Satair Group has signed a new distribution agreement with TechSat which covers the Americas (except USA and Canada), Asia Pacific and Europe (except France, Spain, Portugal, Russia and CIS).
The agreement covers TechSAT portable data loading and upgrades running on current and feature versions of Windows, including touch-screen laptops and tablets across Airbus, Boeing, Embraer and Bombardier fleets. The Satair Group will provide aftermarket sales, distribution and support.
Inmarsat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) appointing Satcom Direct (SD) as a global distribution partner for its next generation SwiftBroadband-Safety aviation service.
A pre-agreement between the two companies has outlined the intention for SD to supply aviation operators worldwide with SwiftBroadband-Safety, an advanced new aviation safety service from Inmarsat.
SwiftBroadband-Safety utilises secure IP-based broadband connectivity which enables a range of aviation applications, including flight data streaming (‘Black Box in the Cloud’) and real-time Electronic Flight Bag applications, such as networked graphical weather.
It also enables air traffic management modernisation programs throughout the world and fulfils the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System (GADSS), including global flight tracking, by offering reliable and secure satellite surveillance and communications (FANS/ACARS).
Frederik van Essen, Inmarsat Aviation’s senior vice president of Strategy and Business Development, said: “SwiftBroadband-Safety combines the advantages of broadband connectivity with the proven, extremely reliable L-band spectrum to set a new standard in aviation safety. It offers greater efficiency, reliability and capacity to the cockpit at a lower cost per bit than our trusted Classic Aero service.”
Chris Moore, chief commercial officer at Satcom Direct, said: “Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband-Safety delivers unparalleled safety communication services to commercial airlines and the business aviation community worldwide. The next generation platform’s flexibility opens up a vast amount of possibilities in terms of how customers can optimise their cockpit and aircraft operations.”
Air Mauritius has signed a five-year technology and services deal with IBM for Cloud and Analytics technology services.
The Mauritian airline, the fourth largest in Africa, will use the IBM Cloud and analytics-enabled enterprise planning solution to better manage budgeting cycles, decrease turnaround time for processing data and boost its capacity to uncover predictive insights directly from data to enhance customer experience.
The IBM solution will also harmonize Air Mauritius’ data management infrastructure, providing a single platform to accommodate past, current and future data for business analysis with the same level of granularity. This should result in enhanced operational efficiencies and improved services for customer enquiries and flight bookings.
The deal, which will be implemented in collaboration with KPMG South Africa, will allow the airline to overhaul its enterprise planning processes using the statistical analysis and visualizations of IBM’s Watson Analytics. This will allow authorized personnel across the organisation to have analytical insights from the company’s data, enhancing internal communications and customer experiences. It will also provide an integrated environment for critical, real-time scenario planning and performance management.
Operating out of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Mauritius, its main hub, Air Mauritius serves 24 regional and international destinations.
“We are witnessing increased competition across the aviation industry to improve organizational efficiency and enhance customer experience by adopting the latest technologies,” says Jananda Moothoo, Country General Manager, IBM Mauritius. “IBM’s cloud and analytics technology is helping Air Mauritius to improve efficiencies and accelerate growth and global relevance.”
Beechcraft has received certification from Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) for its line of Pro Line Fusion-equipped Beechcraft King Air turboprop aircraft with cabin enhancements. The company states that deliveries into the Latin American region are imminent, beginning with a King Air 250.
Pro Line Fusion avionics systems are standard equipment on all current production models of the King Air: King Air C90GTx, King Air 250 and King Air 350i/ER.
“We’ve had both the King Air 350i and the 250 with Pro Line Fusion in Latin America for trade shows and demo flights, and customers have been enthusiastic about the investments we’ve made in bringing the latest technology and comfort to the cockpit and cabin,” said Lannie O’Bannion, vice president, Sales, Latin America and Caribbean. “Our King Airs have long been leaders in Brazil and throughout Latin America for their mission versatility and reliability in operating with heavy payloads out of short, unimproved runways.”
Thomas Global Systems has received a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its TFD-8601 Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) upgrade on Embraer EMB 120 aircraft. The STC was achieved as part of a collaborative effort with leading EMB 120 operator Ameriflight, and is available now through Thomas Global and Thomas Global authorized dealers. The Company has entered into a multi-year Preferred Supplier Agreement with Ameriflight covering these products.
