WAvES

Many of you may not have had the opportunity to visit Northern Avionics during AIX; however, the IFExpress team had the opportunity to visit their exhibit which boasted a new line of seat-back and cabin monitors, as well as, a new PSS. Their inflight entertainment platform is called WAvES, which stands for Wireless Avionics Entertainment System and it is comprised of a server with 1 TB solid-state storage and an IEEE 802.11ac tri-band wireless access point in a single box weighing less than 4 lbs. Waves was designed to provide the smallest installation footprint and AOG time in the industry. The core system consists of one or more units called CELLs which include:

• A state-of-the art tri-band IEEE 802.11ac WI-FI access point with six local or remote antennas
• An 8-Core Server
• 1 TB Solid-State Storage
• Multimedia Streaming to all Cabin
• Browser-based access without any need for downloading additional applications
• Support for virtually any Satcom and 3G/4G Internet modem
• ARINC 429 interface (for flight data)
• ARINC 628/RS485 transceiver
• RS232/CAN bus support for other cabin interfaces and remote control

Each WAvES CELL supports up to 96 simultaneous Wi-Fi media streams. The company told IFExpress that WAvES works with BYOD, as well as, embedded seat-back units, and cabin monitors – and any configuration combination of the aforementioned. A full ARINC628 compatible Passenger Service System (PSS) is also available for wide-body aircraft and can be controlled from embedded PCUs, seat-back monitors and even passenger devices if requested.

As of 2019 “Northern Avionics proudly announced the Industry-First wireless PCU and PSS system for wide-body aircrafts. The PCUs have a battery life lasting for several years on end and require absolutely no wires in the cabin. This means a dramatic reduction in costs, weight and ground time for installation.”

WAvES is EASA and FAA certified and is in service on major airlines on B767 as well as other aircraft types. The company told us that these certifications can be readily extended to other aircraft types thanks to Northern Avionics EASA Part 21J (DOA) and 21G (POA) certifications. WAvES can be deployed with Northern Avionics software as well as with other proprietary interfaces, e.g. from the existing airline content provider. Since 2017 Northern Avionics is proud to announce that WAvES is fully compatible with In-Flight Dublin Everhub UI software including full PSS support.

Northern Avionics was founded in 1993 at Linate Airport with the aim of providing the best support for their customers in terms of avionics development, customization, installation and retrofit. Over the years they have continuously been expanding their range of competences and EASA certifications to become one of the most prominent service stations in Italy and Europe for all types of airplanes and helicopters.

Today Northern Avionics offers an entire line of avionics parts and modules for a broad range of In-Flight Entertainment and Cabin Management System requirements that can be tailored to each customer specifications.

Here is a block diagram of their WAvES system.

For more information log onto www.northern-avionics.com

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ASTRONICS
Astronics Corporation, a provider of advanced technologies for global aerospace, defense, and other mission critical industries, announced the release of the new ME1000 family of mPCIe avionics interface cards for embedded aerospace applications. The ME1000 provides the highest amount of 1553 I/O in the compact mPCIe form-factor and is the only line to offer a concurrent RS-422/485 serial interface. The ME1000 is a new mPCIe card designed and built by Astronics Ballard Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of Astronics Corporation. These rugged cards interface with MIL-STD-1553 databuses and enable host devices, such as small form factor mission computers, to reliably communicate with and monitor avionics equipment.

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IFPL
A couple issues back we noted the new COO, Neil McGregor and the retirement of Tim Young. At the time, we did not have an image of Neil but now we do – and you do too!

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THALES
Thales has acquired the artificial intelligence (AI) company Psibernetix to help create Certifiable AI. Originally made famous by its aerial combat application called ALPHA, which consistently defeated the world’s top pilots in simulated air combat, Psibernetix is a pioneer in computationally efficient AI technologies.

For Thales, the acquisition will establish explainable AI processes for applications in safety-critical environments. With explainable AI-driven outcomes, AI applications can be certified and trusted. Together, this further enables the widespread adoption of AI capabilities across Thales’ markets.

Through a machine-learning algorithmic process invented by Psibernetix, called Genetic Fuzzy Trees, AI decisions are able to be mathematically verified and validated through a unique constraint- breaking approach that applies fuzzy logic-based AI to large-scale problems. This process also creates AI applications that can be placed on edge processing devices and be extremely resilient to digital noise, environmental uncertainties, and randomness.

This acquisition of Psibernetix continues to help Thales bring truly unique and differentiating AI technologies to its customers for critical decisions – whatever it takes.

