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Sweden to Deploy ADS-B Network
The Swedish Airport and Air Navigation Services LFV Group is about to begin deploying a nationwide 12-station ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) network using VDL (VHF digital link) Mode 4 technology.

FAA Completes U.S. Conflict Probe Implementation
The FAA has deployed its URET (user request evaluation tool) at Miami's Air Route Traffic Control Center, making the conflict probe operational at all 20 FAA ATC centers around the 48 contiguous states.

Australia's ATC System Gets ADS-B Enhancement
Airservices Australia has commissioned an enhanced version of its air traffic control system that will support the ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) ground stations which the service provider is deploying across the country.

ASA to Use Several ARINC Communications Services
Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) will use a package of integrated air/ground communications services from ARINC that includes advanced datalink and a Web-based operational messaging service.

Universal Avionics Receives Part 25 STC for Unique SVS "Views"
The FAA has granted Universal Avionics a Federal Air Regulation (FAR) Part 25 STC (supplemental type certificate) for its unique egocentric and exocentric SVS (synthetic vision system) views.  Universal received a Part 23 STC for the system last October.

Goodrich Teams with Jeppesen for EFB Applications
Under a new teaming arrangement, Jeppesen will supply its EFB (electronic flight bag) software applications and navigation data for Goodrich's EFB system that features a built-in video surveillance viewer, along with other integration, communications and display capabilities.

Qantas Orders Teledyne Controls' Ground Link for A380s
Qantas ordered Teledyne Controls' wireless quick access recorder (WQAR) for installation on its new A380s to automate the recording and transmission of its flight data.

Virgin America to Use Jeppesen Applications for Its EFBs
U.S. start-up Virgin America will use Jeppesen's EFB (electronic flight bag) applications as well as its data, and software management infrastructure for its A320s.

BlastGard Offering Explosion-Mitigating Cargo Containers
BlastGard International, along with Nordisk Aviation Products, is offering a new line of cargo containers for widebody aircraft that have explosion-mitigating properties.

TSA Deploys Trace Portal Machines at Albuquerque
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has deployed two explosives detection trace portals to passenger security checkpoints at Albuquerque's international airport.

SITA Will Integrate Access Control and CCTV for Egypt's Seven Airports
SITA will design and implement a video over IP (Internet protocol)-based CCTV (closed-circuit television system) at each of Egypt's seven airports, including Terminals One and Two at Cairo.

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Sweden to Deploy ADS-B Network

The Swedish Airport and Air Navigation Services LFV Group is about to begin deploying a nationwide 12-station ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) network using VDL (VHF digital link) Mode 4 technology.

The network should become fully operational in 2007, according to LFV, making Sweden the first country to achieve nationwide ADS-B coverage.

Along with ADS-B, the network will support broadcast services for TIS-B (traffic information), FIS-B (flight information), and differential augmentation for the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).  And because it uses VDL-4, it will enable point-to-point digital communication for aircraft equipped with compliant transceivers.

The LFV Group believes its investment will result in significant future efficiencies both for aircraft control and for users, such as airlines, by enabling new practices such as "green approaches," which Scandinavian Airlines has been flying over the past several months.  SAS currently has four of its B-737s equipped with ADS-B as part of its efforts to reduce operational costs and environmentally adverse emissions.

The main long-term motivating factor driving these developments is Sweden's concern over increasing airline traffic.  European authorities are planning for a 100 percent increase by 2020, which authorities there fear will inevitably cause congestion issues, environmental concerns, and increasing loads on airports at a time when the option of adding new runways is becoming severely limited and increasingly time-consuming.

The LFV Group believes that by using existing resources combined with new communications technology, the demand for major infrastructure investments will be postponed.  In addition, the new network should have substantially lower operational costs than conventional, radar-based air traffic surveillance and control systems, and should more easily accommodate next-generation navigation and communications system upgrades.

VDL Mode 4

The enabling technology of Sweden's ADS-B network, VDL-4, employs a TDMA (time division multiple access) technique that divides the communication channel into "slots" of time, each of which may be used to transmit a unit of data.

But VDL-4 differs from other TDMA systems in that it also uses a self-organizing concept known as STDMA, which requires each transmitting station to reserve in advance the slot it wishes to use, thus avoiding conflicts.  The time-slots are synchronized to UTC (coordinated universal time) that is normally provided by a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver.