The TFD-8601 display is a pioneering plug-and-play, Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display (AMLCD) replacement for legacy cathode ray tube (CRT) displays. Incorporating a high-performance, high- resolution AMLCD, the TFD-8601 provides improved reliability and reduced costs compared to legacy CRT displays, with lower weight, less heat and reduced power consumption. The product retains the use of all existing cockpit systems and makes provision for additional functionality to be included to suit current and evolving mandates, technology and operator requirements. The upgrade can be completed quickly with no changes to existing cockpit panels or wiring, and no crew retraining or changes to flight simulators – minimizing disruption to aircraft operations.
“Thomas Global’s TFD-8000 family of AMLCD displays has been developed based on operator requirements for a cost effective, practical solution to aging CRT issues,” said Andrew Hutchinson, vice president of Business Development, Thomas Global. “The TFD- 8601 eliminates the issue of CRT obsolescence risk, helps drive down maintenance costs and allows operators to avoid expensive full cockpit retrofits – without compromising capability or compliance. The TFD- 8601 displays are increasingly recognized as the obvious choice for long term sustainment of regional and business aircraft cockpits.”
“We’re excited to be flying this upgrade for EMB 120 flight decks,” said Brian Randow, CEO, Ameriflight. “Having reviewed the options to manage CRT display obsolescence and long term EMB 120 cockpit sustainment, we concluded the TFD-8601 was the practical solution — and importantly will lead to more reliable and more efficient operations. We look forward to flying our EMB 120s with these new displays well into the future.”
The TFD-8601 AMLCD display was developed in partnership with Regional Express, one of the world’s leading regional airlines and the world’s largest operator of Saab 340 aircraft. The display was designed with specific objectives to be cost effective, truly plug-and-play and with very high standards of fidelity to the existing CRT display. Thomas Global is now leveraging its Adaptive Display Architecture 2.0 technology embedded in the TFD-8601 to address CRT obsolescence in an increasing range of narrow and wide bodied aircraft.
Kymeta has announced a development agreement with Tecom to incorporate its mTenna technology into an aviation terminal to demonstrate connectivity to a Ku-band satellite.
The flat panel satellite antenna is light and has a low profile which, the company states, helps to reduce drag, weight, and maintenance when in position. The Kymeta satellite antenna is being sold on its ability to deliver high-speed, global connectivity.
Bill Marks, chief commercial officer, Kymeta said that the agreement meant that the company was “one step closer to delivering the benefits of Kymeta’s satellite antenna technology to our aviation market customers.”
Greg Lackmeyer, director, Business Development at TECOM stated: “Coupling Kymeta’s mTenna antenna technology with our next generation RF transceiver is transformational for the global IFC marketplace. We consistently get requests for flat panel solutions from airlines and IFEC providers. The combination will provide our customers with unique technology that will enable lower operational costs while delivering high quality data throughput.”
Boeing has selected Rockwell Collins to provide its industry-leading touchscreen flight displays for all five flight deck displays on the new Boeing 777X. The advanced touchscreen capability will make the flight deck more intuitive for pilots and more efficient for flight operations. This is the first time a commercial air transport aircraft will be equipped with touchscreen forward flight displays.
“Touchscreens are everywhere in our lives and we applaud Boeing for taking the bold step to embrace this next evolution in flight deck technology for an advanced aircraft like the 777X,” said Kent Statler, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Commercial Systems for Rockwell Collins. “A touch-controlled flight deck environment makes it easier for pilots to manage information and do their jobs, and speeds up the process to complete tasks.”
The 777X touchscreen flight displays will be multi-touch, so two pilots can touch the same screen at the same time. In addition, the touchscreens will utilize resistive technology (firm touch versus light) for avoiding unintentional interaction with the displays. The touchscreen bezel will provide bracing features for operation during turbulence.
As Boeing’s display provider on all of its next-generation aircraft, including the 777X, 787 Dreamliner, 737 MAX and the 747-8, Rockwell Collins is delivering a common graphical foundation for pilots across all of these platforms.
Boeing has 300 orders and commitments for the 777X, with first deliveries planned for 2020.
