Expanded functionality in Lido/AMM Airport Moving Map / External Bad Elf GPS receiver successfully tested with KLM on flight deck

Raunheim, Germany | February 26, 2019– Displaying one’s own aircraft position on airport maps helps pilots navigate between the gate and the runway. This function in the Lido/AMM Airport Moving Map from Lufthansa Systems can now be combined with the external Bluetooth GPS receiver from Bad Elf. This GPS is easy to install on the flight deck and considerably cheaper than using GPS information from conventional avionics systems. The small Bad Elf GPS devices accurately show the own-ship position on the airport map. This helps pilots, especially when navigating unfamiliar airports, and improves their situational awareness.

The new function was successfully tested with the customer KLM Royal Dutch Airlines during live operations between March and October 2018. “Since 2015 we have been using the digital Lido/mPilot maps across our entire fleet,” said Maarten Koudijs, Manager Digitizing & Navigation Support at KLM. “The Lido/AMM tests with the Bad Elf GPS device continually improved our setup. We also had test flights on different aircraft types, including B737, B777, B787 and A330. We are very pleased with the result of the field tests and are currently reviewing whether to introduce Lido/AMM with GPS-based own-ship position.”

Taken together, the navigation applications from Lufthansa Systems have thus far supported the following aircraft interface devices (AIDs) for integrating GPS information: the AID from Boeing ONS, the UTC Aerospace Systems Tablet Interface Module® (UTAS TIM) and GroundLink AID+ from Teledyne. Other cheaper GPS solutions, by contrast, are often not precise enough for use at airports. This new cooperation with Bad Elf led to the solution: a portable, external GPS device that is smaller than a conventional smartphone and can be simply certified for use on the flight deck. The Bad Elf GPS connects to the digital maps either via Bluetooth or cable, and no further installation is necessary. The new function has already been integrated into Lido/mPilot for iOS and Lido/eRouteManual for Windows. All that an airline needs to use it is the Bad Elf GPS Pro+ accessory.

“Displaying the own-ship position in Lido/AMM is not new in itself, but it has not often been requested by customers to date. We are therefore delighted that, thanks to our cooperation with Bad Elf, we can offer a more cost-efficient solution that is also fast and easy to integrate,” explained Dr. Bernd Jurisch, Head of Flight & Navigation Solutions at Lufthansa Systems. “We are confident that more airlines will now use this feature, which will further improve safety while navigating at airports.”

Lido/mPilot is Lido´s mapping solution for the iPad. Lido/eRouteManual is the Windows-based app for navigation maps. Both applications include all important route information, including altitude data, airways and airport information. The systems can access data such as GPS information, speed and the direction of the airport in order to display the position and orientation of the aircraft on the integrated Airport Moving Map (Lido/AMM).

Bad Elf has been offering external GPS receivers for improved situational awareness in electronic flight bag applications to private, military, and commercial pilots since 2010. Further information about Bad Elf can be found online at https://bad-elf.com/airlines

Seamless integration – New generation of iOS navigation app from Lufthansa Systems includes dynamic Airport Moving Map showing aircraft position

Raunheim | November 28, 2017–Lufthansa Systems today announced the launch of a new release of its successful Lido/mPilot iOS navigation app. The highlight of the new generation is the integration of dynamic airport maps from Lido/AMM. The Airport Moving Map is now available both in the Windows-based Lido/eRouteManual app and on iOS. Lido/mPilot 3.0 can be found in the App Store.

“Dynamic maps are the future of navigation. They enable seamless navigation from gate to gate, with no limits whatsoever,“ said Igor Dimnik, Director Strategy and Market Development at Lufthansa Systems. “Lido/mPilot 3.0 enables pilots to switch seamlessly between Lido/AMM and the navigation maps during takeoff or after landing. This release is the first milestone on our path to fully dynamic navigation maps.”

Lido/mPilot 3.0 can be wirelessly connected to the avionics system installed on the flight deck. The system can then access relevant avionics data such as GPS information, speed and the aircraft’s target direction. This enables it to display the situation, position and orientation of the aircraft on both the Airport Moving Map and the Enroute Map. Hardware and software together facilitate navigation and improve the pilots’ situational awareness. Lido/mPilot currently supports the Aircraft Interface Device (AID) from Boeing ONS and will soon be integrated with the UTC Aerospace Systems Tablet Interface Module® (UTAS TIM).

To avoid a flood of information with such a wealth of data, Lido/mPilot 3.0 shows pilots only the information relevant to their current procedure. Lido/AMM highlights the gate position or access point for taxiways and runways on the map as necessary. The program always displays all information in the context of the airport environment. Lido/AMM prevents runway incursions and increases the safety and efficiency of taxiing procedures.

Around 70 airlines have already opted for the mobile Lido/mPilot navigation solution since the app was launched in early 2015. The modular app offers features such as airport maps, a dynamically generated enroute map, and a document management and distribution system that enables pilots to access documents and messages both at home and on the move. A status overview with intuitive icons guarantees a clear flow of information.