ONEWEB

OneWeb, the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, confirmed the next successful launch of 36 satellites by Arianespace from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. This launch brings OneWeb a step closer to completing its ‘Five to 50’ ambition and the start of commercial service by the end of the year.

Liftoff occurred on 28 May at 18:38 BST. OneWeb’s satellites separated from the rocket and were dispensed in nine batches over a period of 3 hours 52 minutes with signal acquisition on all 36 satellites confirmed.

This latest successful launch brings OneWeb’s total in-orbit constellation to 218 satellites. These will form part of OneWeb’s 648 LEO satellite fleet that will deliver high-speed, low-latency global connectivity. There is now only one launch to go until the company has the satellites required to enable its connectivity solution to reach all regions north of 50 degrees latitude by June 2021.

OneWeb’s satellites are built by OneWeb Satellites, a OneWeb and Airbus joint venture facility on Merritt Island, Florida that can produce two satellites a day with an innovative production-line process. Thanks to this advanced manufacturing capability, OneWeb is able to rapidly and reliably build its first-generation fleet for completion of delivery into orbit by mid-2022. With this launch, our Florida team can be proud of the 220 satellites it has built and orbited to date.

This launch represents the fourth in a five-launch program to fulfill the ‘Five to 50’ service, enabling OneWeb to offer connectivity across the United Kingdom, Alaska, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic Seas and Canada. This service is expected to be switched on before the end of the year and OneWeb intends to make global service available in 2022.

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THALES

Thales and Venture Capital funded start-up Airspace Link are partnering to integrate ground risk data from state and local governments, such as the location of schools, power lines and firework displays, with air risk data from air traffic control systems, enabling communities to manage the safe use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into their airspace, while respecting privacy and quality of life.

Airspace Link complements Thales’ expertise in airspace management and systems integration with the geospatial intelligence to support operations where a UAS is out of an operator’s visual range.

Thales has also become a minority investor with Airspace Link to continue to innovate in the evolving area of UAS traffic management.
Thales and geospatial information management company Airspace Link will provide safe integration of UAS, commonly known as drones, into low altitude airspace where the systems are Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) of operators. With aviation, community and topographical data for the most accurate situational awareness, UAS operators can quickly and easily file for and receive flight plan authorization.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) forecasts that by 2024, commercial UAS operations will grow 60% – from approximately 500,000 to more than 800,000. Globally, analysts project UAS market to reach 2.91 million systems by 2023. To support the air traffic management challenge of commercial UAS operations, a strong combination of expertise is required. Thales has deep aviation systems integration experience and market knowledge, with 400 airspace management deployments around the world. Airspace Link, led by veterans of geospatial technologies with over 60 years’ of experience, has extensive geospatial information management expertise.

Formalizing this partnership will broaden Thales’ robust air traffic management system portfolio and further expand its global market footprint. As an FAA approved UAS service supplier of the Low Altitude Authorization & Notification Capability (LAANC), Thales is supporting UAS traffic management across the U.S. in areas such as New York state. Further, internationally, Thales is providing UAS traffic management for organizations such as the French air traffic management organization, Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne.

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BOEING

Next month, Greenwood Rising, the world-class history center built to remember the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, will open for a special ten day preview event for family members, descendants and residents of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The space is dedicated to educating visitors about historic Greenwood before, during and after one of the worst race massacres in American history. In addition to engaging exhibits, Greenwood Rising will host and coordinate many events to educate the public about its history and engage people in a conversation about reconciliation and racial justice. Greenwood Rising will open to the general public in early July.

As one of the first corporate partners for Greenwood Rising, The Boeing Company is investing $500,000 to support two of the center’s key programs through 2026: The Youth Race & Leadership Forum and the Greenwood Rising XR Learning platform.

The second program funded by Boeing is the annual Youth Race & Leadership Forum, a partnership with the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice (OCCJ) during which students learn about race and how they can advocate for positive change for themselves and their communities.

Boeing funding will also enable this program to expand internationally, enabling students to travel to Tulsa for this annual event.

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OTHER NEWS

• In case you had not heard, Aerion, the potential builder of the next generation jet, has closed down … and yes, Boeing has some assets in the company! Shock closure of supersonic jet developer Aerion | Business Jet Interiors & Boeing-backed supersonic jet developer Aerion shuts down | The Seattle Times
• The folks at TNMT have some interesting results of airline checkin: “A survey of 850 highly-active AirlineCheckins.com users identified the aspects they found particularly stressful about the standard check-in process. The following infographic gives an overview of the most important pain points as well as other relevant insights relating to the check-in.” Here is the link to the very interesting info – The current state of the airline online check-in – TNMT
• JetBlue has just rolled out a “Mint” flight experience on their transatlantic flights. The Airbus A321 has 24 private suites, even some with sliding doors for privacy! Check out the article because they say, “Each aircraft will have two Mint Studios in the first row, providing ample room for working or relaxing, and featuring a 22-inch tilting Thales AVANT seatback screen” Check out the interior: Jetblue Just Unveiled Massive New In-sky Suites for Transatlantic Flights | Travel + Leisure
• Advertising and aviation … sorta! Advertising of the Future: Drones Light Up The Sky With Scannable QR Code – My Daily Discovery
• Here is a good video on the future of aviation transform using electric engines and batteries – How Battery and Electric Motor Tech Is Transforming Aviation – FutureFlight – YouTube – Thanks Allplane!
• An IATA prediction noted that worldwide passenger increases in 2021 to be 52% prior to Covid-19 infection. Next year (2022) the numbers increase an 88% over 2019. Further, 2023 will be a 105% passenger increase over 2019. All around, they say, it will take 2 to 3 years to get back to normal. IATA – Home

January 2021– Boeing and FedEx Express today announced a new order for 12 767 Freighters and 12 777 Freighters as the world’s largest air cargo carrier continues to invest in the industry’s most capable freighters to better serve its customers.

“We are taking another positive step in our fleet modernization program as we add more efficient, lower emission aircraft to our global fleet,” said David L. Cunningham, President and CEO of FedEx Express. “The Boeing 767 and 777 Freighters have brought greater efficiency and reliability to our air operations. The 777, with its tremendous range characteristics, has allowed us to provide faster transit times around the globe. We are excited to add more of these aircraft to our fleet.”

The new airplanes, valued at $6.6 billion at list prices, will appear on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries webpage once contingencies have been met.

This order comes as the air cargo industry continues to gather strength. A year after demand grew by nearly 10 percent, global air freight is on track to increase by another four to five percent in 2018.

Air cargo carriers are adding capacity to keep up with demand, either by converting passenger airplanes into freighters or ordering new production cargo jets. With the latest order from FedEx Express, Boeing has sold more than 50 widebody freighters in 2018.

“We are honored that FedEx has again placed its trust on the wings of the Boeing 767 and 777. This repeat order is a big vote of confidence in Boeing’s market-leading freighter family and the long-term outlook for air freight,” said Kevin McAllister, president and chief executive officer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

FedEx Express and Boeing have a long-standing partnership. The express carrier is a major operator of the Boeing 757 Freighter and the largest operator of the 767 Freighter and 777 Freighter. FedEx is also a customer of Boeing’s Global Services business.

Thales, Nokia and SkyFive

Following successful rollout across Europe, Thales in the UK, Nokia and SkyFive are launching a new 4G LTE Air to Ground (A2G) solution to a global market. Delivering a fibre like connectivity experience, A2G significantly improves the inflight access to web, streaming and on-line games to passengers. In addition to improved passenger experiences, aircraft operators will benefit from significantly shortened installation times, minimizing the time aircraft are out of operation.

Improved connectivity, enhanced experience

Offering seamless connectivity with speeds up to 100Mbps and latency of less than 50ms, this 4G LTE solution connects aircraft to high-speed Wi-Fi from the ground up. Utilizing existing 4G technology, A2G connects aircrafts with the nearest purpose-built on-ground towers, seamlessly handing over between masts mid-flight to create consistently fast 4G connectivity throughout journeys. The high speeds and reduced latency are achieved through the impressive 4G LTE performance, combined with the short distances between the aircraft and towers, which are densely grouped to prevent aircrafts sharing bandwidth. The network’s design also means A2G has greater capacity per km2 than current satellites.

Aboard A2G enabled aircraft, the experience for passengers will be comparable to using a 4G mobile phone service on the ground. The easy-to-access connection will make it possible for passengers to make uninterrupted video-conferencing calls, watch live TV or stream the latest series in HD from their own handset.

Easy installation, savings for airlines

As the aviation sector emerges from its biggest challenge yet, A2G presents an opportunity for carriers to make significant savings, improve customer experiences and increase ancillary revenues. Compared with SATCOM systems, the compact nature of the 4G antenna reduces CO2 emissions and cuts installation times down to just 12 hours, meaning aircraft spend less time out of operation while technology is installed.

Once installed, new 4G enabled in-flight capabilities will create an aircraft environment for an Internet of Things in which operational efficiencies such as engine offload data can be viewed in real time, customer experience can be measured and targeted advertising can be introduced. Better connectivity can also support the facilitation of new COVID-19 safety protocols as they are implemented.

Collaborating to create a safe, global network

The technology is being rolled out in regions around the world where domestic and international carriers will be able to use the 4G masts on land. It has been developed through a collaborative partnership with Thales providing the onboard terminal (modem+RF) and antenna; Nokia responsible for on-ground infrastructure and SkyFive’s patented software algorithms ensuring that aircraft can reliably connect at high speeds, high altitudes and across long ranges. With 30 years of experience in connecting airlines and proven European Aviation Network success, Thales has leveraged its expertise to ensure the benefits of the faster speeds do not come at the expense of a secure platform.

