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Despite Difficult Times, Business Aviation in Brazil Remains Optimistic

August 12, 2014
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Brazil Business Aviation ConferenceThe LABACE show opened today in Brazil with a feeling of optimism despite signs of a difficult year. However cautious, Eduardo Marson, president of industry group ABAG announced that ‘the market grew by 5-6%, as it has for the last decade’.

Operators were placed under pressure during the World Cup earlier this year and restrictions were tight, particularly regarding parking throughout the tournament.

Many issues facing the industry will be topics of discussion at the LABACE show, held at Sao Paulo’s Congonhas Airport. It appears that a continued lack of airports investments will be a key issue, according to a statement given to press by director general of ABAG, Ricardo Nogueira. Manufacturers, operators, customers and support providers will come together at the show to air recent difficulties and discuss possible improvements in addition to the state of the industry.

“We’ve seen little effort to handle more aircraft, only to handle more passengers,” Mr Nogueira said. “There’s been a focus on terminals, and not on airports. There has been nothing relevant to improve capacity for air traffic, only localized, uncoordinated and temporary actions.”

The show exhibitor numbers are up 2% and as a result, the exhibition area has been increased by 10%, with a greater number of larger aircraft on show. Visitor numbers are estimated to contain 32% upper management attendance and at least to match last years’ figures.

Signature Flight Support Adds Scottsdale AirCenter to Its Global Portfolio

August 6, 2014
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Arizona Airport FBO, Scottsdale AirCenter’s aFlight Support & Business Aviation Services Providersssets have been acquired by Signature Flight Support, it was announced today. The 16th largest business aviation airport in the U.S. and a dedicated general aviation airport serving the Greater Phoenix Metro Area, Scottsdale AirCenter is one of only two FBOs on the field. Signature Flight Support is the world’s largest fixed-base operation and distribution network for business aviation services and is a division of BBA Aviation PLC.

Services include fuelling, hangar and office rentals, ground handling, maintenance and an extensive range of passenger and crew facilities.

Business aviation services and flight support services providers across the world ensure the smooth running of operations within airports. Many providers also offer flight planning and communications solutions for the flight deck and for airport operational productivity, largely running ‘behind the scenes’ of operators.

Scottsdale AirCenter is housed in a modern facility with 145,000 square feet of hangar space for large cabin business aircraft and 12,000 square feet of terminal space. Additionally, the centre has concierge services, passenger lounge, pilot and crew lounge and gift shop with an extra 32,000 square feet of shop and office space.

Maria Sastre, President and Chief Operating Officer for Signature Flight Support commented on the acquisition, “Scottsdale AirCenter represents an important addition to our world-class FBO locations in our global network. Their reputation for exceptional customer service was one of many attributes Signature considered in making this acquisition. Scottsdale AirCenter is a fantastic facility in a key market for Signature. We welcome the staff and customers of Scottsdale AirCenter to the Signature family.”

 

 

TSA Award Passenger Screening Contract for U.S. Airports

August 5, 2014
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Electronic Borders Technology for Effective Passenger Screening

A Credential Authentication system is to be installed at major U.S. airports for screening passenger information in place of visual inspection. The seven-year, $85 million contract has been awarded by the Transport Security Administration (TSA) and will read multiple security features contained within passenger identification documents to ensure that it is genuine.

MorphoTrust is a provider of identity solutions and will undertake the contract for the TSA. “MorphoTrust E-CAT is the culmination of many years of work to address airport security requirements following the 9/11 tragedy, while simplifying travel for American citizens,” MorphoTrust CEO Bob Eckel said. “It is also just the beginning of our vision for what’s possible in air travel, creating a future in which passengers can move easily and securely from the curb to the gate without boarding passes or security lines.”

The electronic security industry is helping to secure borders across the world with the latest technology. EBorders solutions are helping to take security to another level with solutions for passenger processing and screening, the secure and reliable transfer of Advance Passenger Information, biometric security and bioterrorism detection systems.