The development of VDL-4 has been co-financed by the European Union and Eurocontrol.  Bo Redeborn, who directs ATM (air traffic management) strategies for Eurocontrol noted that the recent trial of 4D trajectories in Sweden has "made it evident" that VDL-4, will meet all requirements identified for Europe until 2020, and that "the time is now appropriate to put this technology into operation."

Sweden's CNS Systems is the main supplier for the ground network, and is the first vendor to offer a certified, operational VDL-4 ADS-B system that complies with ICAO SARPS (standards and recommended practices) for the technology.  CNS has a policy of transferring its technology to licensed avionics suppliers and enters into partnerships with system integrators to enable its more rapid implementation.  One such licensee is Rockwell Collins.  06-01-2006.  (Top)

FAA Completes U.S. Conflict Probe Implementation

The FAA has deployed its URET (user request evaluation tool) at Miami's Air Route Traffic Control Center, making the conflict probe operational at all 20 FAA ATC centers around the 48 contiguous states.

URET automatically detects and advises of predicted conflicts between aircraft up to 20 minutes ahead, and between aircraft and special activity airspace 40 minutes ahead, and helps controllers create alternative routings.  This ability, combined with interfacility automation that exchanges flight plan and trajectory information, has allowed shorter routes and more efficient altitudes that wouldn't have been possible otherwise, the FAA says.

Data from URET-equipped centers show that controllers are more likely to assign direct routings, and allow user-preferred altitudes.  Through December 2005, the FAA claims URET has saved users 70.5 million flight miles that translates into $493.4 million.

URET was first deployed as a MITRE CAASD-developed prototype system at Indianapolis and Memphis Centers in 1996.  Lockheed Martin was awarded the contract for its nationwide deployment and the tool went operational at Kansas City Center in December 2001, followed by Indianapolis, Memphis, Cleveland, Chicago and Washington.  In 2003, URET's second phase of more capable and reliable equipment began, and a technical refresh of the hardware was completed in April 2004.  06-02-2006.  (Top)

Australia's ATC System Gets ADS-B Enhancement

Airservices Australia has commissioned an enhanced version of its air traffic control system that will support the ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) ground stations which the service provider is deploying across the country.

Thales has been delivering software enhancements for the Australian Advanced Air Traffic System (TAAATS) to Airservices that incorporate ADS-B processing functionality and display capabilities.  Thales was the developer of TAAATS.

Four new ADS-B ground stations at Longreach, Bourke, Woomera and Esperance will soon be integrated into the operational system, joining the original Bundaberg station.  The 23 remaining stations will progressively be incorporated over the next 12 months.  Air traffic controllers will start using the new stations in June when their necessary training has been completed.

Bachu Murthi, Thales' managing director of ATM activities in Australia said the enhancements enable data received from different sources such as radars, ADS-B ground stations and oceanic ADS-C (contract) messages from satellites that are to be displayed to air traffic controllers on a single screen.  "The system automatically selects the highest level of surveillance available to the controller and provides a full suite of automated alerts and warnings to enhance the safety and security of aircraft," Mr. Murthi said.  05-28-2006.  (Top)

ASA to Use Several ARINC Communications Services

Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) will use a package of integrated air/ground communications services from ARINC that includes advanced datalink and a Web-based operational messaging service.

ARINC will provide ASA with VDL (VHF digital link) Mode 2 datalink over its nationwide GLOBALink/VHF network and will deliver, process and retrieve the airline's air/ground and ground/ground operational messages with its OpCenter hosted service.

In addition, ARINC will integrate a number of other applications for ASA, including the collection of ground maintenance data, and the calculation and delivery of weight-and-balance information.

As part of the service offering, ARINC will provide on-site implementation, engineering expertise, and applications support for ASA during deployment of the new services.  ASA already has started installing the necessary VDL-2 avionics on its fleet of CRJ-200s and CRJ-700s, which should take about 15 months.

ASA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyWest Inc.  06-02-2006.  (Top)

Universal Avionics Receives Part 25 STC for Unique SVS "Views"

The FAA has granted Universal Avionics a Federal Air Regulation (FAR) Part 25 STC (supplemental type certificate) for its unique egocentric and exocentric SVS (synthetic vision system) views.  Universal received a Part 23 STC for the system last October.

Universal's Vision-1 egocentric 3-D view shows the pilot a computer generated rendering of the terrain ahead; its exocentric view shows the aircraft's flight plan and up-coming terrain as seen from a wingman positioned behind, above and to the right of the pilot's aircraft.

