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Business Aviation ServicesA couple of former Embraer executives have formed a new leasing business in Dubai to provide simple and straightforward executive jet aircraft leasing to business aviation. The company was launched at EBACE last week.

The new company, Veling Tayara is a part of the airline leasing company, Veling, based in Mauritius and headed by Nirvan Veerasamy, former chief of Air Mauritius.

Ernie Edwards and Colin Steven, both former executives of Embraer Executive Jets are setting out to bring new types of leasing structures with simplified financing that will offer far more flexibility, allowing clients to upgrade or change the agreement as their businesses change.

Mr Edwards said, “Our structured finance model provides more than just an operating lease package for a client’s business jet. Instead of tying up an owner’s cash, an operating lease will permit the owner to invest in appreciating assets instead of depreciating capital equipment.”

“Together, my board and I believe there is a service we can provide the business jet financing world that places the client in the enviable position of not having to worry about aircraft disposal at the end of the lease. At that time, the operator can have the simple choice of either extending the lease or returning the aircraft. It’s as simple as that.”

“Veling Tayara will remove the burden of owning the asset and provide inherent options throughout the lease period. It will provide flexible operating leases designed to clients’ individual needs, permitting upgrades to larger, newer aircraft as the business grows,” said Mr Steven.

Honda Business JetHondaJet, a production model designed to carry up to seven passengers and crew in style has been unveiled at EBACE in Geneva this week. This much-anticipated debut from Honda was well-received, with the company proudly announcing several milestone achievements.

Honda, who have nine aircraft on the final assembly lines, said that the jet is ready for ground testing, having recently taken delivery of the first GE Honda HF120 engines. The first flights are expected to take place this summer.

“Honda Aircraft Co.’s most important goals are achieving Federal Aviation Administration Type Certification and delivering the first customer aircraft,” said Michimasa Fujino, president and chief executive. The final certification stages began in December 2013.

“The HondaJet production line is maturing with efficient and robust processes in place to build high quality aircraft,” Fujino said. “From handheld tablets that deliver worker instructions to an automatic guided cart to pick up and deliver parts, we continue to integrate the latest technology into our production process to create an efficient workflow.”

Airline Operational Messaging with CPDLCL2 Consulting Services Inc have announced the grant of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) validation from EASA to install Iridium Satellite Communications System of NextGen Aircraft 737-700/800/900/900ER.

L2 will now be able to offer European customers a fully certified NxtLink ICS-220A and IRT-2120 communications system that will give the flight crew a dedicated datalink channel, supporting Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC), FANS messaging, ACARS messaging and global voice channel.

Vice President of Operations for L2, Dean Rudolph said, “An EASA STC validation is required for European operators integrating FAA certified systems. We are delighted to now offer our European customers a fully certified Iridium Communications solution on the B737NG series aircraft.”

Aviation Information Sharing ProvidersAviation information needs to be shared across a growing number of partners to ensure efficient day-to-day operational productivity.

The meteorology department of Qatar’s CAA has selected Polycom to build a communications infrastructure to allow the sharing of information across IP/ISDN networks with external government and private agencies, in addition to ports, shipping offices and fuel providers across the country.

Signed by the CAA, the deal will provide two complete Polycom RPX systems with four screens at two locations and conferencing systems that will encourage inter-departmental collaboration.

A web-based messaging environment, such as ARINC’s AviNet, allows cost-effective information sharing across all partners, including the delivery of ACARS messages, aviation weather data and updates to flight plans.

Other Aircraft Internet ProvidersAs the demands for aircraft internet rise amongst passengers, in-flight WiFi communications providers are beginning to see a rise in revenue with Gogo Inc reporting an increase of 35% for the first quarter of this year, amounting to $95.7 million.

“We have proven our leadership in bringing more bandwidth to any aircraft type no matter where it flies,” said Michael Small, Gogo CEO. “In addition Gogo has uniquely positioned itself as a full-service communications provider to the global aviation industry. There’s a sensational demand for connectivity on every face of the earth,” he said. “It’s not surprising that it’s the same demand in the air too.”

Business passengers have had high expectations of aircraft connectivity for some time, according to business aviation providers, ARINC Direct. Faster broadband speeds and global connections are essential for the ‘office-in-the-sky’ needs and competitiveness in the business sector is rising as more operators strive for better services for their passengers.

Other Types of Aviation ConsultancyAviation Consultants Inc began with nothing but an idea to build a corporate aviation business at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport after realising that there was a gap in the market. Bill Borgsmiller lived out of his office and began building his dream in the hope of achieving success that had nagged at him since he was a small boy.

After some years of hard work and an eye for detail, the company reputation is soaring with his 85-strong staff and a growth of 50% since 2009.

