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First FANS CPDLC Retrofit Certification

September 17, 2013
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It has recently been announced that Chicago Jet Group (CJG) and Universal Avionics has received the first FANS CPDLC Certification after retrofitting a Dassault Mystere Falcon 50 with the CPDLC system over Iridium.

CJG completed the installation of UniLink UL-801 CMU with VHF VDLM2 receiver, which will provide the flight crew with a global voice and datalink channel for ACARS, CPDLC and FANS1/A+ messaging.

“The certification of this integrated retrofit system in the Falcon 50 entitles international operators to utilize the significant time and cost advantages offered by flying FANS preferred airspace. This solution provides a certified FANS system prior to the first mandate of February 5, 2015,” said Mike Mitera, President of the Chicago Jet Group.

cpdlcThe retrofit CPDLC system is now ready for the approaching mandates for NextGen, Eurocontrol Link 2000+ which will require the CPDLC for European airspace.  With aircraft flying frequently in the North Atlantic Track System (NATS), the retrofit will allow access to the most preferred tracks, saving time and fuel on transatlantic flights.

“Universal Avionics proudly recognizes Chicago Jet Group’s efforts, working diligently to achieve the first FANS/CPDLC retrofit STC,” said Bruce Bunevich, Universal Avionics’ Great Lakes Regional Sales Manager. “We will continue to work together to provide NextGen avionics solutions for additional airframes,” he added.

Flight Time Rules Questioned by UK Transport Committee

September 16, 2013
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The EU proposal for flight and duty time regulations has been questioned by the UK Parliamentary Transport Committee this week.

The proposed EASA changes, due to take effect as early as November this year, are an improvement upon the current version, the committee said, but they seem, for the most part to contradict current scientific research.

Concerns were also raised about the controversial low reporting of pilot fatigue.  This will relate directly to the proposal for 11-hour  period of ‘on duty’ for night flights and led the committee to demand that ‘the government seek to ensure scientists have a more central role in further work by EASA as it finalizes its flight-time limitations proposals.’

The Transport Committee have reiterated their concerns that no ‘consensus was reached with pilots and cabin crew.’  The proposals by EASA would give operators the lead to issue duty rotations that will mean up to a third of flights will exceed the current maximum duty period. The UK CAA believes that a more practical limit would be 10-20%.  EASA argue that scheduled flights that would exceed will only be seasonal.

It has been suggested by the UK that the EU come back to the regulations after a two year ‘trial’ period, to assess the effectiveness of the new rules.

ARINC C-130B Project in Indonesia for Mission-Critical Communications Upgrades & Retrofit.

September 10, 2013
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Mission critical CommunicationsARINC Inc is progressing ‘aggressively’ with the completion of its contract with the Indonesian Government to modernize five of its C-130B aircraft for the Indonesian Airforce, it was announced today.

The project, which began in early 2011 is on schedule and on budget and will help to modernize the transport fleet and upgrade mission critical communications for humanitarian purposes.  There is structural work being carried out in addition to the retrofit of upgraded technology to enhance capabilities.

The work is being carried out by ARINC onsite, which enables the Indonesian Airforce to receive all the benefits of ARINC’s significant skills and knowledge, without having to bear the cost of the transportation of the aircraft to the Aerospace division of ARINC in Oklahoma.

All the parts required have been exported to the modifications facility in Indonesia and work is well underway.  The key milestones have been reached!

ARINC offer innovative solutions to mission critical communications with superior satellite services over the Inmarsat network.  They have been delivering mission critical communications for over 80 years and are well-placed in the industry, having an unparalleled reputation for excellence.

“ARINC Aerospace is uniquely qualified to perform this type of work,” noted Michael Young, Vice President of ARINC Aerospace. “We have far-reaching experience on multiple platforms and a broad range of capabilities. We are pleased that the project is going so well and that we are growing closer to the goal of enhancing the capabilities of the Indonesian Air Force.”

Air Canada Rouge Select ARINC’s GLOBALink for Communications

August 21, 2013
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It has been announced that Air Canada Rouge, North America’s newest leisure group has selected ARINC’s GLOBALink for their worldwide ground-air and flight deck communications requirements.