Andy Humphries, Managing Director, Flight Avionics at Thales in the UK, commented: “For airlines, passenger connectivity and operational efficiency have been strategic imperatives in the past and are even more pronounced in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. At Thales, we have used our expertise to deliver proven fast and reliable aircraft hardware and software solutions underpinned by a robust worldwide support network. Combined with SkyFive’s specialism in A2G services and Nokia’s mobile network infrastructure, the project will bring industry disrupting performance for passengers and airlines alike, with reliable Wi-Fi and low transmission latency delivered with low upfront investment and operational costs. We believe A2G will help to expedite the recovery of the sector by transforming the air travel experience while reducing costs as people start flying again.”

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Air Travel Consumer Report: July 2020 Numbers

The U.S. Department of Transportation on October 23, 2020 released its September 2020 Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on reporting marketing and operating air carrier data compiled for the month of July 2020.  The full consumer report and other aviation consumer matters of interest to the public can be found at http://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency has resulted in significant changes to airline schedules and operations, contributing to airlines’ on-time performance and cancellation statistics in July 2020.

The 10 marketing network carriers reported 370,859 scheduled domestic flights in July 2020 compared to 237,264 flights in June 2020 and 717,684 flights in July 2019. Of those 370,859 scheduled flights, 0.8%, 2,926 flights, were canceled. As a result of schedule reductions and cancellations, the carriers reported operating 367,933 flights in July 2020, compared to 236,234 flights in June 2020, the all-time monthly low of 180,151 flights in May 2020 and 194,390 flights in April 2020.

A flight is listed as canceled if it was listed in a carrier’s computer reservation system during the seven calendar days prior to scheduled departure but was not operated.  Canceled flights are included in calculations of on-time arrival performance.

July On-Time Performance

In July 2020, reporting marketing carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 90.5%, down from the 92.7% on-time rate in June 2020 but up from the 76.9% rate in July 2019.  See July Data Spotlight for scheduled, canceled, and operated flights by marketing network by month.
Highest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates July 2020 (ATCR Table 1)

1.    Southwest Airlines – 94.5%
2.    Alaska Airlines Network – 92.5%
3.    Hawaiian Airlines Network – 91.7%

Lowest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates July 2020 (ATCR Table 1)

1.    JetBlue Airways – 85.4%
2.    Allegiant Air – 85.5%
3.    Frontier Airlines – 87.0%

July Cancellations

In July 2020, reporting marketing carriers canceled 0.8% of their scheduled domestic flights, a higher rate than 0.4% in June 2020 but a lower rate than 2.1% in July 2019.

Lowest Marketing Carrier Rates of Canceled Flights July 2020 (ATCR Table 6)

1.    Spirit Airlines – 0.1%
2.    American Airlines Network – 0.6%
3.    Southwest Airlines – 0.7%

Highest Marketing Carrier Rates of Canceled Flights July 2020 (ATCR Table 6)

1.    Hawaiian Airlines Network – 4.1%
2.    Frontier Airlines – 3.2%
3.    JetBlue Airways – 2.8%

Tarmac Delays

In July 2020, airlines reported 39 tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights, compared to no tarmac delays reported in June 2020 and 58 tarmac delays reported in July 2019.  In July 2020, airlines reported no tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights, compared to no tarmac delays reported in June 2020 and three tarmac delays in July 2019.  Extended tarmac delays are investigated by the Department.

July Domestic Flights with Longest Tarmac Delays Exceeding Three Hours (ATCR Table 8)

1. American Airlines flight 4912 (operated by Piedmont Airlines) from Mobile, Ala. (MOB) to Charlotte, N.C. (CLT) 7/21/20 – delayed 4 hours and 51 minutes on the tarmac at Charlotte
2. American Airlines flight 3862 (operated by Envoy Air) from Charlottesville, Va. (CHO) to Charlotte, N.C. (CLT) 7/21/20 – delayed 4 hours and 40 minutes on the tarmac at Charlotte
3. American Airlines flight 5075 (operated by PSA Airlines) from Syracuse, N.Y. (SYR) to Charlotte, N.C. (CLT) 7/21/20 – delayed 4 hours and 36 minutes on the tarmac at Charlotte

July International Flights with Longest Tarmac Delays Exceeding Four Hours (ATCR Table 8A)

There were no tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights in July.

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This Is A Big Deal and a Great Article!

“Specifically, FAA has not assessed its oversight program to determine the priority of avionics cybersecurity risks, developed an avionics cybersecurity training program, issued guidance for independent cybersecurity testing, or included periodic testing as part of its monitoring process,” GAO said in the report.

Another key finding in the report is more guidance on independent testing to be integrated into the way the agency certifies new airplanes. GAO’s six recommendations include the following:
Here are the recommendations:

• Identify the “relative priority of avionics cybersecurity risks compared to other safety concerns and develop a plan to address those risks.”
• Implement new training for agency inspectors “specific to avionics cybersecurity.”
• Include independent testing in new guidance for avionics cybersecurity testing of new airplane designs
• Develop procedures for “safely conducting independent testing” of avionics cybersecurity controls in the deployed fleet
• Coordinate a tracking mechanism for ensuring avionics cybersecurity issues are resolved among “internal stakeholders.”
• Review oversight resources the agency has currently committed to avionics cybersecurity.

This is a good article: GAO Report Says Airlines Need New Cybersecurity Testing Policy for Avionics Systems – Aviation Today

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Boeing

Check out this link for a very good ‘big picture’ of Boeing, especially the top executive and it also includes the recent additions.

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Other News

• Check out this link for some engineering innovations!
• I thought I knew how jet engines work. Guess what? I didn’t!!
  How A Jet Engine Starts – YouTube
• Here is a great article on the future of audio technology and the gains based on the new technology – “In recent years, we’ve seen the rise of spatial audio, Apple AirPods, digital walkie talkies, audio-based meditation and mindfulness services like Headspace (I’m an investor), and social audio experiences like Discord and Clubhouse. And this is what makes audio such a great category in 2020 – it’s not just growing faster than it has in decades, it’s diversifying and changing faster too. The cause: technology” Audio’s Opportunity and Who Will Capture It — MatthewBall.vc
• Need some AirPods – which is best? – AirPods Pro versus Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Which is the best true wireless headphones? | AppleInsider

This week there has been a lot of news about the aviation market forecast.

Boeing Forecasts Challenging Near-Term Aerospace Market with Resilience in Long Term

• Near-term industry challenges impact demand for commercial airplanes and services
• Over 10 years, Boeing Market Outlook shows resilient $8.5 trillion total market

Boeing (10/6/20) released its annual forecast for the commercial and defense aerospace market, reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Boeing’s view of near-, medium- and long-term market dynamics. The 2020 Boeing Market Outlook (BMO) projects that the commercial aviation and services markets will continue to face significant challenges due to the pandemic, while global defense and government services markets remain more stable.

“While this year has been unprecedented in terms of its disruption to our industry, we believe that aerospace and defense will overcome these near-term challenges, return to stability and emerge with strength,” said Boeing Chief Strategy Officer Marc Allen.

The BMO forecasts a total market value of $8.5 trillion over the next decade including demand for aerospace products and services. The forecast is down from $8.7 trillion a year ago due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Airlines globally have begun to recover from a greater than 90% decline in passenger traffic and revenue early this year, but a full recovery will take years, according to the outlook.

The 2020 Boeing Market Outlook includes projected demand for 18,350 commercial airplanes in the next decade – 11% lower than the comparable 2019 forecast – valued at about $2.9 trillion. In the longer term, with key industry drivers expected to remain stable, the commercial fleet is forecasted to return to its growth trend, generating demand for more than 43,000 new airplanes in the 20-year forecast time period.

The BMO also projects a $2.6 trillion market opportunity for defense and space during the next decade. This spending projection reflects the ongoing importance of military aircraft, autonomous systems, satellites, spacecraft and other products to national and international defense. This demand continues to be global in nature with 40 percent of expenditures expected to originate outside of the United States.
While near-term commercial services demand is lower, the BMO forecasts a $3 trillion market opportunity for commercial and government services through 2029, with digital solutions emerging as a critical enabler as customers focus on leaner operations to adjust to future market demand. Life cycle services and support will help customers scale their operations to meet efficiency and cost objectives aligned to market recovery trends.

As the impact of the pandemic continues, Boeing is taking action to reshape its business operations to adapt to the new market reality and become more resilient for the long term. This business transformation includes every element of Boeing’s enterprise, including infrastructure, overhead and organization, portfolio and investments, supply chain health and operational excellence.

Also released today, the 2020 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), an annual 20-year forecast addressing the market for commercial airplanes and services, projects an increase in the share of deliveries replacing older passenger aircraft that are being retired in an accelerated replacement cycle, especially in the first decade.

“Commercial aviation is facing historic challenges this year, significantly affecting near- and medium-term demand for airplanes and services,” said Darren Hulst, vice president, Commercial Marketing. “Yet history has also proven air travel to be resilient time and again. The current disruption will inform airline fleet strategies long into the future, as airlines focus on building versatile fleets, networks and business model innovations that deliver the most capability and greatest efficiency at the lowest risk for sustainable growth.”

The commercial forecast includes:

• Over the next 20 years, passenger traffic growth is projected to increase by an average of 4% per year.
• The global commercial fleet is expected to reach 48,400 by 2039, up from 25,900 airplanes today. During this period, Asia will continue to expand its share of the world’s fleet, accounting for nearly 40% of the fleet compared to about 30% today.
• Single-aisle airplanes such as the 737 MAX will continue to be the largest market segment, with operators projected to need 32,270 new airplanes in the next 20 years. Single-aisle demand will recover sooner due to its key role in short-haul routes and domestic markets as well as passenger preference for point-to-point service.
• In the widebody market, Boeing forecasts demand for 7,480 new passenger airplanes by 2039. Widebody demand will be affected by a slower recovery in long-haul markets – typical after air-travel shocks – as well as uncertainties from COVID-19’s impact on international travel.
• Air cargo demand, a relative bright spot in 2020, is expected to grow 4% annually and generate further demand for 930 new widebody production freighters and 1,500 converted freighters over the forecast period.

