March 25, 2019 - No. 024 In This Issue Amadeus acquires airport tech firm Embry-Riddle, aviation research park sign education agreement. Earth Networks Launches Aviation Early Warning System for the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) Boeing-Sikorsky Team Conducts Maiden Flight of SB-1 Defiant Helicopter I-Team: New FAA data shows midair drone sightings spike 35 percent; incidents include RDU, CLT Mirror and glass developments to be unveiled at Aircraft Interiors Expo Lufthansa Technik establishes data platform company Aviation DataHub Bell and Rolls-Royce collaborate on advanced propulsion systems SkySkopes turns heads in industry Boeing Delays 1st Test Flight of Crew Capsule to August: Report Amadeus acquires airport tech firm Amadeus has agreed to acquire Australian aviation technology company ICM Airport Technics for an undisclosed cash sum. ICM will join travel technology group Amadeus' airport IT division. The company, based in Sydney, is a specialist in air passenger automation, self-service bag drop and biometric baggage processing. Madrid-based Amadeus operates airline reservations systems and a variety of aviation technologies as well as a global distribution system (GDS) for air bookings through intermediaries. Amadeus said the deal would mean it "is able to design, configure, implement, operate and support all airport systems needed to manage passengers and their baggage from end-to-end". The acquisition is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year. Amadeus head of airport IT Bruno Spada said: "Airports are crying out for open self-service solutions to help take the hassle out of the airport experience for passengers. "By combining Amadeus' and ICM's software and hardware capabilities, by accelerating and introducing more self-service options and by using the power of biometrics, this deal will ensure we can deliver better journeys for passengers." He added: "ICM is will be a perfect cultural fit for Amadeus. "[Airport] customers tell us they don't want to work with multiple suppliers but single providers that can harness the best of the latest technologies and ultimately can 'do it all'. This deal delivers that." Luis Maroto, Amadeus president and chief executive, said: "The acquisition is an important milestone for our airport IT business, as well as for our diversification strategy. "We aim to simplify a range of complex processes for our airport customers." ICM will retain a presence in Sydney and Melbourne. About 150 ICM employees are expected to join Amadeus. http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/327407/amadeus-acquires-airport-tech-firm Back to Top Embry-Riddle, aviation research park sign education agreement EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - As Atlantic County positions itself to become a hub of aviation research, county officials announced a formal agreement for an academic partner with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The National Aviation Research and Technology Park has signed a memorandum of understanding with Embry-Riddle to promote academic and research opportunities in aviation and avionics. The world's largest university specializing in aviation and aerospace also is working with the county to develop an operational plan for an aviation and technical academy at Atlantic City International Airport. Most recently, representatives from the college met with Atlantic County high school superintendents to discuss an aviation STEM initiative that would provide high school students with opportunities to earn college credits and industry certifications prior to graduation. "With this MOU, Embry-Riddle will now serve as an academic partner of NARTP to help advance the aviation sciences through research activities to enhance the safety, security, efficiency and capacity of air transportation," NARTP Board President Edward H. Salmon said in a statement. https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/business/embry-riddle-aviation-research-park-sign-education-agreement/article_972572d1-d16c-5839-a38c-72e647132193.html Back to Top Earth Networks Launches Aviation Early Warning System for the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 24, 2019--Earth Networks today announced it has completed a new aviation early weather warning system for The Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA). The announcement was made at the 6 th annual InterMET Asia conference in Singapore. Designed for air traffic management and airport operations professionals to issue alerts on severe weather and lightning threats that have the potential to affect air and land operations including ground crews, fueling, and aircraft, the newly operational global aviation early warning system includes: * Real-time lightning detection powered by the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network, featuring