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Satellite Data Link Solutions Provider Latitude Begin Certification Process for FANS 1/A+

November 1, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Satellite Data LinkAt the National Business Aviation Association convention last month in Las Vegas, satellite data link solutions providers, Latitude Technologies announced it has begun the process of achieving certification for its Future Air Navigation System (FANS) data link transceiver.

The system will transmit real-time satellite data link communications of safety services data over and via the Iridium satellite network.

“At Latitude, we pride ourselves at always being in the lead bringing to market new technologies developed specifically to help our customers to fly more efficiently, more safely, and more cost effectively,” said President of Latitude Technologies, Mark Insley, at the convention, “FANS-equipped commercial and executive jets are the way of the future and Latitude is very pleased to add FANS to our broad range of FDM, AFF, and SatCom products.”

FANS satellite data link communications can also help long-range business jets with the qualification of FANS compliant aircraft, enabling dynamic route planning and en route flight optimization.

Other satellite data link communications providers, such as ARINC Direct, also offer FANS data link transceivers as an integral part of their flight support services and flight deck communications packages for Business Aviation.

University Meteorological Dept to Conduct Aircraft Flight Safety Data Research

November 1, 2013
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Aviation Weather for Essential Flight Support ServicesIn a project sponsored by the National Science Foundation Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Meteorology Dept is planning to conduct a two-week flight safety research program with the University of Wyoming King Air.

The King Air is a research aircraft that provides atmospheric measurements and flight safety data.  Students from different courses will have direct involvement with instrument system training, flights; flight forecast simulations and will produce the follow-up analysis.

Flight co ordination research will be discussed in open seminars attended by the King Air pilot and scientist and will cover many topics from FAA regulations to forecasting requirements for flight safety data.

The students will maintain awareness of electronic sensor systems and the importance of mission-critical messaging for transmission of flight safety weather data.

Entire infrastructure can be based upon ensuring crucial data is delivered efficiently and swiftly to facilitate safe conduct of flights on a global scale.

Flight safety weather data monitoring forms a huge part of flight support services in commercial, military and business aviation.

Honeywell Sign Agreement with ARINC Direct to Provide Business Aviation with Inmarsat GX for Fast Aircraft Communications

October 21, 2013
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aircraft communicationsDesignated airtime resellers, Honeywell have signed an agreement with ARINC Direct to provide the new Inmarsat GX Aviation connectivity to the Business Aviation Industry.

The agreement will provide ARINC Direct with the ability to incorporate the new GX Aviation into their Business Aviation Services and sell subscriptions packages to business jet operators and private owners.

The new Inmarsat GX Aviation is a Ka-band solution that will be available at the beginning of 2015 and will bring faster-than-ever broadband speeds for inflight messaging and entertainment that will rival those of ground-based operations.

Aircraft internet services for passenger communications will be faster and more cost-effective than existing services and will enhance flight deck communications with web-based services that can be accessed and operated in real time.

Inmarsat, a British Satellite Network has commissioned Boeing to build four satellites for the provision of the service and the first of which is expected to be ready to launch as early as December 2013.

ARINC Direct is delighted to be at the forefront of the new connectivity, following in the pioneering footsteps of ‘big brother’ ARINC Inc.

Honeywell Brings Avionics Upgrade to SJ30 for SyberJet

October 20, 2013
Business Aviation News
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High Frequency Data Link (HFDL) for AviationSyberJet Aircraft acquired the rights to the SJ30 light twinjet aircraft in 2011 and moved production to Utah.  Honeywell agreed to provide the upgraded avionics and production is set to get moving again.

Honeywell’s new avionics system will include SmartView flight display and moving map plus dual FMS with many additional features including graphical flight planning, weather radar charts and maps and electronic checklists.

The system will support FANS/1A, controller pilot (CPDLC) and High Frequency Data Link (HFDL) operations as customer-specifications, in addition to SATCOM, flight data and cockpit voice recorder.

An SJ30 test aircraft will be outfitted with the new avionics and SyberJet expect it to make its first flight in early 2014 with a view to certification being attained by the end of next year.  The jet will feature a new interior, currently being worked upon, to include extra seating, while reducing weight even further.

The Jet, which may be marketed for $7.25 million, will be equipped with passenger cabin services for in-flight entertainment and an information system that will allow access from personal devices, such as Smartphones or iPads.

SyberJet General Manager Mark Fairchild said “Our new management is very conservative,” he said. “We want to under-promise and over-deliver,” when asked about delivery schedules.

The SJ30 was originally the GulfJet and was designed by Ed Swearingen in the late 1980’s.  Since its certification in 2005, the SJ30 has been owned by several companies before being acquired in 2011 by SyberJet.

Controller Pilot Data Link (CPDLC) Showcased at Open Day

October 20, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Controller Pilot Data Link (CPDLC) Airtraffic Controllers Association of Ghana (ACAG) held an open day in Accra last week to showcase Controller Pilot Data Link (CPDLC) capabilities amongst its other activities to the public.

The open day was held in the Control Tower Building at Kokota International Airport (KIA) which opened its doors to the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School, Journalists and St Thomas Aquinas Senior High School as well as members of the public.

It is hoped that the open day will generate interest in air traffic control as a specialist career and encourage students to follow a path in aviation.

Air traffic control is a varied and interesting career, requiring specialist knowledge and ability in order to apply separation rules to maintain safe flying distances between aircraft in their assigned airspace as well as on the ground.

Mr William Amoako, an Airtraffic controller with GCAA, conducted the tour of the facility and stressed the importance of the role that the sector plays in the safety and efficiency of flying time.

Controller Pilot Data Link (CPDLC) is gradually replacing radio communications and is the future of air traffic management.  CPDLC helps to reduce pilot workload in the cockpit by automating many routine tasks and reduces radio congestion.

