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Air Safety to be the Focus of IATA Meeting After MH370 Disappearance

April 11, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Solutions for Advanced Passenger Information SystemFollowing the disappearance of flight MH370, the focus of the Annual General Meeting of IATA this key will be enhancing security and finding ways to prevent the recurrence of such an incident.

Tony Tyler, Director-General and CEO of IATA stressed that speculation on the aircraft cannot be a guide to move forward, he said, ‘We need to base our efforts on evidence and conclusions that will come out of investigation. When an incident or accident occurs, our thoughts go to the families and friends of all those on board, and we rededicate our efforts to make this industry even safer.’

Mr Tyler added that the air transport industry is safe, with a low accident-flight ratio, but the ‘world cannot afford to leave the unprecedented missing of such a large aircraft as an aviation mystery’.

Among the issues to be addressed will be the length of time it is taking to locate the missing aircraft and to ensure that adequate flight tracking can be put into place. The issue of airport security and passenger screening has also been highlighted by the fact that two passengers were able to board with stolen passports.

The AGM, scheduled for early June, will focus upon improvements to passenger safety and will discuss the urgency of countries to provide advanced passenger information.

Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line Fusion Avionics for Bombardier’s Latest Business Jet

April 10, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Business Jet Connectivity ProvidersBombardier’s latest addition to the family is the Learjet 85, a beautiful single-aisle business jet with a capacity for up to 8 passengers. The aircraft will include Rockwell Collins’ award-winning Pro-Line Fusion avionics and the horizontal stabiliser trim system (HSTS) for superior flight deck connectivity.

The HSTS helps to control the pitch of the horizontal stabilizer, which can reduce drag and trim the aircraft to improve efficiency for the entire flight. With two placement point in the aircraft frame, safety is optimised, as the Learjet features thinner cabin walls to maximise space inside, improving passenger experience and comfort.

Pro Line Fusion is the latest award-winning offering from Rockwell Collins, featuring the largest LCD displays in the industry at 15.1 inch and a suite of capabilities including, but not limited to:

• Dual Flight Management System
• Localised Performance with Vertical Guidance
• Integrated Flight Information System,
• Synthetic vision
• Intuitive electronic checklists
• Electronic Circuit Breaker display and control

Bombardier’s Learjet 85 took its first flight this week in Wichita, Kansas and will be ready for the first deliveries in early 2015.

Global Business Environment Encouraged by Language Training for Cabin Crew

April 8, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Cabin Services Providers for Enhanced Passenger ExperienceCabin services are set to be enhanced for global business awareness as Japanese airline, All Nippon Airways announced a partnership with EF Education First to provide language training via a cloud-based school.

The plans come in the wake of the recently-released corporate strategy for the airline as it plans to increase passenger operations by 45% over the next two years. Global expansion is a key factor and ANA believe that highly-trained and prepared personnel can contribute to their plans.

ANA was last year awarded the Skytrax 5-star Airline ranking for the quality of cabin services, airport operations and enhancements to the service provided for international passengers.

President and CEO of ANA, Osamu Shinobe has high hopes for his airline, ‘As a full service carrier that is aiming to become the world’s leading airline, we want to further enhance the level of service that is provided by our employees. EF has an excellent track record in providing quality language training programs and this partnership will boost our improvement efforts. I have high expectations that this partnership will lead to even better services for our customers.’

President of EF Education First, Mr Peter Burmann said, ‘We are extremely proud to partner with ANA and support them in reaching their English goals. Our industry-specific expertise makes us well-suited to deliver the necessary customised training to ANA and we are looking forward to starting the training and seeing outstanding results.’

Radio Blackout Could be Caused by Recurring Solar Flares

April 6, 2014
Business Aviation News
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224332-flareScientists have warned that a recurrence of the solar flare that appeared last week could cause further radio blackouts over the coming days to aviation and communications systems. The solar flare was captured on video by the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory on Saturday.

The intense bursts of radiation that solar flares emit, although not causing damage to the Earth, can affect communications as they disturb the layer of the atmosphere that carry signals.

“Though people on the ground will not be affected, satellite systems may be affected and this would likely have an effect on the aviation and communication systems for a while. This may last for up to a few hours,” said Dr Mayank Vahia, cosmic rays scientist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

As the Sun is at is peak of an 11-year cycle, it had been warned by the Indian Centre for Space Physics that there could be ‘dire consequences’ to the satellite systems around the planet, depending upon where they are positioned at the time of the activity.

Suhas Naik-Satam, programme co-ordinator (scientific) at the Nehru Planetarium in Mumbai, said, “The effect on the satellite system cannot be ruled out and therefore all sectors heavily dependent on such communications systems will have to stay alert.”

Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) Awards Support Contract for Aurora ATM System

April 5, 2014
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Air Traffic ManagementAirports Fiji Limited (AFL) has awarded a long-term support contract which will look after the Aurora ATM System, commissioned in May 2010 to Adacel, a developer of Air Traffic Management systems with Headquarters in USA, Canada and Australia and clients all over the world.

The Aurora system gives AFL the flexibility to handle traffic growth, bringing high levels of safety and service to operators. Capabilities include automated conflict detection, control by exception and monitoring, 4D profile protection and dynamic airspace allocation. The use of CPDLC, Air Traffic Service Inter-Facility Data Communications and surveillance incorporating radar has brought AFL to the forefront of ATM technology in the Pacific region.