Air Canada Rouge will use GLOBALink, VHF, HF and Iridium data link as their primary means of data communications in addition to GLOBALink voice services providing continuous voice communications throughout the flight enroute.

Air Canda Rouge’s Vice President of Operations, Al Read, said, “Air Canada Rouge’s success depends upon the team work of our employees and the support of trusted partners like ARINC.”

ARINC’s reliability and support capabilities continues to keep them at the top of the pile in the aviation industry.  Their cost effective and innovative flight deck communications solutions and flight support, in addition to passenger communications packages make them a comprehensive, industry-leading provider.

“GLOBALink’s voice and data infrastructure is the most reliable in the world,” said Ron Hawkins, Staff Vice President, Commercial Aviation Solutions, at ARINC. “We have been helping Air Canada with its air/ground communications for more than 20 years and we were excited to be selected by Air Canada rouge to help them for many years to come.”

South African Airways Signs 5 Year Deal with ARINC for GLOBALink & HFDL

August 20, 2013
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hfdl ARINC have been right up there in the aviation news these past few weeks and continue to push forward in the industry.  It has been announced today that South African Airlines has renewed its relationship with ARINC in signing a new 5 year contract for GLOBALink ACARS Services and will use ARINC’s High-Frequency Data Link (HFDL) for seamless global coverage.

The new data link agreement is just part of a long-standing business relationship between South African Airlines and ARINC.  The new contract will make ARINC the exclusive providers of all their communications needs.

ARINC’s HFDL Service, combined with HF voice then aircraft have high levels of reliability for air-ground communications during long-range flights.

ARINC’s GLOBALink ACARS data link provides airlines with reliability, using their industry-leading superior services and technical support systems.

South African Airlines will use ARINC for all VHF, HF and satellite ACARS traffic.  ARINC’s HFDL service will provide cost-effective, truly global coverage across vast oceanic expanses and Polar Regions, interfacing seamlessly with the VHF and SATCOM communications networks.

The data link services from ARINC gives airlines greater reliability, comprehensive operational messaging that eradicates the errors associated with radio voice communications.

“We are very excited to continue working with South African Airways,” said Alexis Hickox, Senior Director, Aviation Solutions, at ARINC EMEA. “We believe this renewal demonstrates the value ARINC provides our customers and positions us well for future growth in Africa.”

LOT Polish Airlines Renew GLOBALink ACARS with ARINC

August 13, 2013
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LOT Polish Airlines, long-term customer of ARINC Inc, has chosen GLOBALink ACARS data link program for the provision of essential communications for its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.  LOT Polish Airlines is the first European operator of the Dreamliner, which heralds a new design of lighter passenger jets.

“We are delighted to support our valued customer LOT Polish Airlines as they bring new benefits to their passengers through the introduction of the 787 fleet,” said Alexis Hickox, Senior Director, Aviation Solutions, at ARINC EMEA. “We believe the cost saving benefits they have received from using GLOBALink ACARS in the past will prove equally compelling in the future.”

ARINC currently provide GLOBALink ACARS data link services for reliable messaging and the new contract will seamlessly integrate the 787 data link programme into ARINC’s data link management system and with LOT’s existing fleet.

“ARINC has been providing LOT with industry leading technology for over a decade,” notes Tomasz Balcerzak, Board Member for Operations and Maintenance at LOT Polish Airlines. “We are pleased with the entire portfolio of ARINC services and look forward to many future years of working together.”

 

Rockwell Collins to Expand Data Link Communications with ARINC Deal

August 12, 2013
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data link communicationsThe much-talked-about and Rockwell Collins’ largest deal yet, the purchase of ARINC Inc for nearly $1.4 billion, will give them its fundamental data link communications connection to the FAA’s NextGen System.

ARINC is an industry-leading name in the field of aviation communications and this will increase Rockwell Collins’ immediate revenue potential by over 10%, with the commercial from 50% to 54% and next year’s military to 46%, which, it is said, is key for the company with declining military sales figures.

ARINC is most famously known as the pioneers of the ACARS messaging service and leads the way with their provision of air-ground digital VHF communications for airlines and business jets, flight support services, airport communications and the vMUSE platforms for passenger processing and the hugely successful self-check in operations.