New Version of Flight Planning iPad App Released by ARINC Direct

October 14, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Flight Planning iPad App

Leading flight support and communications provider for business aviation, ARINC Direct have announced the release of their latest flight planning iPad app, version 3.0.

The new version includes all the benefits of the older version plus a range of document management functions to simplify flight planning and an ARINC Direct website component that gives pilots and crew access to their files on iPad and on the web.  This will allow them to assign documents to a specific flight leg, aircraft or user, streamlining the filing and management process with simple drag and drop utility.

“ARINC is working to minimize paper and improve access to information on the flight deck for pilots,” said Bob Richard, ARINC Direct Vice President, “and version 3.0 is a major step forward in getting our customers there.”

Available in the Apple app store now, the ARINC Direct Flight Planning iPad App is, according to Mr Richard, “Another example of how we respond to our customer requirements for a cost-effective, simple and seamless user experience.”

Quebec Airport Management System Implemented for Type B Messaging and Data Transformation

October 1, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Jean-Lesange International Airport in Quebec will become the first to implement SITA’s Aviation Operational Statistics (AOS) Data Transformation Service, which will help to integrate data from multiple airlines into the airport management system, used for comprehensive operations and critical Type B messaging.

This will allow the airport to process all operational messaging figures including passenger count and load figures and will provide airport management high quality data to enhance real-time decision making.

In turn, airport resources can be managed more effectively, allocating ground-handlers to busy slots in advance, using type b messaging data to streamline operations and minimise ground delays during inclement weather or unforeseen delays to arrival and departure times.

Type B messaging is an essential part of airport operations and is used industry-wide for the delivery of thousands of messages on a daily basis.  Many airports use a consultancy service to find the best solutions for cost-effectivity and enhanced productivity in this way.  ARINC Type B consultancy service offers comprehensive analysis of type b messaging systems to enable airports and operations maximum streamlining with the best solutions available.

NextGen Implementation of Data Link Moves Forward at Aviation Week

September 29, 2013
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data linkThe Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) will move the aviation industry forward with the implementation of advanced data link communications by 2020.

At Aviation Week, hosted in Washington, leaders from airlines, industry providers and government agencies held discussions and shared critical facts and data in order to reinforce the implementation of the future of air travel with the proposed data link mandates.

At the show, the NextGen Showcase was aimed to help airlines find the right providers, simplifying the selection process and highlighting where the smartest investments in technology would lie.

The showcase was all about imparting the industry with the changing rules within NextGen, making sure that advances in technology in the cockpit can be embraced and used to their full potential as NextGen approaches.

NextGen will help to improve safety with data link communications, in addition to creating more fuel efficient routes, less congestion and increased operability solutions for airlines.

Industry leading data link providers bring many solutions to the table, with retrofit avionics, data link packages and cost effective innovations, such as ARINC’s HFDL solution.

Data link technology is widely used in today’s busy skies, helping to create a safe and secure airspace across the globe.  NextGen will reinforce the use of data link communications with the issue of mandatory rules and specific routes for carriers of data link.

By 2020 data link communications mandates will be imposed under regulatory conditions.  Air carriers are advised to look at the possibilities now, for retrofitting.  All new aircraft off the production line are being fitted with data link technology in preparation.

Revised Format of NOTAMs by the FAA

September 20, 2013
Business Aviation News
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notams

In a bid to harmonize the US system of NOTAMs with the ICAO standards, a new and revised format of the delivery of NOTAMs is expected on 1st October.

Improvements will include the definition of numbers to removed the ‘guesswork’ when it comes to units of measurement in the case of FT, LB & NM.  Altitudes will be defined with upper and lower limits and changes to the usability of runways and declared distances will be clear.

The changes come as a part of the 2012 Pilot’s Bill of Rights, which has highlighted and authorized the improvements to the NOTAMs system in the US.  Pilots will be able to access necessary information about their route of flight, prioritizing will filters in alignment with their flight profile.

Field Condition (FICON) NOTAMs will be listed amongst the biggest changes.  Pilots and flight crews will be able to file a Pilot Reported FICON with a list of runway contaminants reportable in the situation of an unmonitored field.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) have an active role in the evaluation of the current NOTAMs system and the recommendation of improvements as a member of the RTCA Tactical Operations Committee.  Another goal is to introduce an improved, user-friendly format for the system delivery of NOTAMs, enabling access with tablets and smart phone technology.

ARINC Begin Work on Data Communications Network Services Portion of NextGen

September 17, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Data Communications Network Services The data communications network services (DCNS) forms an essential portion of the FAA’s NextGen initiative, which will help to reduce congestion of the airways over the busiest global cities, improve flight safety and increase the efficiency of real-time communications with the replacement of voice with digital data transmissions.

The data communications network services contract is a portion of the 7 year, $150 million that was awarded to the Harris Corporation last month.  The entire contract for data communications integrated services, of which DCNS is a part, was awarded last September to Harris.

ARINC is providing data communications network services under DCNS that will assist the FAA with the integration of its end-to-end data communications system.  ARINC’s services will include the enabling of Communications Service Provider (CSP) network access and the provision of professional services for test, engineering integration and implementation of DCNS into the Data Communications System.

ARINC and the FAA go back a long way, with a working relationship that has been in place for over 50 years.  The industry-leading communications providers pioneered the now standard ACARS messaging system and have been involved in data link technology since as early as 1978.

John Belcher, Chairman  & CEO of ARINC Inc said, “Our DCNS work will tackle some of the most crucial issues in the aviation industry—saving fuel, reducing flight times and increasing air traffic capacity. We are proud to be building on our industry-leading legacy by providing solutions that have met the aviation needs of the past and will help solve the challenges of the future.”