Mr Faiz Khan, Executive Chairman of AFL said, ‘The introduction of the Aurora system in our airspace allowed us to operate with neighbouring ANSP’s in a completely seamless manner using an already developed and proven system. The performance of our system since commissioning has been exemplary and support from Adacel will assure continuing success in the future.’

Boeing Business Jet Launch – BBJ MAX 8

April 4, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Boeing BBJ Max Business JetBoeing have kickstarted the launch of their latest business jet in the MAX family with an order for the BBJ MAX 8. The undisclosed client is an existing BBJ customer.

The latest jet is based upon the 737 MAX 8, with CFM International LEAP-1B engines and boasts a 14% improvement on fuel economy, which will give better long-range performance over its range of 6,325 nautical miles and Advanced Technology Winglets.

Capt. Steve Taylor, president of Boeing Business Jets said, “The BBJ MAX provides more room, longer range and emits fewer emissions than its nearest competition, making it an ideal choice for today’s BBJ customers.”

The BBJ MAX 8 will have the same size cabin as the BBJ2, at 19 ft longer and with three times the cargo capacity of today’s BBJ, while maintaining the reliability, lower cabin altitude and global support that current clients have grown accustomed to.

“We expect a large demand for the BBJ MAX, particularly for those BBJ owners who want to fly farther and more efficiently and still maintain the exceptional comfort of a BBJ,” Taylor said.

The first flight will be scheduled for 2016 and subsequent deliveries to the first commercial airline clients during 2017. The 737 MAX family has so far received over 1,900 orders from 37 global customers. The first BBJ MAX is to be delivered without an interior, to allow a completely personalised finish for the VIP interior at a centre of the customer’s choice.

Plans are in the pipeline for a BBJ MAX 7 and will also include a BBJ MAX 9, which will offer a 6,255 nautical mile range with the addition of a larger cabin.

Policy Framework Sought by Indian Private Air Operators to Encourage Growth

April 4, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Indian Air Operators Seek PolicyThe Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA) have lodged their displeasure at the lack of policy framework for private operators and non-scheduled operators, blaming in part a shortage of qualified staffing for the DGCA’s downgrade by the FAA. They claim that the surprise checks and subsequent public observations ‘misrepresent the proven safety consciousness prevailing among NSOPs and private aircraft operators’.

BAOA secretary, Capt R K Bali said, ‘It is not fair to make Indian NSOP operators a scapegoat to showcase DGCA’s authority by subjective reporting of the observations during these inspections.’

The BAOA wrote to the Civil Aviation Ministry days after the DCGA grounded a business jet belonging to the Ambani Group, finding fault with several aircraft owned and operated by other corporate houses and charter companies.

The BAOA remain concerned that general aviation has and will continue to suffer due to the ‘complete lack of infrastructure, high taxes and specific policy framework’, adding that the ICAO had requested that India prepare a ‘roadmap for general aviation til 2036’, back in 2012.

“It is not understood why no follow-up action has been taken on this even after two years, while general aviation continues to suffer due to complete neglect of its infrastructural requirements,” Bali said.

A spokesperson for the DCGA has said that the private charter and business aircraft operators will be called for a meeting over the coming weeks to discuss their grievances and issues.

Higher Taxes for Business Aviation Passengers in the UK

April 4, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Business Jet Fares May Rise in UKLast month the UK government announced revisions to the air passenger duty of more than 50%, which could affect business aircraft passengers as the cost is passed on. From 1st April 2015, aircraft weighing more than 20 metric tons with fewer than 19 seats on flights of more than 2,000 miles will race a higher rate of £426. The rate will be £78 for shorter flights, but broader changes mean that flights longer than 6,000 miles will see lower charges.

The APD changes have come as a ‘complete surprise’ to the British Business and General Aviation Association, who have requested a meeting with UK tax officials to attempt to secure amendments to the changes before they come into force next year, warning of ‘unintended consequences’. It is feared that the potential rise in fares for business passengers could damage the business aviation sector and ultimately, the ‘inward investment it brings to the UK’.

ACARS Training made Mandatory for Airline Crew in India

March 31, 2014
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Pioneering Providers of ACARS Messaging It has been announced that the aviation regulator for India has issued a mandate for airline crew to be given training on the ACARS system, following the disappearance and issues surrounding flight MH370.

ACARS delivers and receives mission critical messaging throughout the flight, unless manually deactivated. These messages may include NOTAMs, OOOI, engine information and aircraft performance figures, including air speed, issues, position and weather reporting.

Currently, the only area where ACARS coverage is mandatory is within the North-Atlantic route.

Although some Indian airlines have incorporated ACARS into their aircraft, with the largest operator, IndiGo having used ACARS from their earliest flights, several airlines do not have ACARS capability. Murmurs around the aviation industry suggest that every flight should carry the latest that technology has to offer for mission critical messaging.

European Certifications for Gogo’s Aircell In-flight Entertainment

March 26, 2014
Business Aviation News
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In-Flight Entertainment via Inmarsat SwiftBroadbandGogo company, Aircell are pleased to announce EASA certification for the installation of their in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems for Bombardier Challenger 300 business aircraft.

EASA has awarded Supplemental Type Certificates (STC’s) for their Aviator 300 and UCS 5000 systems. Aviator 400 brings Internet, email and voice applications for both passengers and crew using Inmarsat SwiftBroadband.

UCS 5000, introduced in October last year, gives the industry the first all-in-one router and media server and offers passengers seamless access to in-flight entertainment plus brings router functionality in one box. Passengers will have access to Gogo Vision; an IFE service with a comprehensive library of on-demand movies and TV, in addition to news, weather updates and flight information.