic Track System if the aircraft is not equipped for FANS capabilities, such as being routed to lower altitudes, causing a considerable increase in fuel burn.”

Airport Management Systems ProvidersElectronic Logging System (ELS), software for airport operational management, has been acquired by Woolpert, Dayton-based geospatial, infrastructure management and design company. ELS is designed to simplify specific record-keeping and FAA compliant tasks including collaborative processes, airfield safety inspections and reporting.

“Woolpert is excited to work with existing ELS clients to help them achieve even greater levels of efficiency,” said Woolpert’s senior vice president and aviation practice leader, Tom Mochty. “We also look forward to assisting new clients who have been looking for the right opportunity to modernize the tools in their operational toolkit.”

Airport management systems providers bring real-time benefits to operations, with features for NOTAMs information, critical messaging, maintenance management and passenger information processes, encouraging increased efficiency and ultimately, greater operational productivity. Systems differ according to provider and companies such as ARINC, offer comprehensive messaging platforms to ensure seamless reliability throughout the messaging environment.

Woolpert maintain ‘business as usual’ for all existing ELS clients and users of the system, offering 24/7 support and hope to bring improvements over the coming year to enhance the functionality of the current software.

nice-business jets 22-06-14According to a recent study conducted by Private Jet Charter, the French city of Nice is the most popular destination for private jets out of the UAE, with five trips per year.

Following a close second is Paris for shopping, with four trips annually, then London for business, with two trips per year.

Nice is thought to be the most popular destination due to the belief that UAE high-net-worth individuals prefer to escape the hot summer months by travelling to high-end parts of Europe. Geneva is also popular for skiing during the season.

The report goes on to comment that UAE private jet users appreciate the ‘luxury and hassle-free environment’ that is provided by private charter and many are beginning to use private jets to connect to scheduled commercial airlines to destinations that are not on a standard route.

The staunch growth witnessed in the UAE of business aviation is also partly attributed to the new Al Makhtoum International Airport in Dubai, which now has exclusive private jet facilities with reduced slot restrictions and luxurious lounges.

It is thought that more and more exclusive requirements will need to be met across the UAE and further afield as the business aviation community grows.

Other Providers of the Electronic Flight Bag for Business Aviation

Jeppesen, part of Boeing’s Commercial Aviation Services, has launched the latest version of its Electronic Flight Bag software for Windows 8. FliteDeck Pro has been specifically designed for use with Windows 8 operating systems for tablets and can help to streamline the use of data for navigational information and flight planning for airlines, business jet operators and military fleet programs.

iPad applications are becoming increasingly popular within the business aviation industry as a significant contributor to weight-saving initiatives and fuel consumption savings and is another step closer to a paperless cockpit environment.

Electronic flight bag (EFB) providers aim to streamline the entire process of flight planning and filing flight plans and many applications give pilots and flight crew direct access to all operational information via tablets. Cloud-based applications give comprehensive access to critical data and allow simplified data sharing amongst relevant parties under a secure connection.

Jeppesens’ EFB solution has been integrated by Delta Airlines to increase efficiency in a scalable data management initiative. Managed by the global Jeppesen Distribution Manager Pro, the secure network offers reliability throughout operational activity.

“Pilots will now be able to open two applications side-by-side on screen to access critical flight information such as text and enroute charts in a split view, with Windows 8,” said Tracy Issel, Microsoft general manager for retail, consumer goods, hospitality and travel. “The full HD 1080p Surface tablet provides seamless delivery of real-time flight data from Jeppesen in all lighting conditions, and pilots can configure their tablet to provide the right information at the right time.”

Business Jet Communications Solutions ProvidersPrivate jet operators are noticing that as executive aircraft get bigger, faster and with longer-range capabilities, the demand for parking, hangar space and landing slots is causing problems. There is a widespread call for improved infrastructure to allow some flexibility within the flight plan.

Flight planning involves many thousands of minute calculations, including slot management and route management and as executives fly to further-flung destinations with fewer facilities, parking problems are causing increasing headaches for operators.

Many International airports are unprepared for the volume of business jets, having been designed 10-20 years ago when business jets were traditionally smaller.  This has resulted in rising parking charges and, in some cases, limited slot times that require faster turnaround times on the ground and parking elsewhere before returning to collect the owners.

Flight planning must take all these factors into account and is a service that is offered by third-party providers for business aviation. Most individual owners cannot afford the luxury of a full-time planning department as commercial carriers employ. Flight planning providers, such as ARINC Direct, specifically cater for private jet operators, whether with one aircraft or an entire fleet.

Manufacturers are working towards making improvements to the infrastructure of business aviation, Gulfstream, for example, opened the first service centre in Asia; in Beijing, and has added four full-service airport centres with maintenance and hangar facilities exclusively for business jet aircraft. Earlier this year Bombardier opened a service centre in Singapore, realising that growth will spell more demand.

Find out more about CUTE Passenger Processing SolutionsRockwell Collins have today announced that Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport have selected the latest ARINC vMUSE Common Use Passenger Processing System for implementation.

In addition, the contract will involve the installation of ARINC SelfServ common use kiosk software, ARINC VeriPax passenger reconciliation system and will update local departure control systems and flight information displays.

“We’re pleased to extend and expand a partnership which dates back to 2004,” said Karen Walkes, director of engineering for GAIA Inc. “Rockwell Collins’ vMUSE system, as well as its other technologies, provides our airport with the most efficient ways to process passengers—and improve customer service—throughout our facilities.”

The airport are the first in the world to operate Rockwell Collins’ common use platform on wireless network alone and look forward to the implementation of vMUSE to bring new efficiencies and savings.

Self service passenger check-in and baggage handling systems are fast growing in popularity on a global scale as passengers continue to take more and more control of their journey. Enhancing passenger experience and streamlining operations from end-to-end is the solution for many airports and airlines to ground delays, while maintaining utmost security.