FAR Part 25 refers to policies and procedures for acquiring foreign supplies, services, and construction materials.  FAR Part 23 refers to the certification of multiengine reciprocating or turboprop airplanes that carry more than 10 persons under Part 135 (hire commercial flights).

The egocentric view is designed for Universal's PFD (primary flight display) and EADI (electronic attitude display indicator) applications.  It maintains the standard foreground symbology with traditional flight director cues and replaces the blue/brown background with heading, pitch and roll oriented color terrain imagery in real time.  The exocentric view is displayed on the ND (navigation display).

FAA STC ST01897LA was issued for Universal's dual-version Vision-1 SVS that uses its 890R electronic displays on both the pilot's and copilot's side.  The flight tests were conducted by the FAA's Long Beach, California, certification office on Universal's Challenger CL-601-3A.  05-31-2006.  (Top)

Goodrich Teams with Jeppesen for EFB Applications

Under a new teaming arrangement, Jeppesen will supply its EFB (electronic flight bag) software applications and navigation data for Goodrich's EFB system that features a built-in video surveillance viewer, along with other integration, communications and display capabilities.

The teaming agreement allows Goodrich to provide end-to-end EFB system solutions that include aircraft integration, certification and aftermarket support services.  Goodrich will use Jeppesen's terminal charts, and moving maps for en-route and airport operations, as well as Jeppesen's data distribution and management system.

Goodrich's EFB system uses Intel's latest Pentium 1.8GHz mobile processor with standard 1GB (gigabyte) memory, and its standard EFB connectivity includes an ARINC 429 aircraft data bus interface, USB (universal serial bus), Ethernet and optional cellular phone communications (802.11 and 2G/3G).  The system's integrated video server is also standard.  06-01-2006.  (Top)

Qantas Orders Teledyne Controls' Ground Link for A380s

Qantas ordered Teledyne Controls' wireless quick access recorder (WQAR) for installation on its new A380s to automate the recording and transmission of its flight data.

The Australian carrier has ordered twelve A380s from Airbus, with options for twelve more.

Teledyne Controls' Wireless GroundLink records raw data during flight and then compresses, encrypts, and transmits them via cellular technology and the Internet to the airlines' or Teledyne's ground-based processing and analytical systems within 15 minutes after landing.  05-28-2006.  (Top)

Virgin America to Use Jeppesen Applications for Its EFBs

U.S. start-up Virgin America will use Jeppesen's EFB (electronic flight bag) applications as well as its data, and software management infrastructure for its A320s.

Virgin America will use Jeppesen's terminal charts for EFBs, a document viewer, and Jeppesen's data distribution and software configuration management system that ensures the delivery of flight critical data.

The low-cost carrier's navAero class-2 EFBs will be the first ever installation and certification on the A320 family.  05-28-2006.  (Top)

BlastGard Offering Explosion-Mitigating Cargo Containers

BlastGard International, along with Nordisk Aviation Products, is offering a new line of cargo containers for widebody aircraft that have explosion-mitigating properties.

BlastGard has combined its BlastWrap technology with Nordisk's ULD (unit load device) to create a container able to reduce blast pressures at vulnerable locations on an aircraft.  ULDs are pallets and containers used to bundle cargo into large units, that are often referred to as LD3s which is one of their standard sizes.

BlastWrap's technology is based on "well-defined principles" and can suppress blast pressures by 50% - and often by much more - the company says.  Its products are made from two flexible films arranged one over the other and joined by a plurality of seams filled with attenuating filler material (volcanic glass beads or other suitable two-phase materials) that can be configured with a blend of extinguishing agents that protect against fire as well as the blast over pressure.

James Gordon, BlastGard's CEO says his company's system can be employed in new ULDs or retrofitted into existing ones.  The modified unit weighs slightly more than a standard container, and reduces available volume by a few percent, but at a "very low cost," according to Mr. Gordon, who adds that the product vastly improves the chances of an aircraft's survival in the event of a midair explosion, such as the one that occurred in 1988 over Lockerbie Scotland.  06-02-2006.  (Top)

TSA Deploys Trace Portal Machines at Albuquerque

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has deployed two explosives detection trace portals to passenger security checkpoints at Albuquerque's international airport.

Trace portals release several "bursts" of air to dislodge microscopic particles from passengers as they pass through the system that are then collected and analyzed for explosives.  A computerized voice indicates when a passenger may exit the portal.  Security officers resolve any alarms.

