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New Anti-Runway Incursion System Demonstrated
The FAA has been evaluating a unique technology from Norris Electro Optical Systems Corp. meant to automatically detect potential airport surface incursions and collisions, and warn the affected pilots directly and instantaneously.

Ubitech to Upgrade Botswana's Data Communications and Information Systems
Botswana's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has contracted with Canada's Ubitech Systems to provide a host of upgrades and accessories to its data communications and information systems.

Boeing Delivers First In-Seat Video System on 737NG
Boeing Company recently delivered a 737-800 to Jet Airways equipped with an in-seat video entertainment system.  This was the first 737NG (next generation) to have such equipment installed at the factory.

Two Airlines Select Jouve for Technical Information Management
US Airways has selected Jouve's suite of products and services to author, manage and distribute the maintenance-related technical information of its post-merger mixed fleet.  Evergreen International will use Jouve's job card system for it recently modified B-747-400 LCF.

Neos Orders Teledyne Controls AirFASE Flight Data Monitoring
Italian carrier Neos ordered flight data monitoring software, jointly developed by Teledyne Controls and Airbus, to help monitor its fleet of B-737NGs and B-767 300ERs.

Central Flying Service Selects Passur FBO Product Suite
Arkansas' Central Flying Service will use a PASSUR suite of FBO (fixed base operator) information and flight-tracking tools to help manage its operations and marketing activities.

Aviapartner Launches Automated Baggage Reconciliation System
Aviapartner has implemented an automated wireless baggage reconciliation system for Finnair at Brussels that allows baggage labels to be scanned automatically with wireless hand terminals.

Regarding "Wingman: Available Technologies Might Have Saved Comair 5191,"

Reader David E. Grilley, wrote:

"Gentlemen, I’m sorry, but as a primary flight instructor, I distinctly remember teaching my students to check their compass on runway line-up.  While new technology is great, sometimes it is a failure to follow basic principles that gets us in a bind like this."

Wingman's response:

I agree with Mr. Grilley when he says that we should use good practices, such as checking one's heading on runway line-up, and this piece wasn't in any way an attempt to dismiss or belittle such procedures.

Wingman's point was not to replace or ignore good habits and safety rules, but to recognize that humans are susceptible to what appear in retrospect to be inexplicable errors.  And which human-created technologies can in some cases negate.

More specifically, one also should be remember, that other accidents similar to this one, have occurred because of a mistaken takeoff or landing on a parallel runway or taxiway with the same heading.

We invite other readers to comment on this subject, or on any other appearing in Flt Tech Online.

B-747 Large Cargo Freighter Completes First Flight
The Boeing 747-400 LCF (large cargo freighter) flew for the first time on September 9th, initiating the flight test program that will culminate in FAA certification.

Check Out Additional  Fleet Changes

Check Out Current Industry Trends

New Anti-Runway Incursion System Demonstrated

The FAA has been evaluating a unique technology from Norris Electro Optical Systems Corp. meant to automatically detect potential airport surface incursions and collisions, and warn the affected pilots directly and instantaneously.

The Norris system, dubbed ARIPS (autonomous runway incursion prevention system), is based on an autonomous technology that employs ultraviolet light emitted from modified runway and taxiway lights, along with corresponding detectors, arranged to provide "trip wires" at pertinent runway thresholds and crossings to detect moving aircraft and other vehicles.  A software application processes the detection information to create an alert such as changing the state of runway status indicators.

The ultraviolet light sensors aren't affected by weather such as fog and rain, and can be installed on in-place taxi and runway lighting without disrupting normal airfield activities.  It requires no major integration with other systems, and can be integrated into an airport's existing power sources.  ARIPS' simplicity allows it to be procured and installed within 12 to 18 months, according to Norris.

A range of laboratory and field tests at the component and subsystem levels were conducted between 2002 and 2004 that led to the formulation of the ARIPS concept, and an initial prototype was installed at the Providence Rhode Island's T. F. Green Airport (PVD).  The prototype consists of 18 emitter-sensor pairs installed on selected runways and taxiways to provide aircraft threshold-crossing detection information.

During the PVD demonstration, ARIPS was tested against six runway-incursion scenarios, based on actual incidents at Boston, Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles, including a potential collision on two intersecting runways, and an aircraft blundering onto an active runway from a taxiway.  09-09-2006.  (Top)

Botswana's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has contracted with Canada's Ubitech Systems to provide a host of upgrades and accessories to its data communications and information systems.

