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ARINC Acquisition Completed by Rockwell Collins

December 26, 2013
Business Aviation News
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ARINC Headquarters Complex at AnnapolisIowa-based aviation equipment supplier, Rockwell Collins has announced the completion of the acquisition of ARINC Inc, also confirming that two subsidiaries have been sold and that the Annapolis employees will not be immediately affected.

The ARINC Industry Standards Organization has been sold to SAE International and plans to divest ARINC’s Aerospace Systems Engineering and Support, based in Oklahoma City are underway. Both sales and integrations are expected to take six to nine months to complete. For the foreseeable future, Rockwell Collins has no plans to close the Annapolis Headquarters or relocate any staff.

Similarly, the 300-strong workforce in Oklahoma City will see business as usual for the time being.

Rockwell Collins announced its intention to buy ARINC in August this year for $1.39 billion and expect revenues of more than $600 million within the next quarter.

Navtech Flight Plan Growing in Popularity

December 16, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Flight Planning Tools for Enhanced OperationsCanadian flight operations software and services company, Navtech Inc are experiencing success with their Navtech Flight Plan (NFP) product this year.

Flight planning tools and support services are critical to today’s’ airways, providing operational productivity, flexibility and solutions to the ever-growing demand for cost optimization.

As the flight deck boldly strides towards a paperless environment and so does the flight bag, the need for flight planning tools to be seamlessly reliable is also an issue for operators.

Navtech Flight Plan is amongst the most popular choices for flight planning services for commercial airlines and brings complete control to the management of mission critical resources and messaging solutions.

Business aviation leaders, ARINC Direct, offer comprehensive flight planning tools and services for executive jet aircraft operations and rely upon a unique partnership with Iridium and Inmarsat satellite networks to furnish the sector with seamless connectivity on a global scale.

As business passengers are searching for new business in every corner of the globe, it is becoming necessary for flights to achieve further-reaching capacity than ever before.

Flight planning, flight support and passenger communications are swiftly becoming on par with flight deck communications for importance in business aviation as passengers want to travel further, in comfort and with all the necessary communications in place to continue with business as usual.

Private Jet Growth as Businesses Fly Further

December 16, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Flight Support Services to aid Business Jet GrowthThe private jet industry is experiencing a surge as business passengers are increasingly demanding flights to far flung shores and harder-to-reach locations.  This is fuelling a requirement for longer range aircraft to help them achieve their goals.

Flight support services are backing up this new wave of long-haul business jets with satellite communications solutions that provide seamless connectivity – critical for operational productivity for both the airline and the business passenger.

While the total number of business flights decreased 0.7%, the number of long-range business flights rose by almost 19%. This was also reflected in the business jet manufacturing sector as long-range jets grew by 29% and business jet manufacture as a whole fell by 2.1% on last years’ figures.

This has been acknowledged by the president and chief executive of the NBAA, Ed Nolan, who said, “The segment of business aviation that has grown the fastest in the last five years is the ultra-long-range jets that are capable of flying halfway around the world. The Internet has helped shrink the world, and to do business in far-flung places there is still a need for face-to-face communication.”

The oil and mining industries are amongst the most prolific users of the long-range business aviation sector, but an emerging breed of business travellers are spreading their wings in terms of business opportunities in farther corners of the globe.

Many private aviation companies are benefiting from these new trends, such as VistaJet, whose owner; Thomas Flohr began leasing his own aircraft when he was not using it himself.  He believes that the routes are changing considerably, largely due to globalization.

Long-range business jets are still subject to the ETOPS rules and expanding capacity for range and routes gives the industry the boost it needed. Business aviation growth is expected to continue as executives from every corner of every industry strive to find new business from previously inaccessible or economically unreachable locations.

Aviation City Plans for Taiwan ~ Huge Project with Smart Airport Applications

December 10, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Exciting Airport Applications Through TechnologyAn industry group has been founded to bring together resources and services for the planned Taoyuan aviation city project with an expected completion date of 2030.

The enormous project will be funded in a collaborative move by the government and the private sector, who expect to invest $16.7 million, making this the largest investment with the highest expectation in recent years, according to Premier Jiang Yi-huah.

