FlightSafety Boeing Fields B737 Flight Simulators
FlightSafety Boeing Training International LLC intends to satisfy global demand for Next Generation B737 simulator training by delivering six new Next-Generation 737 full-flight simulators to training centers around the world. By the end of 2001, FlightSafety Boeing intends to have a total of nine Next Generation 737 simulators operating throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
FlightSafety Boeing expects to complete certification of six new simulators in a couple of years. Two full-flight Next Generation 737-600/700/800 simulators are currently operating at FlightSafety Boeing’s Seattle training facility, and a third is located at its UK London-Gatwick Training Center.
Visit www.flightsafetyboeing.com for further information.
Korean Maritime Police Chooses ELTA Radar
The Korean National Maritime Police Agency (KNMP) selected ELTA Electronics Industries Ltd.’s EL/M-2022 multimode maritime surveillance radar for its maritime patrol aircraft. Bombardier Aerospace of Canada will provide a Challenger 604 aircraft, and systems installation will be done by Aerodata of Germany.
The Royal Australia Air Force also uses the EL/M-2022 radar as the principal sensor for its AP-3C maritime surveillance aircraft. More information about ELTA, a subsidiary of Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd., may be found at www.iai.co.il.
Duncan Takes Home The Diamond Award
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reently presented Duncan Aviation’s Lincoln, Neb., facility the Diamond Award, which recognizes technicians and their employers. Company awards are given according to how many technicians qualify for the individual awards.
For technicians to qualify for the Diamond Award, they must attend a specified number of hours of training over one calendar year. The Diamond Award requires that at least 25% of a company’s technicians receive an award, a level the Duncan facility exceeded, with 144 award-winning technicians. In 1999, Duncan Aviation spent more than $2 million to expand in-house and outside training programs.
For award information, see www.faa.gov/fsdo/hln/g_amtac.htm on the Web, or contact Steve Jones at 800-457-9917, or 406-449-5270. Duncan Aviation may be reached at 402-475-2611 or 800-228-4277.
Canadian Marconi Co. Becomes BAE Systems Canada
Canadian Marconi Co., Saint Laurent, Quebec, Canada, has changed its name. As a result of the merger of Marconi Electronic Systems, a unit of UK-based GEC, and British Aerospace, the company is now named BAE Systems Canada.
The company’s shareholders and regulatory agencies approved the name change in early February. BAE Systems Canada will be traded on the American and Toronto stock exchanges under the symbol "BAE."
The agreement to merge British Aerospace and Marconi Electronic, finalized last Nov 30, has GEC retaining the Marconi name and trademark. British Aerospace subsequently announced it would name its new company BAE Systems.
For more information, see www.baesystems-canada.com.
SAS Installs HUDs On New B737s
SAS has become the first European airline to install head-up display (HUD) guidance systems on all new Boeing 737s. The system was installed to increase safety during takeoffs and touchdowns when conditions of poor visibility exist.
Using the information displayed on the screen, the pilot can fly the aircraft manually in conditions down to 650 feet (200 meters) of visibility. By combining the HUD with the aircraft’s autopilot, which is capable of flying the machine from takeoff to touchdown, SAS will be in a position to request reduced visibility during takeoffs and landings.
Rockwell Collins’ I2S Wins German Approval
German flight certification authority Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) has granted operational evaluation approval of Rockwell Collins’ Integrated Information System (I2S). This status permits evaluation of I2S capabilities on-board Condor Flugdienst Airbus A320s in revenue service. The system’s certification will make it the first in the industry to comply with ARINC 763 guidelines.
I2S provides PC-like computing capability on-board aircraft and offers airlines a range of software applications for flight crew, cabin crew, maintenance and passenger services (see Avionics Magazine, December 1999, page 26).
Two Condor A320 aircraft currently are fitted with Collins I2S as part of the Condor Aircraft Integrated Network (CAIN) project, a joint program between Rockwell Collins and Deutsche Lufthansa. Eventually, as many as eight Condor A320 aircraft will be equipped. Gatelink installations at Berlin’s Schoenefeld airport, as well as airports in Leipzig, Germany, and Palma de Majorca, Spain, will provide the ground infrastructure necessary for data transfer.