Ubitech first provided its technology to DCA in 2004 with the deployment of an integrated AFTN (aeronautical fixed telecommunication network) and AIS aeronautical information system).  This contract will provide major enhancements to the existing systems with regards to the eAIP (electronics aeronautical information publication), static AIS and flight plan databases, pilot-briefing interface, flight-strip management system, and control-and-monitoring facility.

An additional deliverable of the contract will be the deployment of Ubitech's aeronautical billing software tool, called BillSys, that helps aviation authorities to invoice aircraft operators for their use of air, ground, and communications facilities.  09-09-2006.  (Top)

Boeing Delivers First In-Seat Video System on 737NG

Boeing Company recently delivered a 737-800 to Jet Airways equipped with an in-seat video entertainment system.  This was the first 737NG (next generation) to have such equipment installed at the factory.

The Jet Airways airplane has seven-inch Panasonic eFx video monitors mounted in the back of every seat in economy class and nine-inch video monitors mounted in the seat arms in business class that will offer AVOD (audio and video on-demand) entertainment and in-fight information.

In addition, Jet Airways' 737-800s are also equipped with 110-VAC power outlets throughout the cabin, and gooseneck personal reading lights in business class.

So far, Boeing says three customers have ordered the in-seat video system option, which is supplied by Panasonic and Thales.  09-10-2006.  (Top)

Flight Display Systems is introducing a new slide-mounted display for aircraft cabins that requires 37% less space than previous models.

According to Flight Display, its new FD151SMT is the most compact slide mount available on the market today, and its LCD (liquid crystal display) is visible in both the stowed and deployed positions.

David Gray, the founder of Flight Display Systems says the company sees the system being used on such aircraft as the Pilatus PC-12, Hawkers, Citations, and other aircraft with relatively small cabin space.

The FD151SMT has a list price of $7,450, including a 15-inch low-profile LCD screen.  09-10-2006.  (Top)

US Airways has selected Jouve's suite of products and services to author, manage and distribute the maintenance-related technical information of its post-merger mixed fleet.  Evergreen International will use Jouve's job card system for it recently modified B-747-400 LCF.

The new low-cost US Airways, created by the merger of the old US Airways and America West, will use Jouve's AirGTI Enterprise Suite to handle all of its technical content including standard operating procedure manuals, OEM airframe and engine manuals, engineering documentation and task cards for its Boeing, Airbus and Embraer aircraft types.

The carrier will use Jouve's end-to-end document and content management application to disseminate content and manage its changes, and Jouve's New Generation Engineering Solution to manage and distribute other maintenance and engineering information, including the creation and distribution of work packages.

Evergreen International

Evergreen International Airlines will use Jouve's AirGTI Task Manager to manage its job cards and technical documents to support the cargo carrier's maintenance and engineering operations for its B-747-400 LCF (large cargo freighter) fleet, especially designed to transport B-787 fuselage sections during the aircraft's manufacture, as well as its existing 13 B-747-100/200Fs.  09-10-2006.  (Top)

Neos Orders Teledyne Controls AirFASE Flight Data Monitoring

Italian carrier Neos ordered flight data monitoring software, jointly developed by Teledyne Controls and Airbus, to help monitor its fleet of B-737NGs and B-767 300ERs.

Teledyne's and Airbus's AirFASE (aircraft flight analysis and safety explorer) application was specifically designed to assist aircraft operators with their flight operations, safety management, and aircraft maintenance programs by translating aircraft data into meaningful information such as trends and identifiable precursors of pertinent risks.  But it also helps airlines to harmonize their flight operations monitoring programs with the recommendations and requirements of regulators.

To analyze flight data, AirFASE uses a FAP (flight analysis program), unique to each aircraft type, that reconstructs the flight, compares actual data with recommended values, and highlights abnormal events and deviations. Visualization tools, including 3D animation, make it easier to review flight information, and a configurable reporting editor delivers customizable reports.

The application is compatible with all major types of commercial transport aircraft, including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer, and has been selected by approximately 80 airlines worldwide, Teledyne says.  09-09-2006.  (Top)

Air France will install Boeing's EFBs (electronic flight bag) on its entire fleet of B-777s, including 42 currently in service and 13 to be delivered.

