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Making the Transition to CPDLC – Deadline Moved

January 6, 2015
Business Aviation News
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Providers of CPDLC for Enhanced Operational MessagingThe transition to Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC), according to the original timeline, should by now be well under way, with retrofit requirements under the Single European Sky initiative due by next month.

The European Commission has indicated that the deadline will now be moved to make sure that the industry is ready and that CPDLC avionics are reliable. Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) are implementing the infrastructure in advance of the mandates and the SES initiative is still a global reality.

Although the process is slow, and the costs for retrofitting high, the transition to CPDLC will save airlines and operators in the long-term and increase safety for the skies on a worldwide scale. It is unlikely that CPDLC will replace voice communications altogether, but datalink messaging needs to be implemented in order to cope with the upsurge in air traffic that is expected over the next two decades.

It is not just Europe that is attempting to embrace the CPDLC technology. Data link communications are being trialled in the U.S. under the NextGen program and in Canada, nationwide implementation of CPDLC was completed last summer.

Although phase two of the SES initiative was planned for next month, it seems likely that the plans, so far fraught with technical difficulties, training delays and the cost of retrofitting, may be moved as far as five years into the future.

ATTF Report to IATA for Flight Tracking Initiative

December 17, 2014
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A report has been submitted to IATA by the Aircraft Tracking Task Force (ATTF) this week, which will deliver its findings for consideration in the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) development.

Airline Operational Messaging Solutions ProvidersAlthough the contents of the report are not yet public, Tony Tyler, CEO of IATA said that the report ‘recommends that airlines evaluate their current tracking capabilities against the performance criteria and close any gaps within a 12 month time frame.”

According to Mr Tyler, airlines will need to complete phases in order to achieve complete, worldwide aircraft tracking capability:

Short-term – make use of the current capabilities within their fleets and operational areas

Near-term – look at the business case for upgrading equipment to meet performance criteria

Parallel – explore the possibility of making tamper-proof systems with other industry stakeholders and manufacturers

The recommendations included in the report encompass many improvements, particularly within the communications systems, such as Controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) and ACARS to the space-based ADS-B, which, in the long-term is seen as the solution to seamless global aircraft tracking.

With mandatory equipage of these technologies fast approaching within European and Canadian airspace, new aircraft are already seeing these technologies coming as standard onboard installations.

For global tracking to become a certainty, technological capabilities must be installed and a ground-based ADS-B infrastructure is already in place.

“The public should be aware that there is no silver bullet solution on tracking,” said Tyler. “The industry is working to improve, but some issues such as tamper proofing, will take time to address and implement.”

Aircraft Tracking via Satellite with ESA Iris Program

December 12, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Providers of Aircraft Tracking Services for Business AviationThe European Space Agency (ESA) have outlined the Iris program this week in a collaboration with the Single European Sky ATM Research Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) program, with a view to increasing the efficiency of global aircraft tracking through a satellite-based communications system.

Making improvements to future Air Traffic Management techniques is a key part of the initiative and Iris will potentially leverage a satellite-based system with current VHF ground-based communications systems that may bear the weight of overcrowded airwaves in the near future. It is planned that data link channels and ATM operations will become accessible and give new opportunities for aircraft tracking in a four-dimensional capacity – latitude, longitude, altitude and time. The system is known as 4-D trajectory management and it is hoped that it will be fully accessible by 2018.

In spite of various delays with upgrades to aircraft, the Iris program is designed to dramatically improve communications and bring the increased efficiency to operational productivity that has been sought by airlines, ATM and operators for more than 20 years.

Aircraft tracking via satellite communications will work in real time and use aircraft positioning reports, in addition to the complement of voice communications. Both continental and oceanic airspaces will be reliably covered to give truly global, uninterrupted coverage.

Business aviation enjoys the reliability of real-time aircraft tracking with providers delivering a satellite communications service over a robust system architecture, such as the Rockwell Collins’ ARINCDirect service, which provides seamless coverage via Inmarsat SwiftBroadband and Swift64 in conjunction with Iridium satellite communications. Real-time flight tracking is a sought-after service that is growing in demand, particularly since the disappearance of flight MH370 earlier this year.

As air traffic grows, demand upon the airways increases and the latest technological developments are needed to ensure utmost safety and reliability for all aircraft, both commercial and private.

Inmarsat and Alcatel Partner to Deliver European SATCOM Service

December 9, 2014
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Inmarsat Partner with Alcatel for SATCOM ServicesThe development of a high-speed ‘hybrid’ air-to-ground SATCOM service is being discussed in a new partnership agreement between Alcatel-Lucent and British satellite communications company, Inmarsat this week. The ATG SATCOM service will provide a new telecom network for commercial and business aviation operators throughout Europe and promises to deliver speeds of up to 75 Mbps.

Combining Alcatel’s 4G LTE S-band technology with Inmarsat’s Europasat will offer a new broadband service ‘Europe-wide’. The partnership are collaborating on the ground network and have submitted applications for licenses in all EU member states, 23 of which have already been authorised according to Inmarsat. As yet, no customers or hardware partners have been formally named, but the companies revealed that they are in ongoing discussions.

Leo Mondale, Inmarsat president, said, “These enhanced capabilities across Europe will be offered alongside Inmarsat’s GX aviation services, extending Inmarsat’s broadband service coverage for aviation passengers seamlessly.”

Commercial introduction is expected towards the end of 2016, although field trials have already been conducted of the Alcatel-Lucent system back in 2011.