The group, The Taiwan Intelligent Aerotropolis Association (TIAA) was founded last week at an official ceremony.  The President, Lee Yen-sung, who is also chairman of Chunghwa Telecom Co. said, “The association is aiming to build a national gateway with smart technologies.”

The TIAA has five groups who will focus upon technology applications, smart airport applications, regulations, information, communications technology infrastructure and promotion and must provide the government with a report next year, then a proposal within two years on the competition, cooperation and ultimately, the development of the aviation city.

Chunghwa Telecom plans build a cloud-computing centre with numerous 4G base stations.

The project is estimated to be capable of generating more than 300,000 jobs upon completion and economic benefits could top almost $67 billion for surrounding areas.

Interest is understandably high in the project, and the TIAA now has over 70 members from 21 members in October.

Aircraft Registry Launch Planned by Jersey Government

December 6, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Jersey Plans for Aviation RegistryAfter negotiations broke down over the effort to create a joint aircraft registry between Jersey and Guernsey, Senator Alan Maclean approved plans for a dedicated Jersey registry this week.  Both states decided that one registry for both would fail to meet their separate commercial and operational interests and objectives.

It is hoped that the planned launch of a Jersey aircraft registry next summer will open up new opportunities for business on the island.  Guernsey will launch theirs on Monday.

With a formal aircraft registry in place, the Senator hopes that business jet owners will find the island attractive and in turn, figures that this will bring greater opportunities for business, particularly in the legal and financial services sector.

Senator Maclean said, “This is an exciting opportunity for Jersey which will form an incredibly strong additional element to our inward investment strategy.”

Former Director of Civil Aviation for the Isle of Man, Brian Johnson, who is also Director of Operations for Appleby Aviation Ltd, will act in an advisory capacity for the set up and establishment of the registry, which is hoped will be formally launched in August 2014.

DW International Aviation Consultancy & Navtech Partner for Flight Planning

December 4, 2013
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Leading TypeB Messaging Consultancy ServicesUK-based aviation consultants, DW International have announced a new partnership with Navtech, leading in-flight operations software and services providers. The partnership agreement will provide GPS coverage information for airports and routes for the Navtech Flight Plan (NFP) customers to meet PBN guidelines and mandatory State requirements.

Bill Macey, Product Director of Flight Planning at Navtech said, “The relationship with DWI will strengthen the Navtech Flight Plan product. We are continuously motivated to provide our customers with superior quality offerings, especially when they are supported by a partnership with a reputable aviation firm like DWI. Their reliable 24/7 service, along with their initial help desk support will afford our users peace of mind.”

DW International brings technical support as an independent consultancy for aviation communications, navigations and air traffic management.

Many companies enlist the services of consultancy firms for product planning and advice in many areas of aviation.

Leading industry companies, such as ARINC, operate independent consultancy agencies calling upon combined years of experience and technical knowledge to assist the industry with messaging solutions, communications appraisals and operational activities to streamline facilities, maximising cost effective practices across the board.

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim Start Business Operations at Al Makhtoum Airport

November 22, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Global Connectivity with ARINC eHub Solution for AirportsDC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) has become the first integrated business aviation company to start operations at Al Makhtoum International Airport.

In a joint venture, DCAF – Germany’s DC Aviation and Dubai-based Al Futtaim, have completed the integrated hangar facility, furnished with passenger lounge and offices and are now ready to ‘go’.

Their aim is to provide premium service to business aircraft, including a range of services for aircraft management and maintenance, passenger handling and business jet charters.  The company will also offer insurance services, fuel purchasing and many flight support services.

“DWC is expected to play a significant role in enhancing Dubai’s position as the regional aviation hub and we are very excited to be the first business aviation operation in what is undoubtedly going to be a world-class airport,” said Holger Ostheimer, general manager, DC Aviation Al-Futtaim.

It is becoming increasing important to manage airport operations on a scalable and flexible integration program to ensure maximum operational efficiency, utmost safety and accessibility.

Many companies offer airport hub solutions to include web-based solutions for fast and reliable global access from any computer or device.  This can be of huge benefit to multi-airline operations, where multiple DCS can be accessed from one platform, improving efficiency and cost effectivity as airlines can share these operational costs.