KLM, Air France's partner in the Air France-KLM Group, launched the Boeing integrated class-3 EFB on 777s when it ordered the device in 2002.

Boeing sold more than 850 of the information management systems since it was first offered in 2002, from operators of 737NGs, 747s, 757s, 767s, 777s, and 787s on which it comes as standard equipment.

Air France is the eighth Boeing customer to opt for its EFB this year. Aeromexico, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, UPS, SonAir, Etihad Airways and Jet Airways are the others.

Besides managing information such as navigation charts, Boeing's EFB can serve as a communications gateway between the airplane and the airline's operations center and maintenance controllers, where it can integrate with a range of other Boeing "e-Enabled" maintenance and performance products such as its Airplane Health Management, Maintenance Performance Toolbox and Integrated Materials Management.

Other EFB applications that Boeing is currently testing include some that allow pilots to follow other airplanes both in flight and on the ground because of improved surveillance and complimentary pertinent information.

The Boeing EFB uses both internally created software and applications developed by its Jeppesen subsidiary, but also uses an open-architecture platform that allows the airline to add its own documents or third-party applications.  09-09-2006.  (Top)

Arkansas' Central Flying Service will use a PASSUR suite of FBO (fixed base operator) information and flight-tracking tools to help manage its operations and marketing activities.

Central Flying will use PASSUR FBO, including its Portal, Pulse, and inSight to help manage operations and marketing efforts.

Portal provides a live snapshot of operational information on a "Web dashboard" and a starting point for information sharing and communication among its users. Pulse for FBOs accesses activity reports based on PASSUR's database of flight information, including detailed owner/operator information.  InSight is a Web-based flight following program that combines national en route flight tracking with terminal-area tracking from PASSUR's own radar network.  09-11-2006.  (Top)

Siemens will design and build an inline baggage handling system at Detroit Metro that includes high-speed diverters to automatically route checked bags through EDS (explosive detection system) machines, and integrated software to control and monitor its functions.

The new baggage system is part of the new North Terminal redevelopment project that will raze the old James M. Davey Terminal and construct a new, two-level facility with 26 gates that should open in 2008 to accommodate airlines currently operating out of the Smith and Berry Terminals.

In addition to the automatic baggage handling system for departures, Siemens will also supply six baggage claim units.  09-11-2006.  (Top)

Aviapartner has implemented an automated wireless baggage reconciliation system for Finnair at Brussels that allows baggage labels to be scanned automatically with wireless hand terminals.

When a flight is ready for closing at departure, a manifest is produced with all necessary information from the airline's DCS (departure control system) via SITA's BagMessage exchange, and the airport's wireless network.

Aviapartner says it's the first handling company to launch such a system, which is now ready to be rolled out throughout its network.

The system which was developed with Java programming language, uses a standard Internet browser and runs on Aviapartner's central server in Brussels via its own WAN (wide-area network) backbone.  09-09-2006.  (Top)

The Boeing 747-400 LCF (large cargo freighter) flew for the first time on September 9th, initiating the flight test program that will culminate in FAA certification.

The aircraft is a specially modified 747-400 that will transport major composite structures of the B-787 during its manufacturing.  As can be seen in the photo below, its most distinctive feature is an enlarged upper fuselage that can accommodate three times the cargo, by volume, of a standard 747-400 freighter.

B-747 LCF Takeoff on First Test Flight

Source: Boeing

The test was flown from Taiwan's Taoyuan airport, formerly known as Chiang Kai-Shek, where Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp., part of Taiwan's Evergreen Group, is modifying three of these airplanes at its facility there

Flight tests are expected to last through the end of the year.

The first two LCFs will enter service in early 2007.  Eventually, a fleet of three LCFs will ferry over-sized 787 components between Nagoya, Japan, Grottaglie, Italy, Wichita, Kansas, and Charleston, South Carolina, before flying them to the Boeing factory in Everett, Washington, for final assembly.  09-11-2006.  (Top)

The FAA has granted type certification to the Citation Mustang, Cessna's new-generation entry-level business jet.  Cessna says it's the first TC granted for an aircraft in the VLJ (very light jet) class.

The Mustang's type certification includes operations with a single pilot, during day or night and using VFR or IFR (visual or instrument flight rules).  It is also approved for RVSM (reduced vertical separation minimum operations). While it wasn't required for full type certification, Jack Pelton Cessna's chairman, president and CEO, said the aircraft would be "cleared for flight into known icing conditions in the next couple of weeks, well before our deliveries to customers start early next year."