Airplane demand, 2020-2039
Airplane type
Seats
Total deliveries
Regional jets
90 and below
2,430
Single-aisle
90 and above
32,270
Widebody

7,480
Freighter widebody
———
930
Total
———
43,110

The global airplane fleet will continue to generate demand for aviation services, including parts and supply chain; engineering, modifications and maintenance; training and professional services; and digital solutions and analytics. The served market for commercial services is valued at $1.6 trillion, and $1.4 trillion for government services.
“Boeing is focused on making sure that the right services solutions are available to help our customers and industry navigate the downturn and scale their operations accordingly as near-term demand trends upward. For example, low-cost digital solutions can help manage some of the most critical and dynamic aspects of operations, such as crew scheduling,” said Eric Strafel, vice president, Boeing Global Services Strategy.

Around the world, the long-term need for commercial pilots, maintenance technicians and cabin crew remains robust. Boeing’s 2020 Pilot and Technician Outlook forecasts that the civil aviation industry will need nearly 2.4 million new aviation personnel between now and 2039.

The Commercial Market Outlook is the longest-running jet forecast and is regarded as the most comprehensive analysis of the commercial aviation industry. The CMO and other Boeing market forecasts can be found at https://www.boeing.com/market.

More from Boeing:

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines recently launched their 40th humanitarian delivery flight when the airline’s new 787-9 Dreamliner departed Everett, Wash., carrying more than 20,000 pounds of humanitarian supplies. The shipment, including supplies for health care and family needs, will be distributed to hospitals, clinics and charities in the Addis Ababa region.

“Ethiopian Airlines has been deeply involved in transporting critical COVID-19 supplies to support communities during these difficult and challenging times,” said Kagnew F. Asfaw, vice president ET Holidays & Digital Sales, Ethiopian Airlines. “Building on our history of collaboration in humanitarian flights, we are partnering with Boeing to bring home health care supplies. We would like to thank the Ethiopian community and several organizations in Seattle for their generosity and support for Ethiopian communities across the world during the global pandemic.”

“We are honored that Boeing is able to assist customers like Ethiopian Airlines as they transport critical medical supplies and support their local communities through the Humanitarian Delivery Fight program, especially during a challenge as significant as the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Cheri Carter, vice president of Boeing Global Engagement. “We are grateful to Ethiopian Airlines for their enduring commitment to the Humanitarian Delivery Program.”
Humanitarian supplies on the flight were provided by three charitable partners in Seattle: Resolute Health Outreach (RHO), the Ethiopian National COVID-19 Response Task Force of Seattle and Embuaa Family. They contributed supplies ranging from face masks, wipes and sterile gloves to exam tables, bassinets, medicine and more.

“Over the past 10 years, RHO has donated 200 tons of medical equipment to Ethiopia,” said Dr. Richard Solazzi, board chair at Resolute Health Outreach. “This would not be possible without the help and cooperation of Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing. We are grateful for their commitment to this humanitarian project.”

The Ethiopian National COVID-19 Response Task Force is led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, in partnership with Ethiopian embassies and diaspora communities around the world. “After COVID-19 came to Ethiopia, the Ethiopian community in the U.S. decided we needed to do something,” said Pastor Berhanu Waldemariam, chairman of the Seattle branch of the Ethiopian National COVID-19 Response Task Force. “We have collected these items and hospital equipment to help the Ethiopian government and people stay connected through partners such as Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing.”
Some of the medical supplies, clothing and hygiene products will be provided to the Mary Joy Foundation, which helps women and youth access skills and training to rise out of poverty. “Even during the COVID-19 crisis, it amazes me that people never shy away from helping others in need,” said Sister Zebider Zewdie, CEO of the Mary Joy Foundation. “This medical equipment will save countless lives and help people protect themselves from disease.”

The Humanitarian Delivery Flight Program was launched in 1992 as a collaboration between Boeing and its customers to transport humanitarian supplies assistance around the world on newly delivered airplanes with otherwise empty cargo holds. To date, there have been over 200 humanitarian delivery flights. More than 1.6 million pounds of critical supplies have been delivered since the start of the program.

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We understand IATA (International Air Transport Association) now predicts a 66% drop in traffic forecast (previously 63%) because of recent travel downcasts.

ATAG announced that the airline industry could loose 46 million jobs because of Covid-19 – 87.7 million jobs normally supported.

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OTHER NEWS

• OK, this is mentally challenging but the logic of Crypto understanding its implications of Crypto state are very scary, and, Bitcoin and Ethereum are a very big change. Why? Because crypto states would have power over nation states! The Crypto State? | City Journal
• Yes, the atomic motion of graphene can generate power: This is friggin cool! – Imgur
• The folks at Synthesis have a good starter on a series they are doing in the introduction of AI: “We begin a series devoted to a specific machine learning problem that is often supplemented by the use of synthetic data: object detection” – Object Detection with Synthetic Data I: Introduction to Object Detection – Synthesis AI

Saving aircraft fuel during the climb and cruise phases of a flight is a major opportunity to reduce aviation CO₂ emissions

Geneva | September 22, 2020– SITA, the global IT provider for the air transport industry, is partnering with start-up Safety Line to help pilots and airlines limit carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and operational costs by reducing fuel consumption of aircraft at key flight stages.

A flight can be roughly divided into three phases: climb, cruise and descent. Safety Line, a young French company that specializes in predictive big data solutions for airlines and airports, has made it its mission to help save aircraft fuel and reduce CO₂ emissions during all these flight phases with a software suite called OptiFlight. The focus currently lies on the climb-out – the most fuel-consuming phase of a flight – and the cruise phase.

Improving the cruise phase of a flight

Safety Line’s software solutions for the cruise phase, OptiSpeed, OptiDirect and OptiLevel, collectively called OptiCruise, have been integrated in SITA’s widely used eWAS Pilot mobile application, which is part of SITA FOR AIRCRAFT’s ‘Digital Day of Operations’ portfolio. eWAS Pilot, used by 50,000 pilots of commercial airlines, business jets and cargo airlines, provides accurate 4D weather forecasts and real-time updates from various sources to warn about weather hazards such as thunderstorms, lightning, clear air turbulence, strong winds, icing and even volcanic ash.

Safety Line’s OptiCruise allows pilots and airlines to achieve significant fuel savings and carbon emission reductions. OptiSpeed shows pilots the fuel and time impact of speed variations with the objective of on-time arrival at the best fuel/time ratio while OptiDirect recommends shortcuts based on historical flight data and indicates possible fuel and time savings. OptiLevel advises pilots on the best initial flight level and cruise level changes, taking tailwinds and headwinds into account.

 Improving the climb phase of a flight

As part of the new partnership and through the ‘Digital Day of Operations’ portfolio, SITA now also offers Safety Line’s OptiClimb software. OptiClimb uses tail-specific machine learning performance models in combination with 4D weather forecasts, to recommend customized speed changes at different altitudes for each climb. The software predicts fuel burn in tens of thousands of possible flight scenarios and then issues recommended climb speeds to pilots ahead of each flight.

Safety Line data shows that climb fuel savings of 5-6% are possible for each flight without affecting passenger safety or comfort. On a yearly basis, this could reduce CO₂ emissions by several thousands of tons and operational costs by several million dollars, depending on the size of the airline fleet. Safety Line estimates that 5.6 million tons of CO₂ could be avoided if all airlines in the world were to use OptiClimb.

Technology and industry collaboration for more sustainable aviation

Sébastien Fabre, CEO for SITA FOR AIRCRAFT said: “We at SITA continue to seek smarter ways to use existing and new technologies and collaborate with partners in the air transport industry with the goal of making airline operations more efficient and environmentally friendly. The partnership with Safety Line is another important step for us that will enable airlines to embrace the digital shift that is needed to reinvent the operation of aircraft. It is about adopting more sustainable and cost-effective practices.”

Sustainability and a sharp focus on cost-efficiency, along with safety and security will remain the top priorities for airlines in the COVID-19 era.

Pierre Jouniaux, Founder and CEO of Safety Line said: “We are delighted to partner with SITA, because pilots and airlines can now easily access our smart technology through SITA FOR AIRCRAFT’s ‘Digital Day of Operations’ portfolio and work towards more sustainable aviation. We look forward to delivering further innovation through this collaboration to save fuel and improve cost-efficiency at every stage of flight.”

SATCOM DIRECT

MySky, the only AI-powered spend management platform designed for the private aviation industry, and Satcom Direct (SD), the business aviation solutions provider, announced a strategic alliance enabling seamless access to real-time data for private aviation. Subscribers to MySky and SD will greatly benefit from an all-encompassing approach to aircraft management that combines operational and financial information into a single source of data, the SD Pro® platform.

Designed to bring transparency to the industry for the first time, MySky provides unrivaled access to financial data and proprietary IT tools that help owners and operators reduce costs, refine spending and improve the overall aircraft ownership experience. SD Pro, the digital management dashboard, provides relevant and timely information about pre- to- post flight aircraft performance to aircraft operators around the world. An open architecture platform, SD Pro adds value to the user experience through the integration of third-party suppliers. As a result of the integration with MySky, SD will add a financial component to its SD Pro platform.

The agreement between MySky and SD will allow for a full 360-degree approach to business aviation management, promoting a fiduciary duty among industry stakeholders. Through the SD Pro platform, aircraft operators will have direct access to financial and operational information from both MySky and SD. The integrated data can increase longevity of ownership and improve the overall ownership experience. The aggregated information enables better informed, proactive decisions in real-time, heightening control and efficiency. Rote tasks can be automated to increase productivity and reallocate valuable human resources.

“At MySky, our goal is to bring increased transparency and accountability to the private aviation industry by ensuring stakeholders have the necessary tools to better understand and manage the costs of their assets,” said Kirill Kim, co-founder and CEO of MySky. “By combining our industry-leading financial data with SD’s detailed operational information, I’m confident that this alliance will help stakeholders better navigate the long-time obstacles associated with private aviation management.”