See www.collins.rockwell.com for more information.
Garrett, Florida Jet Center To Jointly Serve Florida
Garrett Aviation Services and the Florida Jet Center have formed a new business venture called Garrrett Aviation Avionics, located at Florida Jet Center, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Garrett says the partnership will provide Florida regional customers with better avionics service and installation coverage. Garrett Aviation Avionics, operating as a satellite of Garrett Aviation at Augusta, Ga., will offer avionics sales, repairs, and installation services at the Florida facility.
For more information, contact Bill Whittaker at 602-231-6023, or by e-mail at bill.[email protected].
Rogerson Kratos IIDS Approved on Bell 427
Rogerson Kratos’ integrated instrument display system (IIDS) has been certified for VFR operation in the Bell 427 helicopter.
The Pasadena, Calif.-based manufacturer now looks to have the IIDS certified with its electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) in the Model 427 for dual-pilot IFR operation. That approval is expected in March 2001, according to company chairman Michael Rogerson.
The IIDS was developed specifically for the 427, says Rogerson, but it can be made applicable to other aircraft. The system is comparable to a Rogerston Kratos system for the Bell 412 helicopter.
For more information, call 626-449-3090 or fax 626-795-0322.
Altair Start Controller Approved for Bell 206
Altair Avionics, Norwood, Mass., announced at Heli-Expo in Las Vegas, Nev., that it had received FAA certification for its IntelliStart Plus start controller on the Bell 206 helicopter. The unit was developed in conjunction with Honeywell’s Engine Systems and Accessories Division at Tempe, Ariz., and South Bend, Ind.
The IntelliStart Plus limits the start temperature on the Rolls Royce 250 engine, monitors engine events, and logs flight and cycle information. On the 206, the controller consists of an airframe-mounted processor, two harnesses and up to 21 sensor inputs.
See www.company.monster.com/altairac/ for more information.
Smiths’ GenHUMS
A prime example of the expanded use of on-board recording for diagnostics and aircraft performance monitoring is Smiths Industries’ GenHUMS, which is about to enter production for delivery and installation on the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) fleet of 40 Chinook helicopters.
The GenHUMS includes voice recording and, for data acquisition, monitors nearly 200 parameters to the Chinook’s operation. It continuously acquires, processes and stores data in cartridge form for routine maintenance and in a crash survivable "black box." Sensors around the tandem-rotor helicopter’s airframe provide input on engine and gearbox vibration, airframe health, rotor track and balance, avionics and overall aircraft performance. Essential health data is provided to the flight crew, while more detailed information is stored for later use by ground support technicians. All of these functions are housed as a single unit.
Production installation of GenHUMS, performed by Smiths and GKN Westland Industrial Products Ltd., commenced in January on a Mk2a Chinook at RAF Odiham with the aircraft preparation in December 1999. The GenHUMS contract for the UK Ministry of Defence includes options for more than 270 Sea King, Puma and Lynx helicopters, for which initial interface and installation definition activities are underway. Visit www.smithind-aerospace.com.
Air Traffic Control
Nav Canada Selects Prior Workstations
Canada’s Prior Data Sciences Ltd., which specializes in software engineering and systems integration, won a one-year $1.9-million contract to provide Nav Canada with new hardware and software for the country’s seven Technical Operations Coordination Center Work Stations (TOCCWS). These replacement workstations will be used by technical operations coordinators to maintain and monitor air navigation systems and equipment.
The scalable workstations were designed to easily interface with other Nav Canada reporting and maintenance systems. See www.prior.ca or www.navcanada.ca on the Web.
Park Air Takes Part in Bulgaria’s VHF Upgrades
In a follow-on contract, Park Air Electronics is supplying additional equipment to expand VHF communications for the Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority. The equipment will be delivered early this year for integration at Sofia.
To improve reception, a new transmitter/receiver station is being installed at Varbiza, in the Balkan mountains. Another system will be installed at Bourgas airport with eight radio channels supporting airport operations. The increase in radio sites and radio channels also requires expansion of the existing multi-access remote control (MARC) systems from two to three with the addition of a subsystem at Bourgas airport.
See www.parkair.com for more about Park Air Electronics.