over 1,700 sensors in more than 100 countries * On-the-ground weather monitoring via the Earth Networks Weather Network * Sferic Maps, a web-based severe weather monitoring and alerting platform * Severe weather data and visualization tools such as Dangerous Thunderstorm Alerts and * * * * PulseRad, a lightning-derived radar alternative * Short-range point forecasts powered by ENcast, enabling highly accurate short-term weather prediction for specific areas * Lightning data integration with SYNERGIE, Meteo France International's (MFI) web-based, multi-task software that manages METAR weather observations from existing automated weather observing systems (AWOS), making all ASECNA AWOS P/T level ready * Comprehensive training and ongoing operational support Based in Dakar, Senegal, ASECNA is one of Africa's largest Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) covering 17 member states in Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, Togo, Union of Comoros and France. With 6 Flight Information Regions (FIRs), and a vast coverage area 1.5 times the size of Europe's, ASECNA is responsible for air traffic management for 16.5 million square kilometers of airspace over the African continent. "We have areas in Central Africa that are affected by heavy cloud cover and thunderstorms nine months out of the year," said Moctar Mahfoud, Director of Aeronautical Meteorology at ASECNA. "The need to have real-time information about weather phenomena that can cause severe turbulence and plane diversions is crucial." Thomas Sobakam, Manager of Meteorological Services at ASECNA added, "After a six-month period of using lightning-derived storm tracking from Earth Networks, we found our rate of false alarms decreased, and have improved our ability to predict when a storm will pass, helping to eliminate delays due to convective storms, which account for 40% of the incident cases in our area of control." Jim Anderson, Senior Vice President, Global Sales at Earth Networks said, "We are thrilled with the operational results and their clear impact on safety and operational efficiency improvements in the African airspace. Working with ASECNA, we have substantially enhanced the ability to detect, track and alert for severe weather across an airspace 50 percent larger than all of Europe. These capacity improvements will have significant economic benefits across much of Africa." About Earth Networks Earth Networks is a leader in early warning systems for aviation, with more than 50 airport and aviation customers around the world. Its comprehensive weather monitoring, visualization, alerting and forecasting decision support tools help the aviation industry reduce delays due to weather, eliminate false alerts and provide safe operating conditions during flight and on the ground. https://www.apnews.com/Business%20Wire/41db0954349a481a94222bee1946f7fb Back to Top Boeing-Sikorsky Team Conducts Maiden Flight of SB-1 Defiant Helicopter A helicopter platform developed by the team of Boeing and Sikorsky flew for the first time Thursday at the latter's facility in West Palm Beach, Fla. Lockheed Martin, the parent company of Sikorsky, said Thursday that SB-1 Defiant is powered by X2 technology and a participant in the Joint Multi-Role-Medium Technology Demonstrator program. The aircraft is fitted with rear-mounted pusher propulsors, coaxial main rotors and other tools designed to support infiltration, attack and assault, resupply and long-range transport missions. The Boeing-Sikorsky team designed the vehicle in an effort to help inform the U.S. Army's Future Vertical Lift initiative and provide data for the military branch to create requirements for utility helicopters that are projected to enter service by early 2030s. Defiant represents the X2 aircraft produced in less than a decade, Lockheed noted. Sikorsky registered the new coaxial helicopter with the Federal Aviation Administration as "S-100" earlier this year. https://blog.executivebiz.com/2019/03/boeing-sikorsky-team-conducts-maiden-flight-of-sb-1-defiant-helicopter/ Back to Top I-Team: New FAA data shows midair drone sightings spike 35 percent; incidents include RDU, CLT MORRISVILLE N.C. (WTVD) -- An ABC11 I-Team investigation has found a dramatic rise in midair drone sightings, including several close calls in North Carolina airspace. Data obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration shows airplane and helicopter pilots in the United States reported seeing drones from the cockpit 2,312 times in 2018. In North Carolina, pilots reported seeing drones near several airports including Raleigh (RDU), Charlotte (CLT), Greensboro (GRO), and Asheville (AVL). The mid-air sightings vary in altitude, but all are well above what's legal for drones, which are generally limited to flying under 400 feet above ground level. Among