“SD is dedicated to delivering advanced technological capabilities to our customers. With the integration of MySky into the SD Pro platform, we are adding a significant resource to the operational mix by providing a business management tool that complements our operations-focused products. We are excited to work closely with the MySky team to foster industry growth and long-term sustainability for our clients,” said Chris Moore, SD president of business aviation.

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BOEING

Boeing and Enter Air announced the Polish airline is expanding its commitment to the 737 family with a new order for two 737-8 airplanes plus options for two more jets.

An all-Boeing operator and Poland’s biggest charter carrier, Enter Air began operations in 2010 with a single 737 airplane. Today, the airline’s fleet includes 22 Next-Generation 737s and two 737 MAX airplanes. When the new purchase agreement is fully exercised, Enter Air’s 737 MAX fleet will rise to 10 aircraft.

“Despite the current crisis, it is important to think about the future. To that end, we have agreed to order additional 737-8 aircraft. Following the rigorous checks that the 737 MAX is undergoing, I am convinced it will be the best aircraft in the world for many years to come,” said Grzegorz Polaniecki, general director and board member, Enter Air.

Enter Air and Boeing also finalized a settlement to address the commercial impacts stemming from the grounding of the 737 MAX fleet. While the details of the agreement are confidential, the compensation will be provided in a number of forms and staggered over a period of time.

“In the settlement with Boeing, we agreed to revise the delivery schedule for the previously-ordered airplanes in response to current market conditions. The specific terms of the settlement are strictly confidential, but we are pleased with the way Boeing has treated us as its customer,” added Polaniecki.

“We are humbled by Enter Air’s commitment to the Boeing 737 family. Their order for additional 737-8s underscores their confidence in the airplane and the men and women of Boeing,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, The Boeing Company. “We look forward to building on our decade-long partnership with Enter Air and working with the airline to safely return their full 737 fleet to commercial service.”

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GOGO (Biz Jet Info)

Gogo Business Aviation has once again set a new standard for inflight connectivity with its AVANCE L5 system now installed and flying on 1,000 business jets.

It’s a milestone Gogo reached in less than three years following the first installation, making it the most successful adoption of any high-speed broadband inflight connectivity system in business aviation history. In addition to the 1,000 L5 installations, Gogo is nearing 450 installations for the AVANCE L3 system. Combined, the nearly 1,500 AVANCE system installations highlights Gogo’s leadership in inflight connectivity in business aviation.

“Our team hit it out of the park with both the AVANCE L5 and L3 systems,” said Sergio Aguirre, president of Gogo Business Aviation. “And what’s so exciting to me is that we still have so much opportunity ahead of us.”

The Gogo AVANCE L5 delivers a 4G experience to business aircraft of all types and sizes, from light jets to the largest global business jets, and provides the easiest and most economical upgrade path to Gogo 5G when it launches. From the time AVANCE L5 launched in the fourth quarter of 2017, more than 325,000 flights have taken off with the system onboard, flying more than 420,000 hours and 211 million miles, and users consuming 150 million megabytes of data.

“We couldn’t have achieved this milestone without the great partnerships we’ve built over more than 25 years with the market-leading business jet manufacturers, our dealers, and charter and fractional operators,” Aguirre said. “Even during the COVID-19 pandemic that has had such a dramatic impact on all of aviation, we continued to see a healthy demand from the market for our AVANCE systems.”

Gogo and its OEM partners and dealers have also experienced substantial adoption of both AVANCE L5 and L3 on a retrofit basis with more than 200 supplemental type certificate (STC) approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Both L3 and L5 systems are linefit factory options on the majority of business jets of all types and sizes from the world’s largest business aircraft manufacturers.

The Gogo AVANCE L5 system connects to the Gogo Biz 4G network delivering faster speeds and enhanced network capacity enabling activities such as live streaming video and audio, video conferencing, on-demand movies, faster web browsing, personal smartphone use, real-time data for cockpit apps, and remote diagnostics and support while in flight.
Early in 2018, Gogo launched AVANCE L3, a system that delivers the benefits of the Gogo AVANCE platform to passengers and flight departments in a lightweight, smaller form factor compared to L5. AVANCE L3 allows users to customize their inflight experience based on their unique needs and can be installed on business aircraft of all types and sizes, but is an ideal solution for smaller aircraft including turboprops and light jets.

In total, at the end of the second quarter 2020, Gogo Business Aviation reported 5,399 aircraft flying with its air-to-ground (ATG) systems onboard and also 4,704 aircraft flying with satellite systems onboard.

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OTHER NEWS

• We are real Apple fans!
  And because we are Apple fans, we also are fans of the gentleman who said; “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
  Who said it? Steve Jobs, Apple’s founder gave those words during a Commencement Address at Stanford on June 12, 2005. Today his company is worth $2 Trillion dollars, and unfortunately, he is no longer alive. However, some things he said were far, far ahead of other philosophical suggestions and submittals! We are linking the article from Stanford which is his address at the commencement, and, as he noted – “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.”
  Text of Steve Jobs’ Commencement address (2005)
  (Editor’s Note: While there is no question that Steve Jobs was the miracle behind Apple, an engineer named Steve Wozniak was the ‘brains’ behind the Mac, and no Apple story would be complete without him. Wozniak is a genius and is still alive today, involved with a lot of technology and good will. When he started, Mac was not necessarily on his mind: “My dream was actually just to have a computer some day. If I’d imagined that it meant starting a company to sell them, I probably would have avoided the whole thing.” While looking for a final quote from Wozniak that readers would identify with, we found this and it sums up his world quite well: “In the end, I hope there’s a little note somewhere that says I designed a good computer.” Yes Mr. Wozniak, you really, really did!)
• Industry sources indicate that American Airlines is preparing to cut 19,000 jobs by October 1, 2020 and Delta Air Lines is also planning to furlough nearly 2,000 pilots in October.
• Just so you know, there will be a potential asteroid impact on earth Nov. 2 this year. Chances asteroid 2018VPI will hit the earth is 1 in 240 probability, because the miss range will be 4,994.76 km away. And, since it is only 6.5 ft. wide, no worries!
• So, a former engineer asked us: “So with all this anti-virus technology being developed and used, I have a question: Are we setting ourselves up for creating a ‘super-virus’ by using so much anti-viral spray or UV light treatments? I mean, we have all heard before how a treatment or vaccine kills MOST of the germs/virus, but some still survives and over time, the surviving germs/virus become immune to ‘standard’ treatments and thus become ‘super-bugs.’ So all this use of sprays on aircraft or rental cars or hotel rooms; and other places etc. Are we setting ourselves up for an even bigger problem in the future? Just wondering . . .  and if anyone knows, can you verify for me whether or not the UV wavelength that kills the virus does or doesn’t deteriorate the fabrics and materials on cars, planes, and train . . .  thus increasing maintenance and replacement costs?” (We will forward your response – Editor)

July 8, 2020– PWI continues to expand the use of its LED lighting products after the FAA announces the approval of three PMA (Parts Manufacturing Approval) parts for use in additional aircraft.

he FAA has permitted the LED No Smoking/Seat Belt light for use in Pilatus PC-12, PC-12, 45 and PC-12-47. The LED No Smoking/Seat Belt light lasts up to 100,000 hours. It also requires less power and operates at a cooler temperature. The cooler operating temperature prevents warping and discoloration of the placard. This same LED lighting upgrade has already been certified for use in Beechcraft King Air models 90, 200, B200, B250, 300, 350, B300, 1900 and 1900C aircraft.

The FAA has also approved the use of the 1495 bulb replacement LED reading light in the following aircraft: Beechcraft King Air B200T, B200CT, Beechcraft Premier Jet 390 and Beechcraft 1900, 1900C, Cessna Citation III model 650, and the Bombardier Learjet 31, 35, 36 and 55.

The FAA approved the use of the 1308 LED replacement reading light in Beechcraft King Air C90, C90A, C90GT, E90, 250, B200, B200C, B200T, B200CT, B200GT, B200CGT, Citation 650 and Learjet models 35, 36 and 60, 60XR.

Lastly, the FAA also approved the 303x reading light for use in the Learjet 35, 36 and 55.

“Our replacement LED reading lights are an important benefit for plane owners,” says Robi Lorik, President and CEO of PWI. “In addition to the very long service life, our LEDs run at a much lower heat, so no more burned fingers. And they run at less than 10 volts and draw less than 0.05 amps, which is vital in critical situations when the battery may be weak”.

All three LED reading light upgrades improve existing lighting by operating at a lower temperature while using 1% of the power that incandescent bulbs require. That means that the engines are not driving the generators, lowering fuel consumption and wear-and-tear in turboprops. These LED upgrades also provide 100,000 hours of operating life while furnishing a warm, welcoming cabin atmosphere. PWI LED reading lights are already PMA approved for use in more in more than 50 different aircraft including single engine piston planes to turboprops to jets.

Established in 1963, PWI has grown from constructing coil winding and magnetometers to designing electrical assemblies, electronics, contract manufacturing, and magnetometers. PWI also specializes in producing a diverse range of customized aviation lighting, including fluorescent and LED. PWI is a FAA Repair Station and is FAR 145 certified. Aviation products can be purchased through our growing authorized dealer network. All PWI products can be purchased by emailing our sales department at sales@pwi-e.com.

London | June 1, 2020–The global aircraft cabin lighting market is expected to grow by USD 387.62 million as per Technavio. This marks a significant market slow down compared to the 2019 growth estimates due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. However, healthy growth is expected to continue throughout the forecast period, and the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 3%.

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Read the 120-page report with TOC on “Aircraft Cabin Lighting Market Analysis Report by Product (WCAFL, Reading lighting, and Lavatory lighting), Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA), and the Segment Forecasts, 2020-2024”.

https://www.technavio.com/report/global-aircraft-cabin-lighting-market-2020-2024-industry-analysis

The market is driven by the increased demand for innovative cabin lighting. In addition, the emergence of the mood-lighting system is anticipated to boost the growth of the aircraft cabin lighting market.