STARS ATC System Operating at Syracuse
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now controlling arriving and departing air traffic at the Syracuse (N.Y.) Hancock International Airport using Raytheon Co.’s new air traffic controller workstations. Syracuse follows El Paso, Texas, as the second key site of 173 in a planned FAA terminal area air traffic control (ATC) system and display modernization effort known as the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS).
The new high-resolution color displays and computer systems are the first elements of a plan to deploy new, state-of-the-art ATC systems to all terminal ATC facilities throughout the National Airspace System.
Across the Atlantic, Raytheon’s AutoTrac automated air traffic control (ATC) system has been declared operational at the Langen Area Control Center near Frankfurt, Germany, by the Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS). Preparation involved nine months of operator training; the system’s implementation took five years, following a DFS contract agreement with the Raytheon team in May 1994.
Visit www.raytheon.com for more information about Raytheon projects.
Lockheed Martin Takes Scottish ATC Contract
As expected, Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management has won a contract from the United Kingdom’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) to provide a radar data processing and display system for the Scottish Area Control Centre (ScACC) at Prestwick, Scotland. The ScAAC represents the second half of NATS’ so-called "two center" plan; the agency has a new center in Swanwich, in southern England, which Lockheed Martin also equipped.
The ScAAC contract holds a potential value of $7 million. The new equipment is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2001. The radar data processing capabilities of Lockheed Martin’s SkyLine system will upgrade control services for the entire Scottish Flight Information Region.
For more information, see the Website at www.lockheedmartin.com.
Slatina Operating Again, But With Restrictions
In mid-January, Kosovo’s main airport reopened for civilian air traffic, some two months after NATO closed it to investigate the crash of a United Nations charter flight. However, all flights at Slatina airport are restricted to daylight operations, subject to weather conditions. Commercial flights will be limited to two per day on weekdays and four on Saturdays and Sundays.
SKY Unit Used for BAE Signal Processing System
SKY Computers Inc., a subsidiary of Analogic Corp., says that BAE Systems of the United Kingdom used SKY Computers’ SKYbolt II multicomputer to develop a new radar signal processing system for naval surveillance and target indication.
The UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) funded the development through its Pathfinder program. BAE Systems used SKY multicomputers to reduce the system’s size from six chassis of proprietary hardware to a single chassis of commercial-off-the-shelf components, while also improving real-time processing response.
Go to www.skycomputers.com and www.dera.gov.uk.
CML ATC Technologies Wins Canadian Contract
Computing Devices Canada (CDC) contracted with CML ATC Technologies Inc. to provide Canada’s Department of National Defence with a mobile voice communications system. The system is for the 8 Air Communication and Control Squadrons (8ACCS) program, for which CDC is the prime contractor.
The 8ACCS system integrates solid-state, 3-mode, deployable radar technology from ITT Industries and air traffic control (ATC) voice switch technology from CML ATC Technologies Inc. of Hull, Quebec. The digital ATC voice switching system is designed to conform to the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority and defense specifications for air traffic control.
For more information, see www.cmlatc.com.
Raytheon Modernizes ATC System at Kunming
Raytheon Systems Canada Ltd. received a certificate of acceptance from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) following approval of Raytheon’s air traffic control (ATC) radar system at Kunming International Airport. Kunming, is the first center in the region to have a modernized ATC system installed.
Raytheon Systems Canada Ltd. is the turn-key prime contractor and supplier for the Kunming ATC system. The system consists of a solid-state, digital primary surveillance radar, the ASR-10SS, and an Autotrac air traffic management (ATM) system, and is integrated with an existing secondary radar. The system also includes microwave communication links, data recorders and power systems.
In nearby Vietnam, Raytheon Co.’s TracView Airspace Management System last December successfully completed site acceptance testing at the Ho Chi Minh Area Control Center (HCM ACC). The contract between Raytheon (in the U.S.) and Vietnam Air Traffic Management (VATM), an organization of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV), is one of the first commercial contracts signed between a major U.S. corporation and the government of Vietnam since the lifting of the U.S. trade embargo against Vietnam in 1994.
See www.raytheon.com for additional information.
Navia Aviation Moves Ahead on Contracts
Navia Aviation has been awarded a contract to supply GAREX 220 voice communication control systems (VCCS) for air traffic control at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Indonesia. The system will comprise a total of 45 controller positions and some 70 radio and telephone connections. The project is expected to be completed during the summer 2000.