Airport Operations Management Business Acquired by Exelis

August 4, 2014
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Airport Operations Integrated with Management SolutionsExelis, aerospace and defence information company headquartered outside Washington, VA, have announced their acquisition of Orthogon; German airport operations management business, providing applications for air traffic flow management and decision-making to airport operators and ANSPs across the world.

The Orthogon business designs and develops traffic optimisation applications and predict traffic demand on runways, giving airport operators flexibility to optimise their resources both on the ground and in the air.

“The acquisition of Orthogon expands our aviation solutions portfolio and international market position,” said Pam Drew, Exelis president of the Exelis Information Systems division. “With our global airport presence and Orthogon’s queue management applications we see opportunities to deliver solutions to our customers that will lower costs and increase capacity and efficiency of their operations.”

Airport management systems integration is a necessary part of the process of information management. Additional applications available from other providers of airport management systems can include ‘back-office’ applications that assist with the smooth and efficient operation of baggage handling systems and passenger processing. As airports grow busier, with estimated passenger flow on the increase to the tune of more than 5% each year, operational productivity can suffer without key integrated systems in place.

Self-Service Bag Drop Solution at Halifax Stanfield Airport

August 3, 2014
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Self Service Bag Drop Solutions ProvidersSelf Service bag drop solutions offer improvements to passenger processing and minimise ground delays. Halifax Stanfield International Airport is the first in North America to offer self-service baggage drop for all their passengers, working closely with their airline partners.

“This new, fully automated, self-serve baggage drop system uses the latest technology to simplify the check-in process for airline passengers,” says Joyce Carter, Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA), President & CEO. “With airline customer service agents available to assist passengers if necessary, this improved level of service speeds up the check-in process and makes it possible for passengers to avoid line ups at counters.”

The airport followed the lead of airports across the world, when looking for ways to streamline these vital processes and ensure that ground delays were kept to a minimum during peak flow seasons.

“We welcome any airport improvements that enrich the travel experience for our guests,” says Jon Quinton, Station Manager for WestJet in Halifax. “This new system helps travellers move through the check-in process more quickly, and frees up our team members to get out from behind the counters and assist those guests who need a little extra attention.”

The new baggage handling system formed a part of a larger project to modernise the terminal space within the International airport. The domestic and international check-in halls in addition to U.S. preclearance have been renovated to create additional space, with future growth in mind. A stylish new exterior has changed the face of the airport and are a part of a 10-year plan to meet the needs of current and future passengers.

There is little doubt, if we look at the affect that self-service bag drop has upon the world’s busiest airports, that the new system will streamline passenger processing and increase operational productivity for Halifax Stanfield.

iPad App for Paperless Cockpit Improved for iOS 7

August 1, 2014
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Other Business Aviation iPad App ProvidersBusiness aviation is taking even bigger steps towards a paperless cockpit environment with the introduction of iPad technology, with applications such as flight planning and information sharing capabilities. The weight reduction helps with fuel consumption and the streamlined operational benefits are almost limitless.

Jeppesen have recently upgraded their Mobile FliteDeck application in a bit to increase situational awareness and further simplify procedures for pilots with enhancements optimised for iOS 7, giving pilots and flight crew greater sharing options.

“The user-focused design of Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck allows us to integrate key features and functions to improve workflow capabilities and access to critical information, based on individual pilot preferences,” said Tim Huegel, director, Jeppesen Aviation Portfolio Management. “Shared data between devices and improved enroute and weather data interaction increases situational awareness to improve the overall flying experience.”

Giving pilots the ability to access, file and make amendments to flight plans is also a big plus, particularly as part of the CDM initiative. Automation of routine tasks on the flight deck gives pilots greater situational awareness and enhances flight safety aspects.