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AIRBUS
At the Paris Air Show 2019, Le Bourget, Airbus SE will present a broad portfolio of innovative products, technologies and services which meet the aerospace industry’s requirements for today and into the future. This year Paris is also the stage to celebrate Airbus’ 50 years of pioneering progress which created a string of world aerospace firsts to drive the industry’s transformation. In the flying and static displays at the show, Airbus will demonstrate its modern and highly efficient range of commercial aircraft. The daily flying display will include Airbus’ long-range leaders including the A350-1000 flagship – the world’s most efficient large widebody, and the A330neo which offers double-digit fuelburn improvements over its predecessor. Towards the end of the week and on the weekend, a Hi-Fly A380 will also be in the flying display.

The static display will feature an airBaltic A220-300 and an A330neo flight-test aircraft. In addition, on Tuesday 18 June the first A321neo single-aisle aircraft destined for La Compagnie will showcase its all-business class cabin with 76 full-flat seats on transatlantic flights. Also present in the static display will be the “Vahana” – Airbus’ single-passenger (or cargo), all-electric, fully-autonomous, vertical-takeoff-and landing demonstrator. At this year’s show, there is also a dedicated “Services Centre” mini-pavilion, where visitors meet experts to learn more about how Airbus’ global commercial aftermarket presence, powered by Skywise, can efficiently support airline and MRO operations.

Inside the main Airbus Pavilion, interactive ‘bubble’ displays will present various key themes:

• ‘Future of Flight’ display will show how Airbus is further improving its portfolio and changing the future of mobility with aircraft such as the single-aisle A220, A321LR, A330neo, and A350 XWB; It will also feature the H160 helicopter, air mobility initiatives such as Vahana and CityAirbus, and the E-Fan X ‘hybrid-electric’ flight demonstration project.
• The second bubble ‘From Data to Insight’ will showcase Airbus’ vision for defense and security including the Future Air Power family of connected systems. This zone will demonstrate how Airbus is harnessing the power of data through digitalization initiatives such as the Skywise and Smartforce analytics platforms.
• It will also feature the increasing role that space-based solutions such as the environmental monitoring program Copernicus.
• The next display area, “A Safer World” features Airbus’ Military aircraft programmes such as the Eurofighter and A400M, the secure “Network for the Sky” airborne communications solution, the VSR700 unmanned reconnaissance helicopter, and cyber-security initiatives.
• A fourth zone will focus on “Space”, featuring various animated holographic space scenarios including “Pleiades Neo”, “ArrOW platform”, “Eurostar Neo”, “Moon Cruiser”, and “BepiColombo” Mercury exploration. In addition, visitors to the pavilion can experience in full 3D virtual-reality how Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) digital air traffic management will address the way airspace is configured, to enable safe incorporation of new types of vehicles, such as autonomous ones, into our airspace.

On another front, Airbus booked an order for one ACJ320neo corporate jetliner in May and delivered 81 aircraft from all members of its in-production jetliner product line during the month, which were received by 49 customers. The ACJ320neo acquisition was by an undisclosed customer – bringing overall bookings for NEO versions of the A319/A320/A321 Family to 6,505. Overall sales for the Airbus A320 Family of jetliners totaled 14,640 at the end of May.

Single-aisle aircraft deliveries during May involved four A220s and 57 A320 Family jetliners (of which 47 were NEO versions). For its wide-body aircraft, Airbus delivered five A330s (of which three were in the NEO configuration) and 13 A350 XWBs in the A350-900/A350-1000 versions, along with two A380s. Among the notable deliveries in May was the first A330-900 provided to Delta Air Lines – positioning this U.S.-based carrier as an operator of Airbus’ two newest wide-body aircraft: the A330neo and A350 XWB. Also during the month, Airbus delivered the initial A321neo jetliner versions (see this week’s rectangle) for Air Transat (via the AerCap leasing company); Lufthansa; and La Compagnie (via GECAS), for this exclusively business-class French airline operating scheduled transatlantic flights. Taking the latest orders and deliveries into account, Airbus’ backlog of jetliners remaining to be delivered as of 31 May stood at 7,207 aircraft. This total was composed of 464 A220s; 5,795 A320 Family jetliners; 280 A330s; 615 A350 XWBs and 53 A380s.

