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International Telecommunications Union Call for Real-Time Flight Tracking in the Wake of MH370

April 5, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Global Flight Support Services ProvidersThe entire aviation industry have scratched its proverbial head in the mysterious disappearance of flight MH370. It has led to a call from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for improvements to the 50-year old ‘black box’ system, using advancements in technology to produce a real-time flight tracking system.

According to ITU, there ‘should be a mechanism to ensure that aircraft can be tracked in real time using state-of-the-art cloud computing’.

The black box recorder is mandatory on all flights, to record vital aircraft data regarding flight operations, aircraft systems, performance parameters, magnetic heading, positioning and other critical information. It is today being argued that this information should be available in real-time, with no possibility of being manually disconnected or the need for the recorder to be physically located in the event of an incident.

There is little doubt that the strength of feeling is running high at this stage. The industry as a whole is being urged to find solutions for flight tracking that cannot be manipulated.

ACARS Training made Mandatory for Airline Crew in India

March 31, 2014
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Pioneering Providers of ACARS Messaging It has been announced that the aviation regulator for India has issued a mandate for airline crew to be given training on the ACARS system, following the disappearance and issues surrounding flight MH370.

ACARS delivers and receives mission critical messaging throughout the flight, unless manually deactivated. These messages may include NOTAMs, OOOI, engine information and aircraft performance figures, including air speed, issues, position and weather reporting.

Currently, the only area where ACARS coverage is mandatory is within the North-Atlantic route.

Although some Indian airlines have incorporated ACARS into their aircraft, with the largest operator, IndiGo having used ACARS from their earliest flights, several airlines do not have ACARS capability. Murmurs around the aviation industry suggest that every flight should carry the latest that technology has to offer for mission critical messaging.

A*Star at Singapore Airshow with Innovations for Communications

February 17, 2014
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Global Aviation Communications Solutions ProvidersWith a growing focus upon sustainable solutions for the aviation industry, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) plan to demonstrate their R&D initiatives at the Changi Exhibition Centre; the location for the Singapore Airshow this year.

As the industry continues to expand and demands grow, with an expected 3.3 billion people expected to use commercial flights in 2014, globally, the industry needs some solutions – and fast. Aviation communications is just one area that will be addressed with the latest innovations and solutions, in addition to maintenance issues and analytics.

The very latest aviation communications technology will be on display including an electromagnetic compatibility tool which is designed to minimise interference and enhance evaluation of sensor systems onboard. There will be solutions for Software Defined Radio and Disruption Tolerant Networking that will allow for message routing in intermittently-connected networks with a focus upon reliability and performance.

In today’s busy skies, and with a forecast of ever-increasing traffic, airport and airline management has never been so critical. Operators are looking at sustainable aviation communications solutions to carry them forward in a competitive industry that never sleeps.

FLYHT Aerospace Solution for Critical Data Transfer

January 24, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Critical Data Transfer Solutions ProvidersByron Capital Markets have recommended a ‘strong buy’ option for FLYHT Aerospace Solution, which includes critical data transfer solutions, aircraft operations management and fuel management system for aviation operators.

“FLY sits at a significant revenue inflection point in 2014 with several events serving as catalysts in the near and medium term”, says the Byron report, “Airbus currently has a backlog of 1,600 planes to be cleared in three years.”

Next-generation messaging systems are set to be mandatory in the skies by February 2015. The strict regulatory requirements is an expected solution for congested airwaves and will mean that critical data transfer can be seamlessly reliable, while lessening the workload in the cockpit.

“Crowded skies, aging fleets, outdated communications are stifling airline the industry,” states the Byron report, “Increasing globalization and trade between developed and emerging markets has and will continue to spur air travel, crowding skies further. Carrier fleets are aging. Workhorses such as the Boeing 737 and 767 are nearing 20 years’ old and are fuel inefficient compared to the current alternatives.”

Other providers of critical data transfer solutions are working hard to ensure that aviation operators are ready for the changeover by this time next year.

Mission Critical Messaging System Selected by JorAMCo

January 15, 2014
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Mission Critical Messaging System ProvidersJordan Aircraft Maintenance Ltd (JorAMCo) have selected AirVault to provide them with a web-based mission critical messaging service to assist with the management of aircraft maintenance records.

The Amman-based company have experienced steady growth and now need a more efficient messaging system to enhance their growth strategy.

Airline mission critical messaging requires not only efficiency, but reliability and security to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Aircraft maintenance requests and records must be delivered and received in a timely manner to reinforce the efficiency of the operator. Down-time spells financial losses and it is crucial that the entire process runs smoothly, quickly and reliably.

There are many providers of mission critical messaging solutions for aviation companies. Big organisations, such as ARINC, offer AviNet messaging solutions as a part of their integral and operational suite of products.

“We’re proud that JorAMCo chose AirVault as a mission-critical service to support the aircraft maintenance services it provides to its airline customers.  The adoption of AirVault technology by JorAMCo reinforces the value for the MROs of managing aircraft fleet maintenance records across their entire ecosystem of airline customers, business partners, and regulatory authorities,” said CEO of Critical Technologies, John Oldham, “The AirVault cloud-computing service provides the MRO a global conduit to better manage the bi-directional process of aircraft maintenance records files, in synchronization with their airline customers.”