Technological advances and growing competition among airline operators to capture a larger customer base have led to the adoption of several strategic measures such as investment in innovative cabin lightings. The adoption of cabin lights improves the overall travel experience of passengers, which is crucial for airline operators. Some of the major airline operators are retrofitting their existing fleet with innovative lighting systems and others have deployed newer-generation aircraft that include cabin lighting systems. For instance, in 2018, Boeing signed a contract with Diehl Stiftung for the supply of emergency cabin lighting systems for its 787-family aircraft. This rising demand for innovative cabin lighting is expected to fuel the growth of the global aircraft cabin lighting market during the forecast period.

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Major Five Aircraft Cabin Lighting Companies:

Astronics Corp.

Astronics Corp. operates its business through segments such as Aerospace and Test Systems. The company offers ambient lighting, seat lighting, stowage lighting, emergency lighting, escape path marking lighting, flashlights, passenger information signs lighting, and reading lightings for aircraft cabin applications.

Aveo Engineering Group s.r.o

Aveo Engineering Group s.r.o operates its business through the Aerospace lighting segment. The company offers LED Swivel light with TOUCH sensing control, LED Swivel light, interior dome LED light with CAPACITIVE TOUCH sensing control, exit lights, and interior flexible ribbon LED lights for aircraft cabin applications.

BAE Systems Plc

BAE Systems Plc operates its business through segments such as Electronic Systems, Cyber & Intelligence, Platforms & Services (US), Air, and Maritime. The company offers IntelliCabin. It is a cabin system that provides in-seat power, LED lighting, wireless in-flight entertainment system.

Cobham Plc

Cobham Plc operates its business through segments such as Communications and Connectivity, Mission Systems, Advanced Electronic Solutions, and Aviation Services. The company offers LED panel light and LED cabin touch light.

GGI Solutions

GGI Solutions operates its business through segments such as Membrane and silicon keypad manufacturer products, Printed electronics, Custom touch screen, HeatSeal technology, and Graphic overlays. The company offers reading lights, ambient lighting, feature lights, and mood lighting solutions for aircraft cabin applications.

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Aircraft Cabin Lighting Market Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020-2024)

• WCAFL
• Reading lighting
• Lavatory lighting

Aircraft Cabin Lighting Market Geography Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020-2024)

• North America
• Europe
• APAC
• South America
• MEA

Technavio’s sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

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Related Reports on Industrials Include:

Global Commercial Aircraft Cabin Interiors Market – Global commercial aircraft cabin interiors market by geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA), type (narrow-body aircraft, wide-body aircraft, and regional aircraft), and product (seating; lavatory module; windows, cabin panels, and stowage bins; galley; and lighting)

Global Commercial Aircraft Seating Market – Global commercial aircraft seating market by cabin class (economy class, business class, premium economy class, and first class), aircraft type (narrowbody, widebody, and regional aircraft), and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America).

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio’s report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio’s comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

March 30, 2020–Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) has advised a South Korean financial institution, as arranger for several Korean debt and equity financiers (the “Arranger”), on the restructuring of an existing debt and equity financing of one A330 aircraft of approximately US$70m, advising on and coordinating the divergent interests of various multi-tranche investors. WFW also advised the Arranger in relation to the subsequent lease remarketing of the aircraft from Singapore Airlines to a reputable international airliner.

The deal teams worked intensively to complete this transaction, navigating the unprecedented challenges the industry is currently facing and the impact the COVID-19 crisis is having on all those involved. In such a context, the nature of the negotiations and the viable solutions that were formulated by the team meant that the transaction was pioneering in the South Korean aviation sector and is already being used as a guideline for future remarketing and restructuring transactions in the sector.

The cross-border WFW aviation team comprised lead Senior Associate Jeong Min (JM) Yun and Partner and Global Co-Head of Aviation Charles Viggers in Singapore, as well as Partner Susanne Burstein in New York. Advising on the English and New York law aspects of the transaction, the WFW team worked seamlessly to support the South Korean financiers and DVB’s Aviation Asset Management Sales and Commercial team in London, as well as their technical team which was working with the airline on the ground in Singapore.

Charles commented: “We are very pleased to be able to support our client and find unique and feasible solutions for the parties in such testing circumstances for the aviation industry. It is testament to WFW’s and JM’s proven track record in the Korean market that we are trusted to play our part alongside the commercial parties on complex and time-critical deals such as this”.

London | January 28, 2020–The commercial aircraft cabin interiors market size is poised to grow at a CAGR of more than 9% during the period 2020-2024, according to the latest market research report by Technavio. Request a free sample report

The demand for air travel is likely to double over the next two decades due to the growth in air travel in countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Russia, and the US. The year-over-year increase in air traffic has also mandated the induction of new aircraft to facilitate this growing demand. Hence, airline companies are increasingly ordering new generation aircraft that are fuel-efficient and lightweight. For instance, in November 2018, IndiGo, an Indian operator, upgraded its orders for A320s and replaced them with 125 A330s. The change in order was attributed to the airline’s plans to offer distinguished services to its customers and evolve its brand image from that of an LCC into a full-fledged carrier. Thousands of pounds of composite materials like honeycomb core, thermoset prepregs, and thermoplastics are being used in new-generation aircraft to reduce the overall weight of aircraft. These materials are mostly used in ceiling and floor panels, galleys, lavatory modules, food and drink trolleys, and class dividers. Such innovations will stimulate the demand for new generation aircraft, which will drive the growth of the commercial aircraft cabin interiors market.

To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR40787

As per Technavio, the emergence of 3D printing in aircraft cabin interior will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This research report also analyzes other important trends and market drivers that will affect market growth over 2020-2024.

Commercial Aircraft Cabin Interiors Market: Emergence of 3D printing in Aircraft Cabin Interior

The consistent growth of the aerospace industry is compelling aerospace companies to seek innovative technologies to manage their costs efficiently and meet the demands of the aviation market. One such technology is 3D printing or additive manufacturing that can develop three-dimensional objects using computer-aided design (CAD). 3D printing allows designers and engineers to manufacture parts with intricate geometries that are lighter than components manufactured using traditional methods. Moreover, advances in laser and 3D printing machines are encouraging developers to create parts with new material combinations. This method, apart from being cost-effective, gives the added advantage of quick design and manufacturing of different components.

“Factors such as the increasing preference for collaborative efforts in aerospace industry, and growing R&D of new materials for aircraft seating will have a significant impact on the growth of the commercial aircraft cabin interiors market value during the forecast period,” says a senior analyst at Technavio.

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Commercial Aircraft Cabin Interiors Market: Segmentation Analysis

This market research report segments the commercial aircraft cabin interiors market by product (seating; lavatory module; windows, cabin panels, and stowage bins; galley; lighting), type (narrow-body aircraft, wide-body aircraft, and regional aircraft), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and MEA).

The North American region led the market in 2019, followed by Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA respectively. However, during the forecast period, the European region is expected to register the highest incremental growth due to the growing orders for new-generation aircraft, which will parallelly generate demand for advanced cabin interior products.

Technavio’s sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

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Some of the key topics covered in the report include:

Market Landscape

• Market ecosystem
• Market characteristics
• Market segmentation analysis

Market Sizing

• Market definition
• Market size and forecast

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation

Geographical Segmentation

• Regional comparison
• Key leading countries

Market Drivers

Market Challenges

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

• Vendors covered
• Vendor classification
• Market positioning of vendors
• Competitive scenario

Camberley, Surrey | February 3, 2020- The disabled flying charity, Aerobility has gratefully accepted a generous donation of six SH40-10 Carbon Fibre Passive Headsets from UK-based SEHT Aviation Headsets.

Aerobility uses the magic and challenge of flight to help disabled people of all ages to feel less isolated, more confident and independent.  The 300g SH40-10 headsets are carbon fibre, incredibly robust and lightweight, which makes them ideal for use by this unique charity.

Stuart Miller recently awarded his PPL through Aerobility says, “Many of our flyers are hoisted into our aircraft and the equipment we use needs to be tough and durable, as well as really comfortable for people with a variety of disabilities.  The feedback we’ve had from our flyers has been very positive, as for many, it’s their first flight and there’s lots to get used to.”

“It’s a privilege to support Aerobility and see our products being used to benefit others.  It’s been great to see how the features of our headsets offer such suitability for the needs of Aerobility’s flyers.”  Simon Humphries, Managing Director, SEHT.

“We are grateful to have the support of manufacturers such as SEHT to help make a difference to the lives of disabled people.  We have some wonderful partners and sponsors in aviation and continue to work together through our passion for flying” Aerobility CEO, Mike Miller-Smith.

For more about Aerobility visit www.aerobility.com.

London | November 21, 2019–The global aircraft lighting market is poised to grow by USD 507.76 million during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 5% during the forecast period. Request Free Sample Pages

Read the 145-page research report with TOC on “Aircraft Lighting Market Analysis Report by Type (Interior lighting and Exterior lighting), by Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, and South America), and Segment Forecasts, 2020 – 2024”

The market is driven by the growing popularity of low-cost and low-maintenance lighting solutions. In addition, technologically improved lights are anticipated to further boost the growth of the aircraft lighting market.

The increasing popularity of low-cost and low-maintenance lighting solutions will be one of the major drivers in the global aircraft lighting market. The aerospace industry is suffering huge losses due to frequent replacement of failed or discolored lighting elements and broken mounting units. Also, most of the traditional lighting systems used in aircrafts are very expensive and require regular maintenance. As a result, vendors in the market have come up with LED lighting systems that help in overcoming these issues. LED lights enhance the passenger appeal owing to their bright and uniform output of light throughout the cabin. Moreover, these lighting systems have a longer lifespan and come in a wide range of colors to suit the design of the cabin interior. Thus, the lower cost of LED lighting systems along with long-life and low maintenance requirements are expected to contribute to the growth of global aircraft lighting market during the forecast period.

