Discreet Cabin Alerting Can Improve Inflight Security

Capitol Electronics, a St. Paul, Minnesota-based company, has developed a novel and inexpensive way to provide cabin situational awareness to the flight crew that can be used as a stand-alone device or as a supplement to other cabin surveillance systems.

Capitol’s alert protection system, called CAPS, uses a low-power radio transmitter, activated by finger pressure, to create a very short “burst” at 900 MHz that is transmitted to a cockpit to trigger audible and visual alerts.

If desired, the alerting system can be configured to activate other functions, such as video cameras or electric door locks.  But most importantly, it can give the cockpit crew needed time to assess the situation via their video monitors (if installed), notify authorities, set controls, or retrieve a weapon.

Multi-Layered Security

In today's post-911 world, protecting aircraft from security threats is practiced at several levels both on the ground and inflight, and before departure as well as while en route.

These include the now familiar exhaustive screening needed to board a commercial flight these days, and the use of hardened cockpit doors – and even in some cases, the arming of pilots to prevent their incapacitation.  In addition, camera surveillance systems have been introduced to give flight crews more information about impending threats that may be developing or underway in the cabin, especially just outside the cockpit door.

All of these layers of protection have merit, and have been adopted to various degrees by governments, airport authorities and airlines around the world.

Potential Mandates

But in addition to these steps, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has proposed a standard for its member states to provide for a means “by which cabin crew can discreetly notify the flight crew in the event of suspicious activity or security breaches in the cabin." (ICAO Security Standards, Chapter 13.2.1, Annex 6 ‑ Part 1, issued November 28, 2002.)

ICAO wants this standard to apply to civil international flights of aircraft capable of carrying more than 60 passengers, and is also recommending that its 187 member states extend this provision to domestic flights and to smaller types of aircraft.

As would be expected, because of ICAO’s actions, the FAA is reported to be considering its own NPRM (notice of public rulemaking) on discrete alerts as well.  According to ICAO, the word "discreet" means the system should be unnoticeable, and no verbal communications should be involved.

CAPS Transmitter Prompt

Source: Capitol Electronics

CAPS Advantages

Capitol Electronics believes CAPS can a valuable supplement even for airlines that elect to use a video camera or other passive monitoring systems in the cabin, by:

• Allowing video cameras to be off unless they are specifically activated during a security incident or other emergency.  This answers privacy concerns when cameras are left on at all times.
• Serving as a backup for cameras that might be covered or disabled in someway.  It might also be used as a back-up system for cameras for dispatching under an MEL.
• Allowing a flight attendant to alert the cockpit about an incident that isn’t readily apparent on a camera.  The notorious “shoe bomber” episode is an example of such a situation.
• Allowing pilots to concentrate on flying the airplane rather than vainly trying to continuously monitor video systems.   With CAPS, pilots need to consult their displays of cabin monitors only when needed.

System Safeguards

During CAPS development, Capitol Electronics worked with airlines, government officials, major aircraft manufacturers, and several avionics vendors to understand how the system can meet the demanding safety and security standards inherent in civil aviation.  These consultations have included extensive analysis of issues ranging from possible electronic interference within and between aircraft, dealing with inadvertent activations, and developing the necessary procedures for how the CAPS devices will be controlled during and between flights to prevent their being compromised.

Persons interested in getting further information can contact Jane Pahl, the president of Capitol Electronics. - This piece has been sponsored by Capitol Electronics.