The agency has already deployed the portals at several other airports throughout the nation.  The equipment is supplied by GE Infrastructure Security, and Smiths Detection.  Each machine costs approximately $160,000.  06-02-2006.  (Top)

SITA Will Integrate Access Control and CCTV for Egypt's Seven Airports

SITA will design and implement a video over IP (Internet protocol)-based CCTV (closed-circuit television system) at each of Egypt's seven airports, including Terminals One and Two at Cairo.

The video will be integrated with a security access control system (SACS) that covers both the land and air sides for each of the seven airports that also will be integrated with their fire alarm systems and baggage x-ray machines, as well as SITA's AirportCentral Operational Data Base.

The seven airports (Cairo, Sharm-El-Sheikh, Hurgada, Luxor, Aswan, Borg Al-Arab and Abu Simbel) will be linked to crisis management and security operations offices at the Ministry of Civil Aviation in Cairo.  Communications between the Ministry and the airports, including a video conferencing facility, will be provided by SITA as part of this project.

SITA says it will also be providing - in agreement with an ICAO security manager - a security consultancy service to the airports to ensure their compliance with ICAO recommendations.  06-02-2006.  (Top)

Mooney has introduced its new 310-horsepower Ovation3, powered by a Teledyne Continental Motors IO 550-G/AP engine to give it a maximum cruise speed of 197 knots, "the fastest normally-aspirated single engine airplane available," according to Mooney.  The airplane's base price will be $453,000, between the Ovation2 GX ($438,000) and the Acclaim ($495,000).

Cessna is introducing a number of product upgrades for its Citation series, including a Max-Viz EVS-1000 (enhanced vision system) for the Citation Excel and XLS, and a Collins IFIS (integrated flight information system) for the CJ1 and CJ2.  The EVS-1000 option uses a fuselage-mounted, infrared camera and a head-down cockpit display.  The Rockwell Collins IFIS will be standard on new CJ1+s and CJ2+s Citation Excel and XLS.  06-02-2006.

Boeing is starting the final assembly of its first 737-900ER (extended range) aircraft, and will commence a five-month flight test program later this year.  The twin-engine jet will carry up to 215 passengers and fly up to 3,200 nautical miles (5,900 km).  Indonesian-based Lion Air is the launch customer.  06-02-2006.

The FAA and the Israel Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have issued a STC (supplemental type certificate) to Israel Aircraft Industries’ Bedek Aviation Group for converting a B-747-400 combi aircraft from passenger to an all-freighter configuration. The aircraft, owned by Guggenheim Aviation, a U.S. leasing company, will be operated by Air China.   06-02-2006.  (Top)

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released international traffic data for January to April 2006 showing a 6.9% growth in passenger demand and 5.7% growth for freight over the same period in 2005.  For the first four months of the year, the Middle East continued to lead in passenger growth with an 18.3% increase over the same period in 2005.  Freight demand for the first four months of the year averaged 5.7%.  April passenger traffic grew by 9.9% over the previous April, while capacity expanded by 5.5%.  06-02-2006.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) its reporting carriers had an overall on-time arrival rate of 78.4% during April, down from April 2005's 83.4% but an improvement over March 2006's 76.1%.

In April, the carriers canceled 1.1% of their scheduled domestic flights, down from both the 1.3% cancellation rate of April 2005 and the 1.2% rate recorded in March 2006.

The carriers reported that 6.99% of their April flights were delayed by aviation system delays, compared to 7.86% in March 2006; 6.83% by late-arriving aircraft, compared to 7.42% in March; 5.69 % by factors within the airline's control, such as maintenance or crew problems, compared to 6.27% in March; 0.70% by extreme weather, compared to 0.81% in March; and 0.08% for security reasons, the same percentage as March.  (Weather is a factor in both the extreme-weather category and the aviation-system category.)

In April, 42.45% of flights were delayed by weather, down 0.72% from April 2005, when 42.76% of flights were delayed by weather, and down 8.39% from March when 46.34% of flights were delayed by weather.

Detailed information is available at http://www.bts.gov.  06-02-2006.

Bombardier delivered 53 business jets during the three months of February to April, compared with 43 in the same period last year, a 23% increase.  At the same time, the Canadian manufacturer's deliveries of regional jets and turboprops were down 37% at 24 aircraft, compared with 38 in the same period a year ago.  As for orders, Bombardier received orders for 33 business jets, during the three-month period versus 39 last year, and it received orders for 19 regional aircraft, compared with 43 for the same period a year ago.  06-02-2006.  (Top)

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