Airport operational messaging can be seamlessly managed with these web-based solutions and with the benefit of satellite operations networks integration.

Moscow Region Looking for Investors for Fourth Airport

November 20, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Support for Russian Aviation from Global CompanyPlans are on the table for Moscow to develop the Ramenskoe Test Airfield into the fourth regional airport and the city are on the lookout for investors for the project.

Planners want to have a multi-functional centre, with facilities for International passengers and low cost airlines by 2015 and expanding capacity to 10 million passengers per year by the end of 2019.

The plans have an estimated cost of 7 billion rubles, or $214 million for the airfield development, well known for hosting the MAKS International Aviation and Space Show.  Ramenskoe airfield has been in operation since 1941 and has one of longest runways in Europe at 5,402 metres in length, enabling them to accept any type of aircraft with no weight restrictions.

The airfield was used during the Second World War having ground-attack and long range aircraft based there.  Many Russian aircraft have been tested there and today it houses aircraft of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and the Ministry of the Interior and Federal Security Service.

Investors are invited to bid under strict requirements – 25% minimum shares should be traded on the stock exchange; investors should not be affiliated with any airline operating regular passenger and cargo traffic; investors should not be an aircraft manufacturer and the company should have previous airport infrastructure construction.

Interest has already been attracted in the project, with three of the largest Russian private airport holdings.  Requirements are tight, as investors must also hold international certificates such as maintenance of foreign aircraft and passenger handling.

It is an exciting project and highlights the fast pace of the growing industry.  It is thought by some that the project may turn out to be designed for charter flights and growth in business aviation might suggest that to be a prudent measure.

Many companies are supportive of the emergence of Russia’s growing aviation sector.  ARINC have a focus with a Russian language website dedicated to the provision of critical Type B messaging.

Blogging from Space in-Flight Internet – Testing of Earth-to-Space Communications

November 12, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Blogging from Space with in-flight internetWe have all heard of in-flight internet and many of us may have used it during long-haul flights.  In-flight internet providers are constantly striving for faster, cheaper and more accessible features for passengers.  But what about in-flight internet from space?

In-Flight Internet from Space may be here sooner than you think, as SatWest Communications prepare to test a temporary wi-fi hotspot in space on board a rocket.

“It’s our first test of the technology in space,” said Brian Barnett owner of SatWest, “We use the technology on the ground, and in airplanes already, and this will be the first test in space.”

Internet in Space will require an infrastructure to send messages and Mr Barnett is aware of the private sector demand for such technology, as well as Universities across the world.

The rocket will have aboard a satellite phone and an email device.  After launch in New Mexico, there will be a series of messages sent from high school students in Albuquerque – famous lines and quotes from space movies, to be exact.

Once receive by a Phoenix ground station, the messages will be relayed to the closest Iridium satellite to the rocket, which will be travelling at a maximum altitude of 112 kilometers, just past the edge of space.

Currently the International Space Station does have the facility to transmit messages to the ground via NASA systems and although in the experimental stages, the SatWest technology aims for a cheaper and simpler option with the permanent installation of wi-fi.

 

$6 Billion Earmarked for Airport IT Investment

November 12, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Airport IT & Management Services ProvidersAccording to the recent release of the 2013 SITA/ACI/Airline Business Airport IT Trends Survey, around $6 billion will be spend in airport IT investments by the end of this year.

Approximately 90%, it is estimated; of global airports expect their annual IT spending to increase next year and the focus across all is upon passenger experience.

Airports are spending their investments on passenger processing technology, alongside passenger and information services to improve overall airport operations.

Growing steadily on the priority list is the management of IT information across the sector.

Business intelligence transforms airline data into useful information that can then be used to maximise revenue, improve passenger experience and monitor passenger flow, while effectively managing airport resources.

Airport management solutions can encompass a whole range of functions, from passenger processing, airport operations – front end and back office – and baggage handling.

Multi, common-use technology and systems can help to integrate the entire process, giving access to DCS and flight planning applications across a wide-ranging network and protocols.

Solutions such as ARINC AviNet Airport seamlessly manage operational and mission-critical messaging across the board, giving airports the flexibility they need, while managing costs with sharing capabilities.

Currently, only 8% of airports have achieved their data requirements according to the survey.