Pilatus Officially Unveil PC24 Jet on Swiss National Day

August 1, 2014
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Pilatus PC24 Official LaunchMore than 25,000 people watched the Swiss aircraft manufacturer, Pilatus unveil their latest and some would say greatest business jet yet, the PC24 last week. At a spectacular launch, kicked off with a fly-by of all the aircraft that have ever made production during the company’s 75-year history, the new PC24 was pulled out by a team of 24 horses.

More than 120 performers and the children of company staff were involved in the launch and the event was enjoyed by all – children, high-ranking guests, fans and customers of Pilatus.

“Today’s celebration is a clear sign of our commitment to Switzerland as a centre of vision and action. Our company was established here in Stans exactly 75 years ago. We have seen our activities grow and expand here in Stans, and this is where we want to be in the future: in Stans, producing our aircraft for sale to customers around the world,” said Oscar Schwenk, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Pilatus. “It’s wonderful that so many thousands of guests from Switzerland, and also from countries nearby and further afield, have made the effort to be with us here today, to celebrate this event together. The PC-24 marks a really important milestone in our 75-year history“.

The ceremony marked the official launch of the first prototype of the beautiful business jet, which was showcased at the recent EBACE exhibition, where 84 models were sold.

Upgrades to Mandalay Airport Approved

July 29, 2014
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Complex Airport Infrastructure Improvements ProvidersPlans and proposals to upgrade Mandalay Airport have now been submitted to the Myanmar Investment Commission after receiving government approval last week.

Formal talks have been concluded and the agreement is to upgrade the airport to a logistics hub, requiring improvements to airport infrastructure, physical development and promotion of local airlines. Mitsubishi-Jalux and SPA Project Management won the project tender last year and will upgrade and manage the country’s second-largest airport once completed.

Infrastructure upgrades to airport operations involve a full-scale overhaul of messaging environments to allow maximum operational productivity both in the air and on the ground. Today, web-based messaging platforms give airports greater flexibility and can assist with streamlining both operations and costs.

To operate on a truly global scale, Mandalay Airport will benefit from the liberalisation of economic regulations and strengthening of air linkages between the country and other parts of Asia, Europe and the USA.

Airline Operational Messaging Solution Supports Flight Operations at Airports

July 14, 2014
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Other Airport Operations Solutions ProvidersThe National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has awarded a contract for Geospatial Terminal Operations (GTO) to MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd to provide automation for aeronautical charting products associated with airline operational messaging and to support flight operations at airports and airspace.

Aeronautical charting is essential for safe airport operations around the world; providing navigational and geospatial information for pilots and ground crews. Automating the production of such charts will streamline the labour-intensive process and allow for planned integration of systems that will occur over the next three years.

Airline operational messaging must be fast and reliable to ensure smooth, delay-free airport operations. Mission-critical transmissions can incorporate messaging on all levels from air traffic management to ground handling personnel and back office applications.

Type B messages are the typical form of operational messaging for business-to-business communications. Encompassing flight planning capabilities, ACARS messaging and aviation weather data delivery, type B should be seamlessly accurate and reliable.

New Pilatus PC-24 with Avionics to Support Graphical Flight Planning

July 13, 2014
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PC24 with Graphical Flight Planning - Find Out More...Pilatus have announced that the new PC-24 business jet is ready to be rolled out, expecting to make its first flight before the end of the year.

The stunning new jet will be fitted with a Honeywell Primus Apex flight deck, branded as the Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment and will support graphical flight planning on a moving map displayed on one of the four impressive 12-inch displays. The cockpit will also feature an integrated navigation data service (INDS) for the iPad, supporting the paperless cockpit initiative.

Already, the Pilatus PC-24 has received 84 orders, causing a temporary suspension of new bookings with all projected delivery positions now taken from the end of 2017 to the end of 2019.  As the program continues, the company plan to reopen the order books for the $8.9 million aircraft for 2020.

The aircraft combines the performance of a light jet with the range and size of a midsized aircraft and seats up to 10 passengers in a commuter figuration or six to eight in an executive arrangement with options to remove seats to create a larger baggage compartment.

Certification from Europe and the U.S. will be planned for 2017.