“It has been little steps at a time,” said Borgsmiller, recalling that those early years living on the west side of the airport made him “appreciate what I have.”

Growth in the business aviation industry is tough, with competition at a premium. Mr Borgsmiller believes that his success is largely down to his determination to provide quality service with attention to the small details. Maintenance, fuel and flight support services providers must ensure reliability to enable operational productivity.

Aviation messaging is critical to keep down time to a minimum and to maintain a constant flow of critical data amongst all partners. Type B messaging can be confusing and costly if it is not handled correctly. Aviation consultants can help operators to understand these messaging networks and allow information sharing that can streamline the entire process.

Global Flight Support Services ProvidersInmarsat, the British satellite company that suggested the new search area for flight MH370, has offered its current customers free basic aircraft tracking in light of the tragedy.

Inmarsat have 11,000 commercial passenger aircraft amongst its customers, equipped with their satellite technology and have made their offer as an immediate address to the subject of aircraft tracking that has graced many boardroom tables since the aircraft was reported missing.

“This offer responsibly, quickly and at little or no cost to the industry, addresses in part the problem brought to light by the recent tragic events around MH370,” said Inmarsat CEO, Rupert Pearce.

In addition, Inmarsat have discussed the provision of an ‘in-cloud black box’ system that would be capable of streaming historic and real-time flight data, including cockpit voice recording. The ICAO will be taking these discussions further during the meeting in Montreal this week to discuss the technological requirements for the provision of the necessary equipment to ensure that the tragic events of MH370 are not repeated.

A set of standards are expected to be released following these talks, which will be attended by more than 40 representatives of all areas of aviation, airports, ATS and airlines.

Leading Cabin Services ProvidersFlight crews and maintenance personnel will now be able to receive cabin communications training from Satcom Direct in a partnership with FlightSafety at the Teterboro Learning Centre in an expansion of their current training program in Georgia.

The aim is to provide cabin communications equipment training in a demonstration of how the satellite and equipment functions and operates in order for cabin crews to better assist passengers with the operation of the IFE systems and for maintenance crews to learn to troubleshoot.

“Students will have a hands-on experience just like they would in the aircraft,” said Scott Hamilton, Satcom Direct chief strategy officer. “They’ll learn how to optimize computers and mobile devices for satellite internet and voice communications.”

Using the very latest equipment from Inmarsat and Iridium, in addition to the Satcom Direct systems, students will learn how to deal with inoperative equipment whilst in-flight, enabling minor issues to be ironed out with minimal disruption to the service.

Cabin communications providers offer seamless connectivity for passengers and crew with Internet access for in-flight entertainment.

Physical Security Solutions Providers for AviationIt has been announced that multinational security company, Magal Security Systems Ltd, have been awarded a $6.4 million contract to provide physical security measures and an information management system in Nairobi International Airport by 2015.

In addition to security fencing upgrades and multiple surveillance technology, Magal will install an advanced PSIM information management system to integrate and manage the security improvements.

President and CEO of Magal S3, said, “Over the past two years, we have successfully delivered a number of security projects for critical national assets in Kenya, demonstrating how excellence in performance and successful deliveries lead to significant further business. We are proud to be employed by this prestigious national customer and remain committed to supplying the latest technology with the highest standards of execution.”

The announcement follows recent speculation of the release of funds from the Kenyan government to invest in the much-needed improvements to airport security across the country.

Providers of secure, reliable APIS deliveryIn a bid to make the travel experience for passengers as smooth as possible, the Philippines will make the implementation of Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) next year. Carried out jointly with the Department of Justice, Department of Budget and Management Bureau of Immigration, the vital data concerning all passengers will be assessed between 120 hours to 15 minutes prior to departure.

Aside from the security aspects of reliable APIS, the Philippines have long been struggling with efficiencies on the ground, as flights tend to arrive quickly, in succession. The long ground delays have been a problem, causing chaos within terminals as passengers endure queues, hold-ups in baggage areas and a lack of trolleys.

Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. said, “The ideal travel experience is one without interruption. We want the entry of travellers into the Philippines to become as smooth and seamless as possible so we need an efficient tool such as an electronic API. This would avoid long queue in our airports, as we can already identify passengers who are ‘bad’ or ‘good.’ But, of course, we have to have a balance between border control/security with that of ease of entry into our airports.”

The benefits of APIS are clear to see and easy to implement. “All we have to do is to synchronize the system with that of the Philippines government. It will be up to the Philippines authorities to align their systems with the airline companies’ systems,” explained Roberto Lim, IATA Country Manager for the Philippines.

Streamlining passenger processes are just one of the advantages of APIS implementation. The ability to screen passengers in advance gives the authorities the opportunity to spot ‘at risk’ travellers and expedite ‘safe’ ones. Providers of APIS technology offer secure and reliable ways of APIS delivery across the world.