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BOEING

• Boeing released its 2019 Global Environment Report, highlighting how the company is building cleaner, more fuel-efficient airplanes and finding innovative ways to recycle and conserve resources. In 2018, Boeing unveiled its new environment strategy through 2025 with ambitious goals to innovate products for environmental performance, reduce emissions, waste, and water and energy consumption at work sites, and to work with communities around the globe. “We are committed to cleaner water, air and land, and this report highlights the wide range of efforts surrounding Boeing’s environmental stewardship around the globe,” said Bryan Scott, vice president of Environment, Health & Safety.
  Highlights of the report include:Partnering with a UK-based recycler to keep up to 2 million pounds of excess carbon fiber from Boeing factories out of landfills per year, Using renewable energy to power Boeing’s primary data center, saving enough electricity to power more than 4,000 homes annually, Working with Etihad Airways to fly a 787 Dreamliner powered partly by biofuel made from desert plants irrigated with seawater, Designing new energy-efficient facilities around the world, including the 737 Completion and Delivery Center in Zhoushan, China, and the fabrication facility in Sheffield, UK, Catalyzing development of sustainable aviation fuel and offering customers the option of using biofuel on delivery flights, Surpassing 2018 targets, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 7.3 percent at work sites.
• Paris Air Show – Boeing will showcase its broad range of commercial and defense products, services and technologies at the 2019 Paris Air Show, which runs June 17-23 at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. The company’s presence and activities at the show will demonstrate its commitment to innovation, industry partnerships and safety. At Boeing’s exhibit, visitors can immerse themselves in a large 360-degree theater and learn more about the company’s capabilities throughout the product lifecycle. The interactive exhibit will also highlight Boeing’s latest family of aircraft and services and give visitors a first look at the company’s vision for the future of mobility. The exhibit will be located in Static Display C2. On the airfield, an Air Tahiti Nui 787-9 will demonstrate the breakthrough capabilities and innovations that have made the 787 a favorite of both operators and customers. A 737 Boeing Converted Freighter and passenger air vehicle (PAV) will be on static display. The U.S. Department of Defense also will display several Boeing platforms, including the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, the F-15 fighter, the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and the international air show debut of the KC-46 tanker. Boeing will hold a series of news briefings for media during the show. Media attending the show should check the daily briefing schedule for updates at the Boeing Media Chalet (A332).

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OTHER NEWS

• An interesting US visa rule will require submittal of social media activities, and no, we are not kidding – US Now Requiring Visa Applicants to Provide Social Media Details
• OK, this is flying, at least for a 5 lb. package some 50 miles – the Amazon drone model looks interesting! (109) Amazon Prime Air’s New Delivery Drone – YouTube
• Confused about TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, CLEAR, and other travels services? Speed Up Your Airport Experience with TSA PreCheck and Related Services – LifeSavvy
• If you are interested in Boeing efforts into environmental world, there is a website for that: Boeing: Environment
• You can’t put the genie back in the bottle – AI future: Preparing for a future with Artificial Intelligence: Great and funny video with Robin Winsor – CTOvision.com
• WestJet’s Flight Light has been designed to let kids watch their parents flights in real-time and show them how close they are to arriving home. Watch the Aircraft Interiors video!! WestJet technology keeps kids and parents in contact – Aircraft Interiors International We note that the company says: “A prototype of the Flight Light has been created and beta testing is scheduled to begin later this year.”
• You are going to need this data point to schmooze at the next tekkie social event you attend! What if we told you that all today’s solar panels have a key flaw that drops efficiency by 2%, and the flaw has just been discovered? After 40 Years of Searching, Scientists Identify The Key Flaw in Solar Panel Efficiency
• For the last few months, or so, we have been watching a great series of auto shows on YouTube (US), and frankly, we thought our readers would find them interesting, useful, and just plain car-understandable. However, the shows just didn’t speak about aviation/travel so we have been hesitant to link them. Now, Scotty Kilmer, the edgy show speaker and developer, has a video about rental cars and advice about traveling in them. So, here is the show link, but understand that if you are “involved” with your automobiles – this video and a lot of other auto related good advice shows – are for you! Another suggestion: If you own a Mercedes or a Ferrari, you probably don’t want to watch those shows!!! (109) The Truth About Rental Cars – YouTube

Hong Kong | June 11, 2019–Hong Kong business aviation consulting firm Asian Sky Group (ASG) has concluded its work as Inspection & Acquisition Consultant and Completion Manager for an Asia-based client on an ultra-long-range, wide-body VIP ACJ330 aircraft. This marks the second ACJ330 completion project for ASG.

“The project was particularly challenging due to the status of the aircraft at the start and the compressed timeline for completion,” says ASG Managing Director, Jeffrey Lowe. “ASG’s benefit to the client was its ability to provide from a single source all the necessary services to complete the project, which included representing the client with the completion center to overseeing matters of engineering and certification.”

ASG provided support to the client throughout the nine-month completion process. This support began in the initial stages, with ASG appointed Inspection and Acquisition Specialist assisting on the negotiation and execution of the aircraft purchase agreement and the technical inspection of the aircraft. ASG was then appointed Completion Manager, overseeing the installation of the cabin and exterior painting, a review of the records, as well as maintenance management. ASG had a team of specialists on-site to oversee the project daily, ensuring quality work, fit and finish.

Following the delivery of the ACJ330, ASG has commenced its next completion management project for an Asia-based ACJ320 Neo.