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Data Link Upgrade Completed by Jet Aviation Dubai

July 8, 2014
Business Aviation News
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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.

Skyservice Business Aviation Signs Deal to Include Flight Tracking

July 7, 2014
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Other Real-Time Flight Tracking ProvidersIt has been announced that Skyservice Business Aviation operators have signed a deal that will give real-time flight tracking benefits on a global scale.

The solution, to be installed on Learjet 45’s that make up the Skyservice Air Ambulance fleet, will also offer data collection for maintenance purposes and monitoring functions to enable issue fixing and thus minimising potential downtime and helping to increase operational productivity.

The agreement has been signed initially for five years at an estimated value of $550,000, based on potential flight hours and list prices. Skyservice has signed a contract with Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd, a Canadian-based technology company with a focus on aerospace solutions.

Sam Cimone, President of Skyservice Business Aviation said “Our company is continuously looking at improving its operations and efficiency and more importantly, the safety of our passengers and clients. The STAR-A.D.S. (TM) solution, with the precise data it continuously and globally provides, coupled with its analysis abilities, will enhance our performance, and assist us in monitoring the aircraft in real time. This will ensure better utilization of the aircraft and safety for the passenger”.

As we enter the fourth month following the unprecedented disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, more airlines and operators are looking to real-time flight tracking solutions.

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”.

Advanced Information Management Company Launched with Airways NZ

July 1, 2014
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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 Initiative Launched

July 1, 2014
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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 CMU Ready for FANS Approval

June 23, 2014
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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.”

Advanced Airport Management System Company Acquired by Woolpert

June 23, 2014
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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.