the reported sightings in North Carolina: • May 14, 2018 - United Airlines E-175 jet departing RDU; the pilot tells Air Traffic Control (ATC) the drone appeared seconds after takeoff one mile south of the airport and passed under the nose of the plane at 1,600 ft. June 2, 2018 - American Airlines CRJ-900 on landing approach to CLT; pilot states drone was "about the size of a seagull" and came within 200 feet of the aircraft. The reported drone sighting was at an altitude of 12,000 feet. October 3, 2018 - A pair of F-18 jets flying in formation over Currituck; pilot reports "a balloon shaped" drone with a camera at an altitude of 13,500 feet. The jets split formation to avoid colliding with the drone. By law, all drone operators must register their drone with the FAA. An earlier I-Team investigationcounted 28,346 drones in North Carolina; 24,510 for recreation and 3,854 for commercial or government purposes. Beginners can use drones to race, take overhead pictures or just have fun. Experts can fly themfor surveying agriculture, public safety and construction, among other industries. The North Carolina Department of Transportation lists these as general guidelines for all drone operators: *Always fly below an altitude of 400 feet, and fly within your direct line of sight. *Be aware of FAA airspace requirements. *Do not fly near stadiums, public events, or directly over people. *Do not fly near aircraft, especially near airports. *Do not fly near emergency response efforts such as fires or hurricane recovery efforts. *Do not fly at night. *Do not fly a UAS/drone that weighs more than 55 pounds. For commercial users, there are even more regulations. As for enforcement of these laws, data obtained from the FAA shows the majority of incidents - including those in North Carolina airspace - are reported in real time to local law enforcement. Christopher Main, a senior investigator with the Wake County Sheriff's Office, confirms the WCSO answered at least five call from air traffic control about illegal drones. No one was arrested. The problem, Main laments, is the challenge of time: a pilot calls in a drone sighting to Air Traffic Control, which then alerts a local law enforcement agency, but usually without a pinpoint location of the drone operator holding the remote control. "We may be 10-15 minutes out from that location and we're trying to spot a fly in the sky," Main explains, adding that there is emerging technology that should help crack down on illegal drones in the future. "Air traffic control can identify the planes flying in airspace, and (the technology) can identify the drone, serial number and tells you where the person may be sitting or standing and that's real time." https://abc11.com/i-team-new-faa-data-shows-midair-drone-sightings-spike-35-percent/5210421/ Back to Top Mirror and glass developments to be unveiled at Aircraft Interiors Expo Air-Craftglass plans to showcase a refit mirror concept, special glass for first and business class, and a new touchless technology application at Aircraft Interiors Expo, to be held on April 2-4, 2019, in Hamburg, Germany. Air-Craftglass has developed a concept for the A320 consisting of special full mirrors that can be upgraded by clients. Features including light elements, a magnifying glass and a return-to-seat button can be added. Moreover, the mirrors can be adapted to serve as monitors or panels for various smart technologies. The company also notes growing demand from the commercial aviation sector for material upgrade and personalization possibilities. At Aircraft Interiors Expo, Air-Craftglass will display examples of glass that can be used for a range of applications, especially in first and business class cabins. In addition to transparent glass, the solutions include frosted glass, tinted glass, insulating glass, decorated mirrors, wood in matte and high-gloss glass finishes and a wood collection with integrated digital signatures, to showcase its scope for personalization. The company says all its products are based on scratch-resistant and UV-resistant glass, to guarantee durability and quality. https://www.businessjetinteriorsinternational.com/news/hard-materials/mirror-and-glass-developments-to-be-unveiled-at-aircraft-interiors-expo.html Back to Top Lufthansa Technik establishes data platform company Aviation DataHub Lufthansa Technik has established Aviation DataHub, an independent company to feature a platform for all data generated by the aviation industry. Jan Stoevesand and Michael Britzke have been appointed as managing directors of Aviation DataHub. The setting-up of Aviation DataHub is considered to be a significant step in the digitalisation of the maintenance, repair and overhaul business (MRO), as well as the integration of flight and ground-handling operations. This platform will enable airlines, manufacturers and