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Tag Archives: aviation operational messaging

ADS-B Equipage Mandate Privacy Proposals Explored by FAAIt has been a concern of business aviation officials that mode-S transponder transmissions can be tracked online and traced to the originator. Since most networking with ICAO addresses is now processed via the internet, reservations have been expressed throughout the aviation community and a working group was set up as part of the ADS-B Equip 2020 panel to investigate and discuss privacy concerns, and to put forward proposals for tight security for transmissions.

A white paper was delivered surrounding measures for proposed security for mode-S transponders this week and includes proposed development of the ability to change codes on a regular basis. This would involve the introduction of a privacy office to handle such changes. In the long-term, the FAA should explore encryption possibilities within the transponder itself.

Find Out More About CPDLC | Industry Aviation Communications ProvidersAssociated Air Center president, Mr James Colleary is pleased to announce what he refers to as a ‘significant industry accomplishment’, as his company are awarded supplemental type certification for an out-of-production Boeing aircraft.

The company was awarded STC for installation of CPDLC-FANS system on the Boeing 757-200, which includes an ICG Iridium satcom system, new ACARS and a cockpit voice recorder.

Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and Future Air Navigation System (FANS) are set to become mandatory by 2020 as a part of the Single European Sky initiative, which will make the congested skies over Europe safer and more easily managed.

Find Out More About Passenger Processing Systems and Airport Technology IntegrationIt has been announced that Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) are to replace their current airport technology with an upgrade to improve their operational efficiency using a common use platform.

The airport will use AirIT’s EASE (Extended Airline System Environment) to increase flexibility for their major operations, including passenger processing, flight information displays, airport database operation and airline resources with a shared option to allow leverage of airport network infrastructure.

These and other providers of common use airport management systems, such as Rockwell Collins’ ARINC, deliver the opportunity for airports across the world to integrate systems and give airlines greater flexibility in terms of cost-management and efficiency.

Providers of Systems for Sharing Data | Advance Passenger Information Systems (APIS)In a recent article, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have reinforced their opinion that sharing data throughout the world is critically important to track and monitor the movements of potential threats, particularly in the environment of international air travel.

Since 9/11 the issue of aviation security has been high on the agenda for the U.S. and for many of its international partners. Recently, with the spread of threat against the west from militant groups such as the Islamic State organisation, security forces all over the world are stepping up security measures in a bid to control or at least monitor the movement of its members and those who are leaving their home countries to join these terrorist groups.

To mitigate such risks to national and international security, given that the number of air travellers consistently rises by an average of 5% every year, DHS maintain that sharing data is the strongest way to monitor passengers. The introduction of Advance Passenger Information (API), a system that is fast-spreading throughout the world, gives agencies and governments the opportunity to analyse passenger data before aircraft leave the ground for their destination country on a domestic and an international scale.

DHS believes that the coordination of sharing data is as important as the collection of API. Sharing must be seamless, between airports and authorities, governments and agencies and between countries. Only then can the process of sharing data be effective.

Leading Providers of CPDLC for Commercial AviationAs a part of the Single European Skies ATM Research (SESAR) joint undertaking, the Iris Precursor Programme phase one completion takes Europe another step closer to its goal of creating the worlds most advanced air traffic management infrastructure.

Now, with phase one completed, another €7.6 million of funding will now be made available by the European Space Agency (ESA) and its partners to commence phase two, which will focus on the satellite network overlay.

ESA’s Iris Precursor Programme is operating in partnership with Inmarsat, the well-known British satellite company and will provide the means to streamline the current ATM system and allow aircraft to use Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) to its maximum efficiency, increasing safety significantly over Europe.

Aviation Industry NewsAn official from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has said that the case for missing flight MH370 cannot close until the plane is found, despite spiralling costs as the search continues.

Until conclusive evidence can be uncovered about the whereabouts or the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines aircraft, then search efforts, currently led by Australia will continue.

The search has cost an estimated U.S. $11 million since it began in March last year and the ICAO maintain that the responsibility for the search must remain with Malaysia, China and Australia.

There is still no evidence to suggest the reason for the aircraft losing radar coverage, and the ICAO are no closer to knowing whether it was a safety issue, a security or a technical issue.

Mr Raymond Benjamin, secretary-general for the ICAO said, “Without the wreckage, we don’t know.”

Providers of Free Messaging Audits to Help Manage Aviation CostsThirteen Indonesian airlines have been issued with an ultimatum by the Ministry of Transport to improve their finances by the end of the month.

With risks to their operator licenses, the airlines must begin to address their financial situations as many are in negative equity, which is leading to safety concerns.

The pressures placed upon global airlines is enormous, with fuel price fluctuations, ground fees and maintenance mandates, to name but a few. Messaging costs can spiral out of control in a system that can be complex, confusing and expensive.

Aviation consultancy specialists can help in certain areas and can help airlines to manage these kinds of costs more effectively.

Find out more about IATAIt has been announced that a collaboration between IATA and Tel Aviv University has resulted in a signed deal this week to develop technology that is aimed at improving aviation safety in the areas of big data, cyber security and authentication and general security.

IATA represent much of the passenger and cargo transportation across the world – 83% – and deal with a wide range of issues, including streamlining and simplifying both ground-based and airborne operational procedures.

The simplification of processes, including airline messaging, which is historically complex and expensive, can improve airport operations on a global scale.

Find out more about HFDL for commercial aviationAs most of the aviation world looks to satellite communications, let’s spare a thought for High Frequency Data Link, commonly known as HFDL. Primarily used for long-haul and trans-oceanic flights, when VHF line of sight communications is insufficient, HFDL is a HF data link protocol, operated by ARINC as a GLOBALink ACARS service via a ground network of HF stations, whose coverage spans much of the Earth’s surface.

More robust than voice communications, HFDL transmissions are often used by the military and on board aircraft, HFDL integrates seamlessly with the flight management systems.

Recent developments in software for HFDL means that the service offers comparable message success rates to VHF and satellite datalink.

Find out more about Rockwell Collins' ARINC passenger processing solutionsThe Philippines plan to streamline the passenger processing system for their Mactan Cebu International Airport by implementing a range of Rockwell Collins’ ARINC airport solutions.

Among the upgrades will be the installation of ARINC VeriPax on the Gunnebo Security Group automated gates in a collaboration between the two companies. This will enhance security with an automatic validation of passenger flight details at check-in.

The airport already uses ARINC vMUSE common-use technology and self-service check-in kiosks.