L2 Given Go-Ahead for CPDLC on 767

January 6, 2014
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Other Leading Datalink Communications ProvidersAvionics engineering company, L2 Consulting Services, Inc. (L2) recently announced it has received a Federal Aviation Administration Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of the International Communications Group, Inc. (ICG) Iridium Communications System on 767 series aircraft.

A dedicated datalink channel will be able to support Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), Future Air Navigation System (FANs) messaging, Automatic Dependent Surveillance Contract (ADS-C) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC).

Having developed the integration engineering, produced the installation kits and project managed throughout, including the STC process, L2 will now be allowed to install comprehensive communications systems via ICG NxtLink Series ICS-120A and ICS-220A line replaceable units.

Michael Eiras, Senior Director of L2 Technical Services welcomed the Iridium Communications System STC on the 767 aircraft saying it would ‘complement the companies current portfolio of SATCOM installations on the 737, 747, 757 and 777 aircraft.’

Major Overhaul of Gatwick’s Vintage Technology Planned to Improve Communications Infrastructure

November 10, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Operational Messaging & Communication Infrastructure SolutionsThe communications infrastructure of Gatwick Airport is set for a major overhaul to replace vintage 1950’s technology for the latest cloud-based communications services.

Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport serving an ever-increasing passenger list of 34.2 million every year.  The project will vastly improve passenger services in addition to 2,500 airport end-users and commercial customers, while reducing costs as staff will be given access through any device.

A five-year contract to upgrade and revamp the communications infrastructure will be carried out by Xchanging, with support from Cisco and Fujitsu.

The aim is to understand the communications infrastructure with a heavy focus upon making Gatwick a key contender, not just for the UK, but for Europe as a key choice.

Michael Ibbitson, CIO of Gatwick airport said, “ By adopting this new approach, we will be transforming the way our staff operates – video conferencing with each other, for instance and working from home effectively during snow days.  This slicker operation will have a significant impact on passenger experience which is what we are always striving to improve.”

The project began earlier this autumn and has a hosted voice and collaboration service.

It is critical for communications infrastructure to understand the messaging needs of an airport and operations to ensure maximum benefits and operational productivity.  Consultancy providers are worth their weight in this respect.

NBAA Reaches Milestone 10,000 Members

November 8, 2013
Business Aviation News
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For the first time in the organisation’s history, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced last week that its membership has now reached 10,000 registered members.

The 10,000th member is named as TCB Air LLC from Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The NBAA was founded in 1947 by a small group of the Wings Club who met in a New York hotel in 1946.  They realised the critical need for some organization within Business Aviation in the area of air space management and air traffic control.

Founding member, Mr Palmer J Lathrop or Bud to his flying associates, stressed the importance of the promotion and protection of the interest of business aircraft operators and led the way in an informal meeting of 13 aviators on May 17 1946.

Mr Lathrop wrote to the Presidents of a number of aviation companies and invited them to take representation at a further meeting to continue the important discussions.

A total of sixteen companies were eventually represented at the meeting on 21st November 1946 and led to the formation of the Corporation Aircraft Owners Association which was later to become the NBAA in 1953 following the Korean War, but the first A stood as Aircraft until 1997 upon its 50th anniversary, when the final decision was made to settle upon the National Business Aviation Association that it is today.

ARINC’s John Monto to Speak About TETRA Solution for Mission Critical Transmissions of Aviation Communications

November 6, 2013
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TETRA Radio Takes Mission Critical Transmissions into the FutureIt has been announced that John Monto, ARINC’s Director of Radio Technology Solutions will speak at the inaugural TETRA conference about mission critical transmissions of aviation communications, specifically for LAX airport.

Mr Monto will look at the implementation process of the TETRA deployment, following the recent FCC approval for its use in mission critical transmissions.

TETRA could bring potential benefits for ground-based, physical security issues at LAX and at airports across America, particularly in the transportation and utilities sectors.

“ARINC is dedicated to ensuring our customers have clear connectivity to communicate vital information to airline personnel, passenger services, ground handlers, terminal security teams, and all airport ground support staff,” said Monto. “I am excited to discuss how our valued customers at LAX are using TETRA and the benefits it is providing that’s enabling them to get their jobs done in a more timely and efficient manner.”

New Facility with Enhanced Passenger Processing Launched by Quintessentially Aviation

October 17, 2013
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Quintessentially Aviation FBO will launch its new FBO facility with efficient passenger processing at Shannon Airport at the NBAA Convention in Las Vegas.

The new FBO commenced operations at the beginning of this month and is part of a joint venture between QA and Sky Handling Partners.

Custom Clearance Shannon is the only place outside the Americas that can furnish business aviation with US pre-clearance and boasts turnaround times of approximately 45 minutes, which has made Shannon an attractive place for passengers of both departures and arrivals into the US with swift and smooth passenger processing.

“We anticipate that 90% of our clientele will be transatlantic clients wishing to maximise the ease of clearance opportunities at the airport. They are also likely to be high net worth individuals originating in Russia or the Middle East, so Shannon’s strict security monitoring, is also an attraction” said Brendan McQuaid, Managing Director, confirming why Shannon Airport was selected for the inaugural QA FBO.

Expected to be completed at the end of this year, the large crew facilities will include a rest area, showers, WiFi, flight planning capabilities and satellite television with a new passenger lounge with contemporary style and service.

The company are hoping to attract new clientele with the new facility in addition to the competitive fuel pricing structure developed in partnership with World Fuel.

Quintessential Aviation FBO hope that this new facility will be the first of many and look forward to its success.