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Major Five Aircraft Lighting Market Companies:

Astronics Corp.

Astronics Corp. owns and operates businesses under the aerospace and test systems segments. The company offers a wide range of lighting systems for ambient, seat, and stowage lighting; cabin lighting; emerging lighting; exterior lighting; night vision lighting; and reading lights.

BAE Systems Plc

BAE Systems Plc operates the business under five segments, which include electronic systems, cyber & intelligence, platforms & services (US), air, and maritime. The company’s key offering include IntelliCabin. Through this offering, the company provides dynamic LED lighting and control, among various other solutions.

Cobham Plc

Cobham Plc has business operations under various segments, namely communications and connectivity, mission systems, advanced electronic solutions, and aviation services. The company offers a wide range of both internal and external lighting solutions for aircrafts. Some of the offerings include Illuninated Aircraft EXIT Signs, Aircraft Instrument Panel Indirect Lighting, Aircraft LED Map Light, Aircraft LED Reading Light, Aircraft LED Step Light, and Aircraft Servicing Light.

Honeywell International Inc.

Honeywell International Inc. operates the business under four segments, which include aerospace, Honeywell Building Technologies, performance materials and technologies, safety and productivity solutions. The company offers a wide range of lighting solutions, including products and maintenance services, for a variety of aircraft.

Oxley Group

Oxley Group operates the business under the following two segments: components, and lighting & systems. The company offers a wide range of lighting solutions for both commercial and military aircraft, including navigation lights, landing lights, cockpit lights, cargo lights, anti-collision lights, and wheel well lights.

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Aircraft Lighting Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 – 2024)

• Interior lighting
• Exterior lighting

Aircraft Lighting Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 – 2024)

• APAC
• Europe
• MEA
• North America
• South America

Technavio’s sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

IdeaNova

IdeaNova is a software company with a decade of experience in IT security and secure video streaming.  Inplay secure streaming pioneered distribution and integration of Digital Rights Management (DRM) technologies for modern Inflight Entertainment systems (IFE) and the Media and Entertainment industry. Their services and products are designed to reduce the complexities of delivering security solutions via attractive, reliable, state of the art technology to their clients. Inplay secure streaming delivers ready to use comments and end-to-end IFE software on passengers’ own devices or inseat displays. IFExpress had the opportunity ask Juraj Siska, CEO of IdeaNova, about some of their developments since our last interview last March.

1.  Tell us about your Inplay Live TV player – what is unique about it?
   IdeaNove: Inplay Live is not only a player but a complete infrastructure to support streaming of live content to aircraft.  It is a solution that we have been working on for several years and while it leverages our existing Inplay components (e.g. the player as you mentioned), it provides us and our customers with a completely new set of features.  These are the features that take advantage of network available on connected aircraft to deliver live TV in a much more flexible, scalable and affordable way than what we see today.
2. How does your new 3D player work? And any launch customers for it yet?
   IdeaNova: Our Inplay VR (virtually reality) has 360 view capabilities and to our knowledge is the only player that can play DRM content in VR.  This player has the same set of features and capabilities as our traditional players, but is capable of displaying secure, encrypted content on any VR device.  We are talking to several customers about this product.
3. What is unique about the new IFE Portal that was a finalist for the 2019 APEX award?
   IdeaNova: Our IFE portal has been shortlisted to be among the three best IFE products this year. With this product, airlines can take advantage of rapid deployment of entertainment features on any IFE hardware.  Our portal provides massive customization features and is designed with the passenger in mind.  We wanted to reduce the obstacles that passengers have to go through when accessing IFE content.  With this main design principle, we built an IFE portal that is available in connected or disconnected mode, it takes passenger only one click to watch a movie and we also reduced the effort it takes to discover content.  With these convenience features we have not lost track of accessibility and security.  The portal and the player make it easier to enjoy movies for people with disabilities and is available in multiple languages.  On the back end, we have increased security of our DRM servers to be in compliance with new Apex specs without sacrificing user convenience when discovering and playing movies and TV shows.
4. Any other new products or features coming out (esp. any submissions for the Crystal Cabin awards?)
   IdeaNova: We must constantly innovate so our company can remain relevant in this market.  With respect to the Crystal Cabin submission, we are especially proud of our partnership with North Central College, which is a university within a stones throw from our office.  This partnership allowed us to submit under the college category – a feature that we believe enhances our IFE portal in a more socially interactive way and makes passengers become part of a community of travelers.
5. Anything happening on the DRM front – i.e., any new security provisions coming out for HDR or 4K Ultra content?
   IdeaNova: There are a lot of new changes, especially as a result of APEX spec 0415 v2.  As the studios are releasing higher and higher quality content to airlines, their requirements for content security are increasing.  These requirements can range from software adjustment, introduction of tamper proof components, which by the way could be very expensive, to changes in the way we build IFE hardware.
   Overall, these changes are necessary as they improve the security posture of IFE systems.  Here at IdeaNova we have recently made a major breakthrough with how we handle encryption using available IFE hardware.  This breakthrough allowed us to keep the cost of  the IFE software down while meeting studio requirements for higher quality content.

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KID Systeme

The intelligent and smart cabin is a key element on Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator 777 flying test bed and it is taking new technologies out of the lab and into the air – and to Frankfurt airport (Germany) on static display on November 19th and 20th. “Intelligent & Smart Cabin” (i+sCabin) is a research project for the definition of standards for connected cabin features that has been launched in 2018, comprising the industrial partners KID-Systeme, Bühler Motor, Diehl Aviation, Jeppesen, and Zodiac Aerospace (a Safran company).

The i+sCabin is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, which has identified the research project as an important component of their aviation research program, endorsing the prioritization of the project with a 3.9 million Euro grant.

With the Boeing Company and Etihad Engineering (part of the Etihad Aviation Group) this program has found premium sponsors which secures an international footprint for the achievements of this project. Prestigious university partners (the Baden- Württemberg Cooperative State University and the Hamburg University of Technology) are equally associated partners of the project as well.

Boeing’s 2019 ecoDemonstrator program includes connected cabin technologies in which the i+sCabin is a key part of 777 test bed. Flying test installations on board Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator 777 will allow the i+sCabin team to test the principles of cabin communications standards, wireless communications sensor networks and smart functions of galleys very early in the envisioned environment. Also, the team will be able to collect data for predictive health monitoring, making the real-flight environment a valuable addition to the project’s test schedule.

i+sCabin is progressing well on schedule since its launch in 2018, with the main milestone of implementation and testing of the first version of the cabin communication standard expected towards the end of 2019 and in the course of 2020, and project finalization set for 2021.

As part of the ecoDemonstrator’s flight test program, Boeing is bringing the aircraft to Germany’s biggest airport in Frankfurt for a two-day program on November 19th and 20th. In addition, on November 20th the Etihad Aviation Group will invite to bilateral meetings between UAE and German representatives in order to discuss new future projects. The technology mission of Boeing’s 2019 ecoDemonstrator program will be presented on both days to government officials, industry representatives and STEM students to help inspire the next generation in aerospace leadership.”

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Panasonic Avionics

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) named Ken Sain as chief executive officer. He succeeds Hideo Nakano, who has served as Panasonic Avionics CEO since 2017 and as deputy CEO prior to that.  Nakano will now serve as Special Advisor for Panasonic Avionics.

Sain, who most recently served as vice president of Digital Solutions and Analytics for Boeing Global Services and as CEO of Boeing subsidiary Jeppesen, will join Panasonic Avionics on December 2, 2019.

“We are excited to welcome Ken to the Panasonic team,” said Michael Moskowitz, chairman and CEO of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the parent company of Panasonic Avionics. “His entrepreneurial spirit and proven track record in aviation will undoubtedly accelerate Panasonic’s customer-centric innovation and the digital transformation journeys of its airline customers.”

Hideo Nakano, chief executive officer of Panasonic Avionics, said, “Throughout his career, Ken has demonstrated tremendous leadership in change management and business growth. This proven legacy of success, combined with his expertise in developing and launching inflight digital solutions, will no doubt help accelerate our mission to make flying an experience everyone looks forward to.”

“Panasonic Avionics created the aviation industry’s first inflight entertainment solution 40 years ago and became the market leader through continuous innovation,” said Ken Sain. “I’m both honored and excited to join the talented Panasonic team to build upon this success and redefine the passenger experience of the future with our airline customers.”

Throughout his 25-year career, Sain has developed a broad mix of cross-functional leadership experience.  He is recognized as a passionate, customer-focused, aviation technology business leader with deep expertise in airline operations and maintenance.

Sain spent the last 14 years of his career with Boeing in various roles including strategy, technical engineering services and digital solutions.  In his most recent role leading Digital Solutions and Analytics, he oversaw significant growth in Boeing’s customer-facing digital solutions portfolio, using agile software development to launch new products and cloud-based solutions for airline and business aviation customers around the world.

Prior to Boeing, Sain was a principal with global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney.  For over ten years, he specialized in business strategy, operations and top-line growth for major airlines, airline alliances and travel technology providers.

Sain holds a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Northwestern University.  After graduating from Northwestern, Sain was part of a small team to found Midway Airlines and subsequently served the airline in operations, market planning and as Director of Marketing.