the MRO industry, data providers to gather, compile and process technical or flight-operations data. Aviation DataHub enables data security, integrity and control by the owner of the data. With regard to the technical support of aircraft or improvement of ground-handling and flight operations, airlines will be able to decide with whom they want to share their data. Lufthansa Technik executive board chairman Dr Johannes Bussmann said: "The establishment of the hub is a very important step, especially in guaranteeing airlines' control of the data of their fleets and the use of this information. Our aim is to ensure the independence of airlines and to maintain competition. After all, competition will make the aviation industry more dependable, efficient and environmentally conscious. Control, choice and competition for all market players - this is the guiding principle of Aviation DataHub." The firm currently has a 100% stake in Aviation DataHub. Over the coming months, Lufthansa Technik intends to add other shareholders and partners from the aviation industry to significantly reduce its stake. A digital product of Lufthansa Technik, Aviatar will also work with the data from the Aviation DataHub. It is an integrated platform for digital services such as predictive maintenance with integrated technical implementation. The next step will see flight operations being included which will offer airlines with an integrated and uniform solution so that they can opt for holistic fleet management. Several operators use Aviatar to draw benefits such as optimised operating times, reduced consequential costs and more reliable fleet operations. Lufthansa Technik head of digital fleet solutions Dr Christian Langer said: "We welcome competition. It drives innovation and the search for the best solutions. For this reason, Aviation DataHub is open to anyone who wants to improve our industry - and that naturally includes our competitors. We are already in a fairly advanced stage of discussions with some potential shareholders and partners. The interest in such a neutral data platform is huge." https://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/lufthansa-technik-establishes-data-platform-company-aviation-datahub/ Back to Top Bell and Rolls-Royce collaborate on advanced propulsion systems Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced a teaming agreement with Rolls-Royce for the development of an optimized propulsion system and continued risk reduction efforts aimed at the V-280 Valor and V-247 advanced vertical lift platforms. The collaboration will focus on the integration of Rolls-Royce's proven low-risk and advanced propulsion systems into future Bell aircraft. "The goal of this collaboration is to further enhance the performance and affordability of our aircraft," said Keith Flail, vice president of advanced vertical lift systems for Bell. "Future Vertical Lift programs bring revolutionary solutions for warfighters; Bell and Rolls-Royce are focused on delivering those capabilities." This agreement extends Bell's support for the U.S. military's aviation modernization and acquisition priorities. Building industry relationships delivers options to rapidly mature technology and provide capability to the warfighter. The result will be more options to create aircraft with revolutionary capabilities for vertical lift programs. "Bell is at the forefront of creating highly capable and sustainable aircraft that vastly outperform legacy platforms, and Rolls-Royce is a world leader in advanced engines and propulsion systems," said Jason Propes, senior vice president of defense customer relations at Rolls-Royce. "We are excited to enhance our long-standing relationship with Bell and help deliver on customer requirements through innovative solutions and proven technologies." As part of this agreement, Bell will lead the design, development and production of advanced vertical lift systems, and Rolls-Royce will provide its technical expertise in propulsion systems to provide potential customers with tested, high-performance solutions. This collaboration extends a successful relationship between Bell and Rolls-Royce that has existed for more than 50 years. https://www.verticalmag.com/press-releases/bell-and-rolls-royce-collaborate-on-advanced-propulsion-systems/ Back to Top SkySkopes turns heads in industry North Dakota's SkySkopes is among companies worth getting to know in the U.S. commercial drone industry, according to a recent article on Forbes.com. Contributing writer Colin Snow, a drone industry analyst, highlighted SkySkopes and two other companies that are leading the way in unmanned aviation. SkySkopes CEO Matt Dunlevy said to be singled out from about 30,000 UAS service companies nationally reflects positively on the unmanned aircraft system ecosystem in North Dakota and the work put in by his