Cessna Citation Mustang

Source: Cessna

The Mustang is equipped with a Garmin G1000 instrument system, an integrated, dual-channel fail-passive digital autopilot, and according to Cessna, is the first aircraft with an integrated flightdeck that is certified to take advantage of WAAS (wide area augmentation system) navigation, including LPV (localizer performance with vertical guidance) approaches.  The G1000 avionics suite also includes Garmin's SafeTaxi feature which shows the pilot a graphical representation of the aircraft on airport surfaces.

A digital weather radar and integrated class-B TAWS (terrain awareness and warning system) are optional.

Mustang Flightdeck

Source: Cessna

The six-place jet is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F engines with dual FADECs (full-authority digital electronic controls), has a top speed of 340 knots TAS (true airspeed), a range of 1,150 nautical miles, and a service ceiling of 41,000 feet.

Cessna says it currently has 250 orders for the Mustang, and has sold out its production well into 2009.  09-11-2006.  (Top)

Ireland-based AerVenture will use CFM56-5B engines to power the group of 30 A319s and A320s it ordered in late 2005.  AerVenture is a joint venture between AerCap, a leasing, trading and asset management firm and LoadAir, a recently established cargo airline based in Kuwait.  09-10-2006.

Bavaria International Aircraft Leasing took delivery of its first B-737-800 that will be operated by India-based Air Sahara.  09-10-2006.

Frontier Airlines ordered 10 Bombardier Q400 turboprops, and took options for 10 more, as it plans to launch a wholly owned subsidiary carrier yet to be named.  The first Q400 should be delivered in May 2007, with subsequent deliveries continuing through next year.  If the options are exercised, those deliveries would begin in March 2008.  09-10-2006.  (Top)

Boeing sold 561 aircraft in the first eight months of 2006, compared to the same period in 2005 when it sold 609.  09-11-2006.

The U.K.'s NATS reported a 3.1% year-over-year increase in the number of flights handled in August (at 220,408).  Transatlantic flights were up 7.1% and non-transatlantic over flights were up 18.3%; routes between Ireland and Italy, France, Spain and Germany showing the largest increases.  The domestic market improved 0.3%.  Traffic at the 15 airports, where NATS operates, increased by 1.2%.  09-11-2006.

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) said its 20 reporting carriers had an overall on-time arrival rate of 73.7% in July, an improvement over both July 2005's 70.9% and June 2006's 72.8%.

In July, the reporting carriers canceled 1.7% of their scheduled domestic flights, the same rate recorded in June 2006 and down from the 2.2% cancellation rate recorded in July 2005.

The reporting carriers had 7.16% of their July flights delayed by the aviation system, compared to 7.67% in June 2006; 8.37% by late-arriving aircraft, compared to 8.67% in June; 7.53% by factors within the airline's control, such as maintenance or crew problems, the same percentage recorded in June; 1.15% by extreme weather, compared to 1.26% in June; and 0.05% for security reasons, compared to 0.06% in June.  (Weather is a factor in both the extreme-weather category and the aviation-system category.  Weather is also a factor in delays attributed to late-arriving aircraft, although airlines do not report specific causes in that category.)

In July, 42.04% of flights were delayed by weather (including those reported in either the category of extreme weather or included in system delays), down 22.28% from July 2005, when 54.09% of flights were delayed by weather, and down 6.93% from June when 45.17% of flights were delayed by weather.

Detailed information is available at http://www.bts.gov. 09-11-2006.

The Association of European Airlines (AEA) reports 20.2% of its members departures were delayed by more than 15 minutes in the second quarter of 2006, compared with 18.1% in the same period in 2005, and 16.6% in each of the two years before that.  All three months of the second quarter similarly showed a year-on-year increase in delays, the highest being 22.3% in June.  Of the 27 major European airports surveyed by AEA, Madrid had the most departure delays at 28.7% of departures. Paris Charles de Gaulle, London Heathrow and Gatwick, and Barcelona, all had departure delay rates in excess of 25%.  The least delay-affected airport was Brussels, at 13.8%, followed by Geneva and Istanbul, then Helsinki and Vienna.  09-11-2006.  (Top)

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