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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.

European Certifications for Gogo’s Aircell In-flight Entertainment

March 26, 2014
Business Aviation News
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In-Flight Entertainment via Inmarsat SwiftBroadbandGogo company, Aircell are pleased to announce EASA certification for the installation of their in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems for Bombardier Challenger 300 business aircraft.

EASA has awarded Supplemental Type Certificates (STC’s) for their Aviator 300 and UCS 5000 systems. Aviator 400 brings Internet, email and voice applications for both passengers and crew using Inmarsat SwiftBroadband.

UCS 5000, introduced in October last year, gives the industry the first all-in-one router and media server and offers passengers seamless access to in-flight entertainment plus brings router functionality in one box. Passengers will have access to Gogo Vision; an IFE service with a comprehensive library of on-demand movies and TV, in addition to news, weather updates and flight information.

Up to Seven New Glonass Ground Stations Planned for Foreign Countries

February 20, 2014
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Global Coverage with Ground-Stations Networks for AviationRussia plan to deploy a maximum of seven new ground-stations in foreign countries in a bid to improve satellite navigational capabilities with Glonass system monitoring by the end of 2014. The new ground-stations will join 46 that currently operate within Russian territory, three in Antarctica and one in Brazil.

The news was announced at the Security Technologies exhibition conference earlier this month and the focus, according to Vladimir Klimov, Glonass Association Executive Director, is to create a worldwide Glonass augmentation network.

In order for high-precision navigation and communications to operate seamlessly, it is critical that satellite networks can communicate globally with a series of ground-based stations or receivers. High frequency data link communications for example, can only be seamlessly effective if geostationary satellite transmissions can form a truly global network, including remote, Polar Regions and vast oceanic expanses. This is made possible by overlapping coverage zones with carefully placed ground-stations and high frequency receipt and transmission technology is installed within aircraft.

Other aviation HFDL providers include ARINC who successfully achieve global coverage utilising the Iridium and Inmarsat satellite networks.

Business Aviation Services Growth Takes Gogo to Larger Premises

February 3, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Other Providers of Business Aviation ServicesConsiderable growth in the business aviation services sector has been highlighted by the announcement that Gogo plans to relocate its business aviation division, Aircell, to a larger facility in Broomfield, CO, later this year.

Aircell provides business aviation services, including in-flight entertainment and connectivity to private jet aircraft. With almost 200 employees, and plans to create more jobs, the company expect further growth over the next few years and hope that the new facility, housing more than double the space that they currently occupy, will suit their future expansion needs.

The business aviation services sector has experienced a surge in recent times, largely due to the competitive demands of the modern executive traveller. It is expected to offer seamless connectivity during the entire flight and with aircraft covering greater distances, it has been necessary for business operators to step up to the challenges of continuous connectivity.

Business aviation services providers, such as ARINC Direct, bring seamless connectivity to their customers with a unique partnership of Inmarsat and Iridium satellite communications networks. This partnership offers truly global coverage, even when traversing oceanic expanses and Polar Regions.

As demands continue to grow, the business aviation services sector is expected to become more and more competitive and will give rise to further expansion as the year passes. There are no visible signs of business slowing, and as regulatory conditions continue to add to the pressure, it is set to be an interesting year for business aviation services.

Satcom Data Link Coverage Gives Aircraft VHF Communications

December 11, 2013
Business Aviation News
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SATCOM Data Link for Business AviationSatcom Direct, aviation providers of communications solutions has announced that its International office will now bring VHF coverage for aircraft satcom data link communications.

Using the new SITA VHF ground station, the company can offer enhanced flight deck communications with the joint effort from Satcom Direct and SITA.

“Installation of the VHF antenna and ground station is another way for us to continue to support our international customers, especially aircraft that are based at TAG Farnborough Airport,” said founder and owner of Satcom Direct, Jim Jensen. “Having both a VHF and a satellite component allows Satcom Direct to offer our customers a truly global network supporting all aircraft types equipped with a wide variety of avionics.”

Satcom data link allows pilots the flexibility and enhanced efficiency of sending and receiving data messages, allowing greater operational productivity whilst lightening the cockpit load for the flight crew. The improved reliability of satcom data link messaging is a big plus for aviation operators, with global connectivity becoming increasingly necessary in today’s skies.

Business aviation benefits reach into the cabin as the office in the sky is a prerequisite on most flights, either short or long-haul.

Providers of Satcom data link for business aviation, such as ARINC Direct, bring a seamless global connection with their unique partnership of Iridium and Inmarsat satellite networks and offer coverage in previously hard-to-reach areas, such as vast oceanic expanses and Polar Regions.

Voice and internet connections are crisp and reliable with satcom data link and over the VHF network have far-reaching capability, increased efficiency and ultimately help with cost effective operations, supporting a wide variety of avionics systems and web-based operational activity.

Satellite Data Link Solutions Provider Latitude Begin Certification Process for FANS 1/A+

November 1, 2013
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Satellite Data LinkAt the National Business Aviation Association convention last month in Las Vegas, satellite data link solutions providers, Latitude Technologies announced it has begun the process of achieving certification for its Future Air Navigation System (FANS) data link transceiver.

The system will transmit real-time satellite data link communications of safety services data over and via the Iridium satellite network.