staff. "I couldn't be more proud of our pilots for getting that type of recognition," he said. "We are able to distinguish ourselves because we focus. That same focus and that same vision and drive is making sure we are able to put one foot in front of the other faster." Based in Grand Forks, SkySkopes started in 2014 and has grown to more than 18 full-time employees and four offices across the upper Midwest, including an office in Minot. As noted in Forbes, SkySkopes refined its focus to the energy industry and now has operations in California, Texas, Minnesota, Florida and Europe. "In a field of more than 30,000 service companies, very few stand out as full-time ventures-let alone as profitable and growing-but SkySkopes does. They succeeded because they specialized," Snow wrote. "What makes SkySkopes successful is they are not afraid to push the limits of drone technology. Their specialization in acquiring aerial data with advanced aircraft has landed them projects with CenterPoint Energy, Duke Energy, Xcel Energy and a host of others," the article stated. SkySkopes and NASA also have teamed up to test beyond-line-of-sight to integrate civilian low-altitude airspace and unmanned aircraft system operation. "All this landed CEO Matt Dunlevy a seat on the advisory board of the Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition, the only event exclusively focused on the business and technology of aerial, ground/surface and subsea robotics in energy operations," the article stated. The other two companies featured were PrecisionHawk of Raleigh, N.C., which offers a full drone stack, including drone aircraft with advanced sensors, software, analytics and contracted services, and DroneDeploy of San Francisco, which offers software. Dunlevy said the attention SkySkopes has been getting from other media nationally has helped it recruit pilots from across the country and build its reputation. "That we were able to turn some heads with our move to Minot and successfully going through the process of the MAGIC Fund, there's a national credibility to it. It's also kind of reassuring - not just that what we are doing makes waves on a large level - but we chose an industry that looks like it's bearing fruit," he said. SkySkopes is part of the Minot Area Development Corp.'s Magic Sky Initiative, which seeks to build a drone industry in Minot. Grand Forks already has situated itself as a hub for drone activity. North Dakota's UAS ecosystem is years ahead of other parts of the country, Dunlevy said. "We have the best drone ecosystem probably anywhere in the country," he said. "Magic Sky and Minot have everything to do with that." http://www.minotdailynews.com/life/business/2019/03/skyskopes-turns-heads-in-industry/ Back to Top Boeing Delays 1st Test Flight of Crew Capsule to August: Report Boeing has delayed the first spaceflight of its CST-100 Starliner crew capsule - an uncrewed test mission to the International Space Station (ISS) - from next month until August at the earliest, according to Reuters. The target date for Starliner's first crewed ISS flight has also been pushed back, from August until November, Reuters reported Wednesday (March 20), citing unnamed industry sources. One of these sources said that technical issues weren't the sole factor; scheduling issues at Starliner's launch site, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, also contributed. Spokespersons for Boeing and NASA declined to comment, but the NASA official said an updated launch schedule will be published next week, Reuters reported. Boeing is developing Starliner to carry astronauts to and from the ISS, under a $4.2 billion contract the aerospace giant signed with NASA in 2014. SpaceX holds a similar commercial-crew deal, valued at $2.6 billion, to get that company's Crew Dragon capsule up and running. Crew Dragon already has one spaceflight under its belt: Earlier this month, the SpaceX capsule aced a six-day, uncrewed demonstration mission to the ISS known as Demo-1. SpaceX plans to conduct an in-flight test of Crew Dragon's emergency-escape system soon; if all goes well with that uncrewed launch, Crew Dragon could carry two NASA astronauts to the ISS on the Demo-2 demonstration flight as early as July. Contracted, operational missions carrying four astronauts will commence sometime after that. NASA signed the commercial-crew deals with Boeing and SpaceX to bring orbital human spaceflight back to U.S. soil. The nation has been without this capability since July 2011, when NASA retired its space shuttle fleet after 30 years of service. Ever since then, NASA has depended on Russian Soyuz rockets and spacecraft to ferry U.S. astronauts to and from the ISS. A seat aboard the three-person Soyuz spacecraft currently costs about $80 million. https://www.space.com/boeing-starliner-capsule-test-flight-delays.html Curt Lewis