Rockwell Collins hold more important ideas for the future with the increase in data link communications connectivity between cabins and flight decks with the ground, as the FAA’s NextGen plan will include the expansion of further data link communications; real-time weather information and re-routing plans and all-but replacing voice transmission.

“There is no doubt the digital information exchange will continue to expand at a rapid rate,” says Rockwell Collins CEO Kelly Ortberg, adding that the acquisition “substantially expands Rockwell Collins’ position in the growing aviation information-management space.”

The sale is expected to be finalized later this year, approximately 90 days after the acquisition announcement on August 11th.

Ruag Aviation Complete First EASy II Upgrade for CPDLC Mandates

August 4, 2013
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In light of the upcoming deadlines for CPDLC mandatory regulations, it is necessary for upgrades to be carried out to ensure compliance.

Ruag Aviation technicians have completed their first upgrade in a Falcon 900EX using Honeywell’s EASy II avionics suite.  The EASy flight deck, based upon the Primus Epic avionics system from Honeywell, includes SmartView synthetic vision system (SVS) with HUD symbology displayed on PDFs.

CPDLC, or Controller-Pilot-Data-Link Communications supplements voice communications between ATC and pilots, increasing air traffic management and safety aspects as routine tasks can be automated.  This will reduce the workload in the cockpit and further add to safety concerns with fewer errors or misinterpretation of radio messaging.

The use of CPDLC is mandatory already in specified airspace and is the future of aviation communication in the congested airways above Europe.

Denim Selects ARINC AviNet Mail for Critical Aviation Messaging

August 1, 2013
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aviation messaging solutionsARINC has announced that Denim, Dutch providers of aircraft and crew capacity solutions for worldwide airlines and organizations, have selected ARINC’s AviNet Mail for their critical Type B messaging requirements.

AviNet is an essential solution for secure, mission-critical communications for the aviation industry.  It is a part of ARINC’s eHub suite and provides seamless global solutions with their industry-leading reliability.

Denim will also use ARINC’s GLOBALink ACARS messaging, to provide instant air-ground and ground-air data communications for Denim’s Embraer 190 planes.  The move is aimed at improving efficiency and operational productivity.

“ARINC offered us a user friendly, flexible and more technically advanced solution,” said Maarten Temminck, Project Manager at Denim. “We provide a number of vital services to our customers worldwide, and we believe we can now do so better with ARINC.”

Alexis Hickox, Senior Director, Aviation Solutions, at ARINC EMEA explained there were several reasons for the change. “ARINC provided a superior solution for Denim. Specifically, they cited ARINC’s Type B messaging service, enabling ground-to air communications and lower costs as reasons for their decision.”

ARINC aviation solutions are renowned innovations in the industry.  They are world-leaders in aviation communications and have been for more than 80 years since the birth of commercial air travel.  ARINC continue to look ahead and tirelessly produce new and improved solutions to meet the growing demands of aviation travel.

Alexis Hickox, Senior Director, Aviation Solutions, at ARINC EMEA explained there were several reasons for the change. “ARINC provided a superior solution for Denim. Specifically, they cited ARINC’s Type B messaging service, enabling ground-to air communications and lower costs as reasons for their decision.”

Co-Operative Plans for EASA & EUROCONTROL

July 2, 2013
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The European Aviation Safety Agency and EuroControl have established a co-operative plan for the improvement of aviation, focussing upon the implementation of the Single European Sky, with environmental protection, training and the development of the EU External Aviation Policy as priorities.

The co-operative plans will establish a common foundation, general framework and a programme on a formal basis, expected later this year.  There will be an evaluation of national civil aviation authorities’ mandates and the requirements of military airspace users in addition to overseeing the SESAR deployment.

EASA executive director Patrick Goudou said “the new framework is instrumental in the development of a more competitive air transport industry in Europe. EUROCONTROL believes this agreement will provide the optimal framework to combine the expertise and resources of the two European organisations, following the extension of EASA competences to ATM/ANS and aerodromes”

It is believed that EUROCONTROL will support EASA’s regulatory work with its air traffic and route management.

The new Single European Sky is a direct initiative borne from the heavy congestion over Europe.  Part of the directive spells the need for CPDLC capability in the cockpits to free up the airwaves.

EASA EuroControl Single Sky CPDLC