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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.”

Identity Management Solution Streamlines Security at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport

August 1, 2014
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Physical Security & Access Solutions ProvidersThe busiest airport in Latin America is positively humming at the moment with the elevated traffic levels for the World Cup. Expected traffic increases ahead of the Olympics has encouraged a push for modernisation in the airport and security systems.

GRU has implemented an Identity Management System, including both physical and access solutions, which is intended to streamline airport operations. GRU engaged Quantum Secure for the implementation of their ‘SAFE for Aviation’ software.

Identity Management Software can help to streamline operations with the ability to define credentials with necessary privileges and security checks requirements, lifecycle management, and the management of watch lists and TSA ‘No-Fly’ lists during the enrolment process.

Using the software, operatives will be able to use Smartphones and Tablets with the Aviation Mobile Infraction module.

The software is also able to create an audit trail for all employees and visitors, with the option of using fingerprint technology. The sophisticated software will revolutionise the way that GRU employs personnel (temporary and permanent) and moves them, visitors and contractors around the airport.

“SAFE is designed to the TSA paradigm, so we have brought those concepts to GRU, which are meeting and exceeding ANAC’s current capabilities, making airport security more traveler-friendly, secure and streamlined,” said Ajay Jain, President and CEO of Quantum Secure. “With SAFE, GRU is able to streamline its security and credentialing operations, ensure compliance with TSA-level policies and future-proof its physical security infrastructure while also benefiting from significant cost reductions.”

Canadian Pilots and Ground Controllers Using Text

August 1, 2014
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Find out more about CPDLCPilots and Air Traffic Controllers in Canada are embracing aviation technology’s finest innovations and are using text messaging rather than radio to relay mission-critical transmissions and instructional data.

Pilots are able to text changes to flight requests and can receive altitude information, headings, speed and routings via text messages. With the use of the new, text-based messaging service in Canadian skies, particularly for routine communications, the cockpit is becoming more and more automated. The benefits do not stop there – using datalink technology can help to overcome the issues created with international flight. Standard text can eliminate language barriers and potential issues with misunderstanding an accented voice.

With an estimated 2,500 messages per day, the new service is set to streamline Canadian cockpits, saving time and increasing operational productivity.

Airline Operational Messaging Solution Supports Flight Operations at Airports

July 14, 2014
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Other Airport Operations Solutions ProvidersThe National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has awarded a contract for Geospatial Terminal Operations (GTO) to MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd to provide automation for aeronautical charting products associated with airline operational messaging and to support flight operations at airports and airspace.

Aeronautical charting is essential for safe airport operations around the world; providing navigational and geospatial information for pilots and ground crews. Automating the production of such charts will streamline the labour-intensive process and allow for planned integration of systems that will occur over the next three years.

Airline operational messaging must be fast and reliable to ensure smooth, delay-free airport operations. Mission-critical transmissions can incorporate messaging on all levels from air traffic management to ground handling personnel and back office applications.

Type B messages are the typical form of operational messaging for business-to-business communications. Encompassing flight planning capabilities, ACARS messaging and aviation weather data delivery, type B should be seamlessly accurate and reliable.

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.

 

Phones & Laptops Must be Switched On for UK Airport Security

July 11, 2014
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Phones & Laptops Included in Heightened Airport Security MeasuresThe Department of Transport in the UK has expanded upon tightened airport security measures issued earlier this month as they now urge passengers to make sure that mobile phones, tablets and other electronic devices are charged up and ready to be switched on during routine security checks.

Passengers who are unable to comply with the requests may face having devices confiscated under the new rules. The move has been taken following advice from the US after airport security risk was escalated to ‘substantial’ – meaning there is a ‘strong possibility’ of attack from terrorists. Fears arise from intelligence information that terrorist groups could build bomb components from non-metal substances that would be undetected with airport security scanning devices.

A spokesman for the Department of Transport said, “The UK government keeps aviation security under constant review in conjunction with international partners and the aviation industry. On 2 July we announced we were stepping up some of our aviation security measures. In line with the US advice, passengers on some routes into and out of the UK may now also be required to show that electronic devices in their hand luggage are powered up or face not being allowed to bring the device onto the aircraft.”

“Passengers flying into or out of the UK are therefore advised to make sure electronic devices being carried in their hand luggage are charged before they travel,” he added.

Although the government have promised to keep disruption to a minimum, they also stress that public safety remains paramount. Airport security have not confirmed which routes may be affected.

Aviation Messaging Solution Improves Communications

July 10, 2014
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Understand Complex Aviation MessagingAviation messaging involves a complex system of communications across many different mediums and the support infrastructure can become cluttered, difficult to understand and expensive.

Earlier this month, Canada underwent a completion of safety and efficiency enhancements with the implementation of Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC). The introduction of CPDLC offers controllers and pilots the opportunity to communicate over data link or text-type messages rather than voice.

“Miscommunication is a common air safety issue, but there is much less chance of error when both the flight crew and the controller have the ability to communicate using standardized text messaging. With data link there is no need to read-back and hear-back instructions, which often need to be repeated several times due to poor radio reception or voice quality due to static interference and poor reception.” said Rudy Kellar, Executive Vice President, Service Delivery.

Aviation messaging consultants can assist airlines and operators with understanding, simplification and cost-saving with CPDLC and other critical messaging solutions. Type B messaging within aviation environments can streamline processes both in the air and on the ground, minimising delays and increasing operational productivity.

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
Business Aviation News
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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.