“At Latitude, we pride ourselves at always being in the lead bringing to market new technologies developed specifically to help our customers to fly more efficiently, more safely, and more cost effectively,” said President of Latitude Technologies, Mark Insley, at the convention, “FANS-equipped commercial and executive jets are the way of the future and Latitude is very pleased to add FANS to our broad range of FDM, AFF, and SatCom products.”

FANS satellite data link communications can also help long-range business jets with the qualification of FANS compliant aircraft, enabling dynamic route planning and en route flight optimization.

Other satellite data link communications providers, such as ARINC Direct, also offer FANS data link transceivers as an integral part of their flight support services and flight deck communications packages for Business Aviation.

Revised Format of NOTAMs by the FAA

September 20, 2013
Business Aviation News
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In a bid to harmonize the US system of NOTAMs with the ICAO standards, a new and revised format of the delivery of NOTAMs is expected on 1st October.

Improvements will include the definition of numbers to removed the ‘guesswork’ when it comes to units of measurement in the case of FT, LB & NM.  Altitudes will be defined with upper and lower limits and changes to the usability of runways and declared distances will be clear.

The changes come as a part of the 2012 Pilot’s Bill of Rights, which has highlighted and authorized the improvements to the NOTAMs system in the US.  Pilots will be able to access necessary information about their route of flight, prioritizing will filters in alignment with their flight profile.

Field Condition (FICON) NOTAMs will be listed amongst the biggest changes.  Pilots and flight crews will be able to file a Pilot Reported FICON with a list of runway contaminants reportable in the situation of an unmonitored field.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) have an active role in the evaluation of the current NOTAMs system and the recommendation of improvements as a member of the RTCA Tactical Operations Committee.  Another goal is to introduce an improved, user-friendly format for the system delivery of NOTAMs, enabling access with tablets and smart phone technology.

ARINC C-130B Project in Indonesia for Mission-Critical Communications Upgrades & Retrofit.

September 10, 2013
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Mission critical CommunicationsARINC Inc is progressing ‘aggressively’ with the completion of its contract with the Indonesian Government to modernize five of its C-130B aircraft for the Indonesian Airforce, it was announced today.

The project, which began in early 2011 is on schedule and on budget and will help to modernize the transport fleet and upgrade mission critical communications for humanitarian purposes.  There is structural work being carried out in addition to the retrofit of upgraded technology to enhance capabilities.

The work is being carried out by ARINC onsite, which enables the Indonesian Airforce to receive all the benefits of ARINC’s significant skills and knowledge, without having to bear the cost of the transportation of the aircraft to the Aerospace division of ARINC in Oklahoma.

All the parts required have been exported to the modifications facility in Indonesia and work is well underway.  The key milestones have been reached!

ARINC offer innovative solutions to mission critical communications with superior satellite services over the Inmarsat network.  They have been delivering mission critical communications for over 80 years and are well-placed in the industry, having an unparalleled reputation for excellence.

“ARINC Aerospace is uniquely qualified to perform this type of work,” noted Michael Young, Vice President of ARINC Aerospace. “We have far-reaching experience on multiple platforms and a broad range of capabilities. We are pleased that the project is going so well and that we are growing closer to the goal of enhancing the capabilities of the Indonesian Air Force.”

JetBlue Sign Aviation Technical for In-Flight Wifi

September 6, 2013
Business Aviation News
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in flight wifiAviation Technical, Washington-based providers have been awarded the contract by New York-based low cost airline, JetBlue to install in-flight Wifi technology on their fleet of 130 Airbus A320 aircraft.  To installations are expected to near completion by the end of 2014.

Designed by LiveTV, who will give training and technical support to Aviation Technical Services, the technology will provide Ka-band connectivity.

JetBlue’s brand for the in-flight wifi is called ‘Fly-Fi’ and will use satellite networks for connectivity, rather than the more common Ku-band provision, which uses ground-based stations.  This will give faster and more reliable connection.

The Ka-band operates within a higher bandwidth and offering eight times more than the Ku-band, which is also more highly congested.

Other in-flight wifi providers, such as ARINC, use Iridium and Inmarsat satellite networks to provide a seamless global connectivity for their customers within the Ka-band with SwiftBroadband and their CabinConnect solutions.

Air Canada Rouge Select ARINC’s GLOBALink for Communications

August 21, 2013
Business Aviation News
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It has been announced that Air Canada Rouge, North America’s newest leisure group has selected ARINC’s GLOBALink for their worldwide ground-air and flight deck communications requirements.

Air Canada Rouge will use GLOBALink, VHF, HF and Iridium data link as their primary means of data communications in addition to GLOBALink voice services providing continuous voice communications throughout the flight enroute.

Air Canda Rouge’s Vice President of Operations, Al Read, said, “Air Canada Rouge’s success depends upon the team work of our employees and the support of trusted partners like ARINC.”

ARINC’s reliability and support capabilities continues to keep them at the top of the pile in the aviation industry.  Their cost effective and innovative flight deck communications solutions and flight support, in addition to passenger communications packages make them a comprehensive, industry-leading provider.

“GLOBALink’s voice and data infrastructure is the most reliable in the world,” said Ron Hawkins, Staff Vice President, Commercial Aviation Solutions, at ARINC. “We have been helping Air Canada with its air/ground communications for more than 20 years and we were excited to be selected by Air Canada rouge to help them for many years to come.”