Emteq and Haeco Partnership for Cabin Services

December 7, 2014
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Worldwide Cabin Services ProvidersIt was announced at MEBA this month that Emteq, U.S. aviation products providers and China-based Haeco Private Jet Solutions have partnered to allow Haeco to deliver Emteq’s eConnect portfolio of IFE, Cabin Services and connectivity package, who will integrate the systems for cabin completion and refurbishment clients.

Haeco claim that the first Boeing business jet based in Asia has contracted them to engineer and integrate an eConnect Router and wireless IFE system. The install project will integrate with the existing cabin services package as an add-on, effectively upgrading the system and providing a cost-effective solution.

As passenger demands grow for greater bandwidth and seamless on-board connectivity, more and more providers of Cabin Services find themselves continually pushing the envelope with the latest technology at the most competitive prices.

Personal devices play an important role within the Cabin Services industry today as satellite communications technology delivers the reliability that is required on board the modern business jet.

Rockwell Collins New Mobile Training Solution Gives Weather Data Access

December 2, 2014
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Flight Deck Aviation Weather Data Solutions Today, Rockwell Collins unveiled their latest program that will give pilots, flight line maintenance and service repair technicians access to training solutions on mobile devices.

Amongst the training applications, and one that will be demonstrated this week in Orlando at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference, is the Rockwell Collins MultiScan ThreatTrackTM weather radar on a mobile tablet.

Also at the conference, Rockwell Collins will be introducing new capabilities that will allow subscription customers to view and download task-specific training and publications online.

LeAnn Ridgeway, vice-president and general manager of the Simulation and Training solutions for Rockwell Collins acknowledged that people use mobile devices for almost everything they do and said, “This new offering demonstrates our commitment to providing our customers with the right content in the right format, when and where they need it. Our new mobile training and publication offerings allow our customers to access, manage, and interact with information as they need it.”

ADS-B Deadline Looms & Concerns Raised as Operators Slow on the Uptake

November 19, 2014
Business Aviation News
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ADS-B Global NextGen Communications

As the deadline for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), a keystone in the NextGen initiative, approaches, concerns are being raised that the larger percentage of operational aircraft are not climbing on board. It is thought that just 10% of general aviation aircraft and a meagre 3% of major carrier aircraft will be ADS-B compliant by the end of this year.

ADS-B, within the NextGen satellite-based air traffic control system has two elements – Out, which refers to the communications sent from an aircraft to the system which relates to its position, and In, referring to area traffic information transmitted by the system itself to equipped aircraft that can receive and read the data.

The multi-billion dollar system is well into construction, with 624 radio stations deployed by April this year. There are ‘significant risks and challenges’, however, according to a system audit by the Department of Transportation which include a lack of testing, certifying avionics, monitoring and cost management, all fading into the background when it comes to actual uptake of the initiative by operators.

Many operators are concerned at the moment that the only benefit for the industry in terms of the installation of ADS-B is regulatory compliance.

The biggest concern is that non-ADS-B equipped aircraft will be prohibited from entering controlled NextGen airspace after January 2020 and a statement from the FAA reiterated their position, which clarifies their position as a firm one, “You cannot get ADS-B traffic unless your aircraft is properly equipped to participate in the ADS-B system.”

CPDLC Management Contract Signed by PCAA

November 16, 2014
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Other CPDLC and HFDL Communications ProvidersThe Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has signed a contract with M/s Wateen Telecom for the lease of managed services of Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) via SITA’s network of voice and data solutions.

In a statement issued by the PCAA this week, the move is to ‘help radar controllers to establish a data and voice communication link from Karachi and Lahore on a 24/7 through 365 days basis.’

Using CPDLC and HF datalink communications, aircraft flying from any part of the world can communicate with the PCAA radar controller with an enhanced link that will improve the conventional VHF and HF wireless communications connectivity, particularly on long-haul flights.

The move comes as the PCAA strive to strengthen the Pakistan Airspace with CPDLC integration into the air traffic management system.

The use of CPDLC is gaining momentum as providers aim for the enhanced capabilities, reducing pilot and flight crew workload in commercial and business aircraft across the world. CPDLC can give flights access to faster routes, which can also help to manage costs in terms of fuel and airspeed, maximising operational productivity.

New Features Introduced to Rockwell Collins’ ARINCDirect Flight Operations System

November 11, 2014
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Find out more about Rockwell Collins' ARINCDirect Features for Business AviationIn a move to further enhance efficiency for pilots, dispatchers and flight schedulers, Rockwell Collins has introduced new features to its ARINCDirect Flight Operations System (FOS).

Now available for download, the updates offer current customers access to new and improved features including flight tracking, U.S. and Canadian slot requests, online flight plan filing, graphical and text weather and overlay trips on the ARINCDirect mapping tool.

Rockwell Collins recently announced consolidation of Ascend flight information solutions and ARINC Direct services into one enhanced solution and the integration is a part of that move. With new cabin solutions and flight operations management, subscribers to the flight planning and data link can look forward to the new features.

CPDLC FANS 1/A Package for Bombardier Challenger from Rockwell Collins

November 1, 2014
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Rockwell Collins' FANS 1/A & CPDLC CapabilitiesIt has been announced that Rockwell Collins is to offer FANS 1/A with CPDLC capability to the Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft currently equipped with their Pro Line 4 avionics systems. The upgrade will be made available in mid to late 2015 and will build upon the aircraft’s current Flight Management System (FMS) and Control Display Units (CDUs).

The incorporation of a new communications unit will give operators of the Challenger 604 access to the transatlantic route that offer greater wind-efficiency, which results in significant savings of both time and fuel for the carriers.

The FANS 1/A package is made up of Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) capabilities and Automatic Dependant Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) which offer both enhanced clarity for pilot communications and a reduction in flight crew workload.