L-3 Aviation Products (L-3 AP) announced that its Lynx NGT-9000 has been chosen by Martinaire Aviation as the ADS-B solution for its Cessna Caravan turboprop cargo aircraft. Deliveries and installations have begun and are expected to be complete well ahead of the 2020 ADS-B mandate.
Martinaire’s fleet consists of 28 Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster aircraft that operate daily scheduled service to more than 50 cities across the United States.
“We were looking for a single unit that could add weather and traffic to our cockpits while also satisfying the ADS-B mandate,” said Alan Rusinowitz, executive vice president and COO of Martinaire. “The Lynx NGT-9000 specifically met our needs, giving us the flexibility to view traffic and weather on the panel-mounted unit, as well as Wi-Fi the data to the pilot’s iPad.”
“The transponder-sized Lynx NGT-9000 is an economical solution for aging cockpits, providing traffic and weather capabilities while also satisfying the ADS-B mandate,” said Larry Riddle, L-3 Aviation Products’ vice president of marketing and sales. “Lynx is much more than a transponder; it’s a touchscreen display full of NextGen situational awareness features.”
When the SmartSky 4G network takes flight later this year, West Star Aviation will participate as an authorized dealer for hardware sales and installation of SmartSky’s innovative technology. West Star will sell and install SmartSky equipment across many business jet models using STC licenses obtained from SmartSky’s earliest distribution partners.
“West Star is pleased to partner with SmartSky in order to continue to provide the latest technologies and services to our customers. In-flight Wi-Fi has become a ‘must have’ in today’s competitive environment and West Star continues to expand capabilities and relationships in order to provide solutions tailored to our customers’ specific needs,” says Bob Rasberry, West Star Aviation CEO.
SmartSky has a patented 4G beamforming technology that delivers a secure signal that locks onto each aircraft in the network. Its broadband connectivity system will provide service over the continental United States using an air-to-ground (ATG) platform with 60 MHz of spectrum that opens up full-throttle, unrestricted access to the web. Passengers can do it all: stream, chat, text, call, game and videoconference.
“West Star Aviation, voted the No. 1 Preferred MRO in the 2014 and 2015 Pro Pilot PRASE Survey, will provide an outstanding avenue for clients to purchase and install SmartSky 4G in a variety of business jet aircraft,” says SmartSky Networks President Ryan Stone. “West Star’s sales and technical expertise complements the seamless connectivity technology that SmartSky 4G will deliver to customers. This agreement is a natural way to augment SmartSky’s expanding distribution network.”
SmartSky 4G with beamforming stands as the only in-flight network capable of offering services where bi-directional high bandwidth and low latency are essential. This includes the use of two-way, live streaming video or in support of advanced applications such as Panasonic Weather Solution’s industry-leading 4DAero application, an electronic flight bag tool for aviation-related weather forecasting.
Duncan Aviation to Host Free NextGen
Duncan Aviation is holding a free NextGen seminar in Bloomington, Minnesota in July. Duncan’s Regional Avionics Sales Manager Mark Francetic and Duncan Aviation’s channel partners will host the seminar at the Hilton Mall of America (3800 American Boulevard East, Bloomington) on Wednesday, July 13, 2016.
From 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. central time, Francetic and channel partners Universal Avionics, Satcom Direct, L-3 Aviation Products, Garmin, Rockwell Collins, Honeywell and ARINC Direct will present practical information about the Automatic Dependent Surveillance- Broadcast (ADS-B) and Future Air Navigation Systems 1A (FANS 1A) mandates. Discussion includes information about the FAA’s plan to roll out Controller Pilot Data Link Communications-Departure Clearance (CPDLC-DCL) at 56 more airports throughout 2016 and what that means for FANS-equipped business jets.
Presenters will also talk about the Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and certified equipment currently available for business jets.
Francetic says he has made it his mission to provide useful information about not only the technology but also precisely what equipment owners/operators will need to outfit and/or retrofit their aircraft to comply with the worldwide NextGen mandates.
Registration and a continental breakfast begin at 8 a.m. Lunch will be provided. contact Mark Francetic for more information and to RSVP. Mark.Francetic@DuncanAviation.com