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Inmarsat

Generation Z (Gen Z – The LSE defines Generation Z as born between 1997 – 2012) are last-minute spenders when planning trips, presenting an opportunity for airlines to revolutionize inflight e-commerce and take revenue from elsewhere in the customer journey. New research from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), commissioned by Inmarsat Aviation, suggests that by 2028, Gen Z passengers will spend an average of $26 on travel purchases while on their flight. Generation Z is forecast to become the largest group of airline flyers globally within the next decade, with 1.2 billion flying each year by 2028 (Sky High Economics – Chapter Three: Capitalizing on Changing Passenger Behavior in a Connected World). The LSE estimates that this consumer group currently spends a collective $3.6 billion in items and services in the weeks leading up to a trip and upon arrival at their destination. These findings underscore a significant opportunity for airlines to shift spending onboard and to take a proportion of the revenue with an e-commerce model that supports the ‘last-minute’ approach of today’s ‘digital-first’ passengers. The research analyzed purchasing decisions made during three key phases of the customer journey before a holiday: more than a week before; in the days before; and upon arrival. It finds that Gen Z is the most likely of all generations to delay buying products and services for their trip until the days before they fly. While currently only one in ten passengers make an inflight duty-free purchase when they fly, there is a significant opportunity for airlines to monetize the growing trend for last-minute spending. According to the LSE, 70% of Millennials and Gen Z passengers indicate that they would delay arrangements for their trip until their flight if they knew that a reliable Wi-Fi connection would be available, and the necessary delivery infrastructure was in place (LSE Interviews 2017-2019).

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OTHER NEWS

• How the Dumb Design of a WWII Plane Led to the Macintosh  | WIRED We don’t need sell to this one to you, However, we must say the folks at WIRED really made the connection!
• Here is another plane solution – Why Do Plane Wings Tilt Upwards? – YouTube
• The folks at Quantum Country have built an amazing article on quantum computing. As they note: “Presented in a new mnemonic medium which makes it almost effortless to remember what you read.” It’s 26,000 words but it really is educational but here is a warning – “If you don’t have that mathematical background, you’ll need to acquire it.” Quantum computing for the very curious
• Want to watch about AI, good & bad? Here is FRONTLINE: In the Age of AI | Watch S2019 E5 | FRONTLINE | PBS | Official Site This is good!!
• So, you are on the plane and the traveler next to you claims, in the past, the Beatles were the worlds favorite band. Hmm, want to see who was from 1969 till today…dynamically! Best-Selling Music Artists 1969 – 2019 – YouTube
• Have you ever heard of Tuvalu? Well it might disappear soon so we want to go – Traveling to the Least Visited Country in the World – YouTube And here’s another –  Flying to Tuvalu: A Dream Come True – YouTube

Editor’s Note: Next week we will have highlight coverage of the news from Dubai, including information relating to Airbus and Boeing – so stay tuned!

True Blue Power unveils ultra-fast, 60-watt, USB-PD charging ports

Wichita, Kansas | October 8, 2019– True Blue Power, a leading provider of certified USB power products for the aerospace industry, today announced the company’s newest ultra-fast charger, the TA360 Series USB-PD Charging Port. Designed to power new and future electronic devices, the high-speed charging ports use USB Power Delivery (PD) technology to provide 60 watts of power per port.

“True Blue Power is at the forefront of USB product development. Adding this advanced USB-PD technology to our product line ensures pilots, passengers and crew have access to cutting-edge, in-flight USB power now and well into the future,” said Erik Ritzman, True Blue Power Director. “The TA360 series future-proofs aircraft for years to come.”

Ultra-fast charging / Maximum power
USB Power Delivery (PD) is the fastest charging technology available. It provides 4 times more power than traditional USB-A and USB-C chargers. USB-PD charging ports offer intelligent voltage output, allowing each specific device to receive the maximum level of power possible. While PD-compatible electronics benefit most from this new technology, the TA360 Series also supports traditional USB-A and USB-C devices.

60 watts of True Blue Power per port   
The latest PD-compatible smartphones, tablets, electronic flight bags (EFB) and laptop computers benefit from the TA360 Series’ variable power output. The ultra-fast charger delivers 5–20 volts at 3 amps, providing up to 60 watts of power per PD port and is available in three primary configurations.

Installation / Protection
The TSO-certified TA360 Series offers easy in-seat, cabin, cockpit and galley installation, and protects itself and the electronic device from short circuit, power surges, overload and over temperature. True Blue Power USB-PD chargers are a drop-in replacement for the company’s TA102 and TA202 Series chargers. All True Blue Power USB Charging Ports offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

The TA360 Series USB-PD Charging Port will be on display in booth C8717 throughout the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention and Exhibition at the Las Vegas Convention Center October 22 – 24. For more information, contact Erik Ritzman, True Blue Power Director, at 316-630-0101 or visit truebluepowerusa.com.

Greensboro, NC | August 19, 2019– Latitude Aero, a leading global aircraft seating overhaul provider, recently announced the hiring of Taylor Caslin as Director of Marketing. In this role, Caslin will develop and implement a marketing plan that will translate the company’s business strategy into marketing objectives using website management, public relations efforts, and branding.

“I am honored to join such a successful young company that is on the verge of great change and growth, and hope to propel that success at the helm of the Marketing team,” says Caslin. “I look forward to getting acquainted with the aviation industry and applying my experience in strategic communication and design.”

Caslin comes to Latitude Aero with seven years experience in marketing and graphic design. Most recently, Caslin worked as Marketing Specialist and Graphic Designer in the contract furniture industry. There, she led marketing efforts, including managing digital and print materials, creating and maintaining an active email campaign and database, developing sales presentations and controlling social media. This background has helped Caslin to make an easy transition into her current position.

Caslin will be based primarily out of Latitude Aero’s corporate headquarters in Greensboro, N.C., where she will work closely with President & CEO Kelvin Boyette to provide sales and trade show support.

Hong Kong | June 11, 2109–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.

Dublin | May 22, 2019–The “Global Commercial Aircraft Passenger Service Unit (PSU) Market 2019-2023” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.

The commercial aircraft passenger service unit (PSU) market will register a CAGR of about 7% by 2023.

The growing initiatives of prominent OEMs for enhancing the production activities for achieving higher performance levels are expected to trigger the market growth during the forecast period. OEMs are adopting integration and full cross-functional alignment for managing industrial activities and achieving a high-performance level. In addition, the market players are defining and deploying industrial strategies for ensuring the best industrial standards. As a result, such initiatives will further boost the commercial aircraft passenger service unit market during the forecast period.

Market Overview

Growing demand for new generation aircraft

The global commercial aviation industry is growing steadily amid rapidly increasing air traffic, at the international, regional and domestic levels. The growing adoption of wide-body aircraft, especially in the middle east, is also promoting the growth of the global commercial aircraft PSU market during the forecast period.

Stringent legal norms and quality standards in the aviation industry

The global aviation industry is governed by numerous laws and regulations, which in a way define aviation industry. The increased costs of complying with such stringent regulations challenge the mass-scale production of commercial aircraft components and parts.

Competitive Landscape

The market appears to be highly concentrated and with the presence of a few market players. This market research report will help clients identify new growth opportunities and design unique growth strategies by providing a comprehensive analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and offering information on the products offered by companies.

Key Topics Covered:

PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT

PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE

• Market ecosystem
• Market characteristics
• Market segmentation analysis

PART 04: MARKET SIZING

• Market definition
• Market sizing 2018
• Market size and forecast 2018-2023

PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

• Bargaining power of buyers
• Bargaining power of suppliers
• Threat of new entrants
• Threat of substitutes
• Threat of rivalry
• Market condition

PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY APPLICATION

• Market segmentation by application
• Comparison by application
• Narrow-body aircraft – Market size and forecast 2018-2023
• Wide-body aircraft – Market size and forecast 2018-2023
• Regional aircraft – Market size and forecast 2018-2023
• Market opportunity by application

PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE

PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

• Geographic segmentation
• Geographic comparison
• North America – Market size and forecast 2018-2023
• Europe – Market size and forecast 2018-2023
• APAC – Market size and forecast 2018-2023
• South America – Market size and forecast 2018-2023
• MEA – Market size and forecast 2018-2023
• Key leading countries
• Market opportunity

PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK

PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

• Market drivers
• Market challenges

PART 11: MARKET TRENDS

• Development of PSUs with display
• Development of personalized PSUs
• Growing consolidation in aviation supply chain

PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

• Overview
• Landscape disruption
• Competitive scenario

PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS

• Vendors covered
• Vendor classification
• Market positioning of vendors
• Astronics Corporation
• Luminator Technology Group
• Safran
• Triumph Group
• United Technologies

PART 14: APPENDIX

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rplbrd

Toulouse | May 22, 2019– Airbus has signed  a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SAS Scandinavian Airlines for hybrid and electric aircraft eco-system and infrastructure requirements research.

The MoU was signed by Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer, Airbus and Göran Jansson, Deputy President EVP Strategy & Ventures, Scandinavian Airlines. Collaboration will start in June 2019 and will continue until the end of 2020.

Under the MoU, Airbus and SAS Scandinavian Airlines will cooperate on a joint research project to enhance understanding of the operational and infrastructure opportunities and challenges involved with the large-scale introduction of hybrid and full electric aircraft to airlines modus operandi. The project scope includes five work packages, which focus on analysing the impact of ground infrastructure and charging on range, resources, time and availability at airports.

The collaboration also includes a plan to involve a renewable energy supplier to ensure genuine zero CO2 emissions operations are assessed. This multidisciplinary approach—from energy to infrastructure—aims to address the entire aircraft operations ecosystem in order to better support the aviation industry’s transition to sustainable energy.

Aircraft are roughly 80% more fuel efficient per passenger kilometer than they were 50 years ago.  However, with air traffic growth estimated to more than double over the next 20 years, reducing aviation’s impact on the environment remains the aim of the industry.

To overcome this challenge, the Global Aviation Industry (ATAG) including Airbus and SAS Scandinavian Airlines have committed to achieving carbon-neutral growth for the aviation industry as a whole from 2020 onwards, cutting aviation net emissions by 50% by 2050 (compared to 2005).

This agreement further strengthens Airbus’ position in a field where it is already investing in and focusing its research efforts on developing hybrid-electric and electric propulsion technologies that promise significant environmental benefits.  Airbus has already started to build a portfolio of technology demonstrators and is currently testing innovative hybrid propulsion systems, subsystems and components in order to address long-term efficiency goals for building and operating electric aircraft.

