New UK facility for sustainable digital aviation: A new facility at Cranfield University is set to make the UK a global leader in digital aviation research. The Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC) was officially opened by Kwasi Kwarteng, Business Secretary. Researchers at DARTeC are already working with industry partners to advance the application of digital technologies in the air transport sector. Projects are underway to drive forward innovations in digital airspace and airport infrastructure that will help the UK reach its target of net zero carbon emissions and support industry to bounce back stronger from COVID-19. DARTeC aims to address some of the main research challenges facing the aviation industry, including: the integration of drones into civilian airspace; increasing the efficiency of airports through technological advances; creating safe, secure shared airspace through secure data communication infrastructures; increasing the reliability and availability of aircraft utilising self-sensing/aware and self-healing/repair technologies.
Collins Aerospace selects AdaCore’s QGen Code Generator: AdaCore, a trusted provider of software development and verification tools, announces that Collins Aerospace has selected AdaCore’s QGen code generator for Simulink/Stateflow models, and the new TQL-1 Enterprise Qualification Package, to advance the development of their FAA-certifiable Perigon computer, which is designed to support the future flight control and vehicle management needs of commercial and military rotary/fixed wing platforms. By using the TQL-1 release of QGen, Perigon software developers are able to save thousands of hours of testing, verification, and certification efforts, while providing additional safety guarantees to their customers. With the adoption of the QGen Enterprise Qualification Package, Collins is now able to streamline its model-based engineering practices.
Quiet Technology Aerospace gets FAA STC nod on corrosion relief: Quiet Technology Aerospace (QTA) has received FAA STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) #ST04522AT approval for its eighth airframe specific carbon fibre engine inlet replacement barrel. This STC offers a terminating solution for Gulfstream G450 and the shorter range G350 aircraft over the plaguing issue of engine Inlet Cowl inner barrel corrosion on the Rolls Royce Tay Mark 611-8C turbofan engine inlets. Combating an expensive and time-consuming problem of aluminium engine Inlet Cowl inner-barrel corrosion and acoustic screen degradation on the 365 Gulfstream G450/350 series aircraft in service, QTA replaces the aluminium based inner barrel with a lighter weight state-of-the-art Carbon Graphite Composite Barrel which terminates the root cause of the corrosion issue; and comes with a lifetime warranty that remains with the aircraft’s serial number and transfers to any future owner. It is the only permanent solution available today. An additional significant benefit to the QTA G450/350 replacement barrels is a weight savings of 30 pounds per inlet. The Gulfstream aircraft part number replaced is 1159P41150-9, -21, -41 and -43.
IATA: EC slots decision out of touch with reality: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) branded the European Commission’s (EC) decision to set the winter slot use threshold at 50 percent as “out of touch with reality,” and argued that the EC had ignored the advice and evidence presented by EU member states and the airline industry, which had made the case for a much lower threshold. The EC’s announcement means that, from November to April, airlines operating at slot-regulated airports must use at least half of every single series of slots they hold. There is no alleviation to hand back slots at the start of the season allowing airlines to match their schedule to realistic demand or enable other carriers to operate. Additionally, the rule on ‘force majeure’, by which the slot rule is suspended if exceptional circumstances related to the COVID pandemic are in effect, has been switched off for intra-EU operations. The result of these changes will be to restrict the ability of airlines to operate with the agility needed to respond to unpredictable and rapidly changing demand, leading to environmentally wasteful and unnecessary flights. It will also further weaken the financial stability of the industry and hinder the recovery of the global air transport network. “Once again the Commission has shown they are out of touch with reality. The airline industry is still facing the worst crisis in its history. The Commission had an open goal to use the slots regulation to promote a sustainable recovery for airlines, but they missed. Instead, they have shown contempt for the industry, and for the many member states that repeatedly urged a more flexible solution, by stubbornly pursuing a policy that is contrary to all the evidence presented to them,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.
First ALSIM AL250 simulator in Italy: ALSIM announced the sale of the first AL250 in Italy, going to Aero Club Milano, the almost 100-year-old institution based in Milan, Italy. The AL250 simulator addresses initial phase training needs (PPL, CPL, IR/ME) and is SEP/MEP re-configurable simulator certified as an EASA FNPT II. In addition, it offers both classic and glass cockpit instrumentation for each flight model at the simple flick of a switch. This device has been extremely well received since its creation and more than 65 of these have already been installed and are in successful operation worldwide. Aero Club Milano has chosen the AL250 flight simulator (FSTD) to complete its equipment as, nowadays, it’s a “must have” for providing a good training. The new FSTD will be installed at the operational headquarter of Bordoni-Bisleri airport (LIMB), just in the northern side of Milan downtown area. ALSIM AL250 will be the first certified FSTD operating within the metropolitan city of Milan and even in Italy itself.
FlightPath3D hits 500 installations: FlightPath3D announced that they achieved over 500 installations in the first half of 2021 thanks to its availability on any device and any platform. Duncan Jackson, FlightPath3D president, said, “Our suite of interactive travel applications, including our route map and smart travel guide, is driving the demand, especially with our best in class in-seat installations. We’re also seeing the move to a touchless cabin driving demand for our Wi-Fi streaming map that’s viewed on passengers’ own devices. Thanks to our any device, any platform approach, our market-leading map, and travel applications, are available on any IFE architecture (seat-back, overhead, and Wi-Fi streaming) and on any OEM platform. We’re proud of the integration, certification, and joint sales efforts with all of our OEM partners, which include: Anuvu, Astronics, Burrana, Gogo, IDAIR, Immfly, Panasonic, Safran Passenger Solutions, and Thales.”