• A220 aircraft range increased by up to 450 nm, opening new route possibilities for airlines around the world

France | May 21, 2019–Airbus today announced that the A220 Family aircraft, the newest addition to its single-aisle portfolio, will now be offering increased range starting from H2 2020.

The A220 aircraft maximum take-off weight (MTOW*) is now confirmed to increase by 2,268 kg (2.3 metric tonnes). The new MTOW will increase the respective maximum range capabilities to 3,350 nm for the A220-300 and 3,400 nm for the A220-100, some 450 nm more than currently advertised.

“In true Airbus tradition we improve our products constantly,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer, Airbus. “This new MTOW will allow operators to reach markets which today cannot be served by other small single-aisle aircraft types.”

“Since its entry-into-service close to three years ago, the A220 aircraft has already proven that it is meeting or beating its initial performance targets, bringing more flexibility and revenue potential to customers,” said Rob Dewar, Head of Engineering & Customer Support for the A220. “Today, Airbus is reinforcing its confidence in the A220 platform and further enhancing its capabilities to meet upcoming market requirements.”

This performance increase is achieved by taking credit of existing structural and systems margins as well as existing fuel volume capacity. This will allow airlines to tap into new routes that were not possible before, connecting key cities in Western Europe with the Middle East or from Southeast Asia to Australia.

The A220 has been purpose built for efficiency. It brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft.

With an order book of over 530 aircraft to date, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion’s share of the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market, estimated to represent 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.

Nuremberg, Germany | March 27, 2019– Nuremberg, Germany-based MRO, FAI Technik GmbH, part of the FAI Aviation Group, has selected Collins Aerospace’s latest Venue^TMcabin management system and high definition entertainment system for its latest Bombardier BD700 Global Express cabin refurbishment project, named “Project Pearl.”

Project Pearl represents one of the most extensive refurbishment projects for the type. The five month project will include 60, 120 and 240-month inspections and a full cabin refurbishment featuring thenew Collins Aerospace Venue.  Passengers can enjoy watching HD movies and listen to enhanced digital audio throughout the cabin. Venue can broadcast a range of other high-resolution content. The project also includes the installation of Honeywell´s Ka-Band broadband technology, delivering ultra-high-speed satellite connectivity.

The architect of the cabin project is German designer Tim Callies, who is well known for his work on Airbus ACJ, Boeing BBJ and Bombardier Global Express interiors.  The luxury interior will feature VIP seating for 12 passengers and include stylish two tone leather seating and two three-seat sofas covered in Armani fabric. Additional modifications and upgrades include new cabinetry, cobalt black metal plating, granite table tops, the latest galley appliances to include a wine cooler, coffee maker and oven and stylish heated stone floors in the galley and toilet area. This will be followed by a newly designed exterior paint scheme.

Priced at USD $ 10.95 m, this unique turnkey Global Express should be very attractive to potential clients flying on business or leisure trips.

Siegfried Axtmann, Founder and Chairman of FAI Aviation Group comments: “We are very much looking forward to presenting this unique aircraft to the pre-owned Global Express market in April.  FAI Technik continues to stretch the boundaries to extend its remit in MRO and this latest project demonstrates our outstanding capabilities in refurbishing Global Express aircraft.”

Project Pearl is FAI´s sixth in-house Global Express cabin refurbishment and its third installation of Honeywell´s Ka-band technology on a BD700.

In January 2018, FAI Technik was appointed as an Authorized Dealer for Collins Aerospace avionics and cabin electronics equipment.

Global satellite technology company Blue Sky Network extols the virtues of Rock Seven’s acclaimed tracking and messaging unit for its US customer base

January 28, 2019–  Blue Sky Network (BSN), the market-leading, San Diego-based specialist in global satellite technology, has this week revealed that Rock Seven’s RockAIR fleet tracking and messaging device is now part of its product portfolio.

The partnership between the two companies is well-founded. In June 2018, BSN announced the integration of its cloud-based SkyRouter tracking, communications and fleet management portal within Rock Seven’s dual-mode Iridium/GSM RockFLEET tracker. By this means, BSN has been able to reinforce and increase its presence in the maritime market, leveraging the RockFLEET’s versatility as a standalone GPS tracker with suitability for permanent mounting on vessels ranging from yachts and fishing craft to commercial ships.

BSN’s SkyRouter solution will also now be integrated with the RockAIR. The RockAIR unit’s small form factor has been designed for easy portability and convenient but unobtrusive positioning on the dashboards of light aircraft, rotorcraft and land vehicles, with a variety of mounting (and quick-release) options. Its least-cost routing capability enables the built-in GSM to use terrestrial mobile networks wherever practicable, but the unit will automatically switch to the Iridium satellite network in areas where GSM is inaccessible.

With the truly global coverage that this service provides, clients can track and communicate with assets in any location. Obtaining a position via the GPS network, the tracker will subsequently transmit this data (using GSM or Iridium, as appropriate) back to BSN’s SkyRouter system.

The RockAIR also enables full two-way communication from anywhere, in the form of texts, brief emails or social media posts, with the use of a paired Bluetooth device such as a smartphone or tablet and the RockCONNECT app. Running on a 9-30V external power supply, the RockAIR features an internal battery for back-up, which allows up to a fortnight of usage.

“We are very excited to partner with Rock Seven and bring the capabilities of the RockAIR, along with the robust features of our SkyRouter command and control platform, to customers requiring a reliable and flexible tracking solution,” adds Nick Tucky, BSN’s business development director. “The ability to seamlessly switch between satellite and GSM networks helps our clients to save money in their operations while benefitting from the safety and security vehicle tracking provides.”

“There can be no greater validation of the importance of vehicle and asset tracking than BSN’s continued enthusiasm to bring Rock Seven’s technology to customers in the US,” says Nick Farrell, Director, Rock Seven. “The combination of the RockAIR and SkyRouter represents a service of incredible value and comprehensiveness, taking communications and tracking to the next level.”

Record-setting domestic passenger traffic and robust domestic economy to drive the need for 2,300 new airplanes, valued at $320 billion

New Dehli, India | December 19, 2018–

Boeing [NYSE: BA] raised its long-term forecast for commercial airplanes in India as unprecedented domestic passenger traffic and rapidly expanding low-cost carriers (LCCs) drive the need for 2,300 new jets – valued at $320 billion – over the next 20 years.

This year alone, more than 10 million passengers, on average, traveled within India each month.

“To meet this increased domestic air traffic growth, we see the vast majority of available airplane seats coming from LCCs,” said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president of Sales for Asia Pacific and India, Boeing Commericial Airplanes. “The success of this market segment will mean more than 80 percent of all new airplane deliveries in India will be single-aisles. And the superior economics and fuel efficiency of the new 737 MAX airplane will be the perfect choice for Indian carriers.”

According to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), India’s commercial aviation industry has achieved 51 consecutive months of double-digit growth. This growth is matched in other sectors of the country’s economy.

“The Indian economy is projected to grow by nearly 350 percent over the next two decades to become the third largest economy in the world,” said Keskar. “This will continue to drive the growth of India’s middle class and its propensity to travel both domestically and internationally, resulting in the need for more new fuel-efficient short- and long-haul airplanes.”

With more than five percent of the world’s fleet expected to operate in India by 2037, services will continue to be a major driver of growth in the region’s commercial aviation industry. Commercial services such as flight training, engineering and maintenance, digital analytics among others will provide airlines with optimal operational efficiencies as they continue to expand to meet growth in the marketplace. In the South Asian market, including India, Boeing forecasts a commercial services market valued at $430 billion over the next 20 years.

Formerly known as Boeing’s Current Market Outlook, the CMO is the longest running jet forecast and regarded as the most comprehensive analysis of the commercial aviation industry. The full report can be found at www.boeing.com/cmo.

France | December 17, 2018–

United Kingdom | December 2018– STG Aerospace, the pioneering aircraft cabin lighting specialist, is delighted to announce that its full-colour Airbus liTeMood LED cabin lighting system has been chosen by Volotea, the Spanish low-cost operator.

Currently operating a mixed fleet of A319s and Boeing 717s, the airline plans to move to an all-Airbus fleet over the next five years, resulting in this current order with STG Aerospace for no fewer than 45 full-colour liTeMood systems.  Installation on the first batch of aircraft have already begun. Having begun operations in 2012, Volotea currently flies to some 78 European destinations from bases in Spain, France, Italy and Greece.

Marcus Williams, Global Sales Director commented: “We are delighted to add Volotea to the growing list of airlines that have chosen our latest liTeMood LED lighting system after a rigorous technical and competitive evaluation of the available systems.  After completing an on-wing demonstration on their aircraft earlier this year, the Volotea team subsequently made a visit to the STG Aerospace Innovation & Engineering Centre in Wales where we finalised the ideal colour configuration to suit the Volotea brand identity.”

Isidre Porqueras, Volotea’s Chief of Cost and Operations Performance, commented: “Having made the decision to transition to an all-Airbus fleet, our next task was to ensure that our passengers would enjoy the most enjoyable and memorable journey we could offer them. Having experienced the impact of the full-colour liTeMood system at AIX Hamburg, we were convinced that STG Aerospace had what we needed.”

STG Aerospace introduced its dynamic, configurable, full colour version of liTeMood earlier this year for both single and twin aisle Airbus aircraft. The system provides a choice of over 16 million colours and can be used to create bespoke scenes (from northern lights to sunrises and sunsets to settings specifically designed to celebrate national holidays) in just minutes using a unique and patented wireless programming tool.

Truly plug-and-play, liTeMood works with both classic and enhanced CIDS and can be installed in under 6 hours on a typical A320 with no changes required to the aircraft’s wiring or control panels. Approved by EASA and the FAA, it also delivers a range of operational benefits, including an MTBF in excess of 55,000 operating hours, a weight saving of up to 20kg on an A320 and 45kg on an A330, and a reduction in power usage of 55% compared to incumbent systems.