Constant Aviation’s US AOG network surpasses first-half 2019 demand: Constant Aviation, one of the largest maintenance, repair and overhaul businesses (MROs) in the US, announced that it has expanded its nationwide AOG (Aircraft on Ground) mobile response network by more than15 percent this year to meet growing customer demand. More than 50 fully-trained technicians deploy in more than 30 mobile units from 24 strategically-located base stations to provide dedicated maintenance, avionics and structure services. New network sites include Scottsdale (AZ), Los Angeles (CA) and Salt Lake City (UT). During the first half of 2021, Constant Aviation AOG teams have provided service at over 300 airports. Among the most active service regions during the first half of the year have been Dallas (TX), Scottsdale (AZ), the San Francisco Bay area (CA) and throughout the Northeast. Early in the year, pandemic travel patterns dictated a larger volume of leisure private air travel to more remote locations as aircraft owners self-isolated at second-home locations outside of cities. Constant Aviation’s AOG mobile teams were well-positioned to service aircraft on the ground at remote airports possessing very little permanent maintenance infrastructure. As the country has re-emerged and pandemic precautions are lifted, Constant Aviation continues to see a sharp increase for AOG mobile support calls originating out of major events drawing private air traffic such as golf tournaments, auto and horse races, art and music festivals as well as heavy summer weekend travel to coastal locales in the US Northeast. Constant Aviation AOG mobile teams now support 86 aircraft models from 14 manufacturers, and each AOG vehicle is fully tooled and supplemented with larger tooling strategically placed around the country, so aircraft can be serviced wherever they are located, whether in a hangar, at an FBO or on a ramp. During the past year, Constant Aviation AOG technicians also have serviced aircraft stranded outside the US in locations such as the Bahamas, Mexico (Cabo), the Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic.
Teledyne Controls’ ACES certified for A320s: Teledyne Controls, the aircraft data management business and subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies, has obtained FAA Supplemental Type Certification (STC) approval for installation of its Aircraft Cabin Environment Sensor (ACES) on the Airbus A320 aircraft series. Teledyne ACES is an autonomous solution that enables air transport operators to monitor, measure and analyze air quality in the cabin and flight deck to help them ensure a safe and positive flying experience for passengers and crew. ACES was recently certified for the Boeing 737 aircraft and certification for other aircraft types is in progress. With wireless connectivity to a secure cloud service portal, Teledyne ACES laboratory-grade sensor technology continuously monitors and records the air quality in the cabin and flight deck for potentially harmful contaminants. The extensive air quality data collected during flight is available in real‑time on any mobile device through the ACES mobile app, and via secure web access to the ACES Cloud Service Portal, which provides configurable dashboards, custom alerts, and comprehensive reports that enable the operator to validate the air quality in the airplane, identify emerging issues and document maintenance efforts.
Southwest Airlines joins Sabre: Southwest Airlines has begun offering flights for sale within the Sabre global distribution system (GDS), the leading corporate booking channel in the US. With a rollout of the partnership now complete, Southwest Airlines for the first time offers an ability for business travellers and travel decision makers to book Southwest and its everyday low fares at an industry-standard level of participation within all three major GDSs. “As we bring the Southwest Effect to business travel, our number one focus continues to be removing friction when booking travel, while at the same time investing in the booking channels used most by travellers and travel decision makers,” said Dave Harvey, vice president of Southwest Business. “Thanks to our new partnership with Sabre, we’re able to provide the ability for more organizations than ever before to quickly book and modify travel with just a few clicks. As more businesses begin to open, we look forward to welcoming more travellers back to the sky with Southwest’s famous Hospitality and Heart that sets Southwest apart within the airline industry.”
ACR Electronics Introduces Bivy Stick satcom device: Safety and survival specialist ACR Electronics is introducing the world’s smallest and most simple satellite communication device to the aviation market – the ACR Bivy Stick two-way satellite messenger and app. The new ACR Bivy Stick offers an innovative and affordable option for sending SMS messages, tracking and sharing location information, accessing GPS maps, viewing live weather forecasts and initiating a distress call in an emergency. Providing a convenient, subscription-based solution, the easy-to-use ACR device weighs just 100g and works with a user’s smartphone, offering an efficient way for a variety of general aviation users to communicate and keep loved ones updated when in the air. Anyone using the ACR Bivy Stick can also be reassured they have the back-up of the high-quality customer support network of renowned technology specialist ACR Electronics, a supplier of ground-breaking emergency beacons and life-saving equipment for over 60 years. The device can be used in conjunction with the full-featured ACR Bivy app, which identifies and collates the crowd sourced details and locations of adventures experienced by the growing Bivy community. Working anywhere with a view of the sky with 100 percent global satellite coverage, the 4.5 x 1.8-inch ACR Bivy Stick is ideal for a range of aviators and outdoor adventurers. It features a high-power antenna for reliable connectivity and frequent use, with two-way text satellite communication enabling the user to send text messages to phone numbers or email addresses, as well as share and track location.
CPaT wins deal in Brazil: CPaT Global, the world’s leading provider of distance learning for the airline and aviation industry, announced they were recently awarded a contract by the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC-Brazil) for the provision of distance learning. The contract includes CPaT’s General Subjects library, and Aircraft Systems courses for the ATR 72/42-600, EMB 195, A320, A350, B737NG and B777 fleets. “We are pleased to have been awarded this contract by ANAC-Brazil,” said Capt. Greg Darrow, CPaT’s vice president of sales. “We’re confident that our robust and reliable training solutions will support ANAC’s works to ensure civil aviation safety and security of the audience it serves.” ANAC is a regulatory agency established to regulate and inspect civil aviation activities as well as aeronautical and airport infrastructure in Brazil. ANAC is responsible for overseeing the Brazilian civil aircraft fleet, one of the largest around the world, with more than 10,000 units flying.
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