Meanwhile, Navia Aviation’s NOVA 9000 ATCS system for advanced surface movement guidance and control has been handed over to Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport after a successful site acceptance test last December.
See www.naviaav.com on the Web.
Frequentis Network Systems Now Named Avitech
Reflecting a 1998 shift in share ownership, Frequentis Network Systems has been renamed Avitech. Frequentis Vienna, which had a controlling share in FNS, transferred 20% of its shares to a management group built around director, Michael Gutlederer. Avitech’s ownership structure is now as follows: 40% with Nortel Dasa, 20% with the Gutlederer management team, and 40% with Frequentis, in Vienna.
FNS’ current major project is Eurocontrol’s European AIS Database (EAD), involving the development and installation of a European Aeronautical Information Systems (AIS) database. For more information, see www.frequentis.com.
Sofreavia Gained Five Contracts in ‘99
Sofreavia opened its order book and added up five contracts during 1999 for its ATALIS 2 aeronautical information system. The contracts are for systems in Cyprus, Lebanon, Mauritius, Egypt, and the latest, Zimbabwe. The ATALIS 2 is a global aeronautical information services (AIS) system structured around the notice to airmen (NOTAM) processing system. It includes a remote briefing subsystem for airports and Air Traffic Services (ATS) centers.
For more information, see www.sofreavia.com.
Air Freight Forecast Indicates Increase
IATA’s Freight Forecast estimates the growth in international traffic to average 5.5% per annum during 1999-2003. This represents an increase of just 0.2 percentage points on the average level of the 1998-2002 freight forecast.
The complete report is now available, priced at $275 for International Air Transport Association members and $450 for non-IATA members. See www.iata.org.
Australia’s Qantas Gains New Telecomm Network
Qantas has installed a new A$250 million telecommunications network, connecting all of its airport and administrative offices around the world. The international component of the new QIPNet (Qantas Internet Protocol Network) system, has been designed, built and managed by SITA, under a six-year A$90 million contract. The QIPNet system is based on frame relay technology and uses the TCP/IP protocol.
Defense
AIM to Provide Typhoon With Test Equipment
BAE Systems, on behalf of Eurofighter GmbH, awarded AIM GmbH a contract for the development of databus test equipment (DBTE) to support the Eurofighter, Typhoon. The DBTE, considered aircraft ground equipment, is designed to operate in extreme conditions on and around the aircraft for subsystem intercommunication test, simulation and monitoring of avionics connected by STANAG3838/3910 databusses.
The DBTE is based on a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) portable workstation known as the RP8200, which is supplied by AIM’s partner and prime subcontractor DRS Rugged Systems Europe Ltd. of Farnham, UK. The RP8200 will be fitted with the AVI3910 VMEbus module for STANAG3910 test and simulation and runs the MBA-2000-P databus analyzer software on the Windows NT operating system.
For further information, visit www.aim-online.com, or send e-mail to Douglas Ullah at [email protected].
Marines on Schedule For H-1 Test Flight
The U.S. Marine Corps and industry partner Bell Helicopter Textron say they are on track for the first test flight, scheduled for October, for the H-1 upgrade program. The $600 million undertaking involves the upgrade of 180 AH-1 Cobras and 100 UH-1 Hueys, so that they have 85% commonality in airframe, engine and avionics parts.
With integrated cockpit designs, as well as improved communications and weapons management systems, the Marines hope to boost the interoperability of these 1980s aircraft with other systems in the field. (See Avionics Magazine, November 1999, page 26.)
Sextant to Outfit Tigers with Displays
Sextant has won a contract from the French Defence Procurement Agency to supply 160 binocular helmet-mounted sight/displays for both HAP and HAC versions of the Tiger attack helicopter.
The new sight/display is based on the Topowl system, which has already been selected for the European NH 90 and the South African Rooivalk helicopters. Topowl was developed and is produced in cooperation with the German avionics company VDO-L.
See www.sextant-avionique.com.
Australia Selects Elta’s EL/L-8222 for F-11 Pods
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has selected Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. subsidiary Elta, and its main Australian subcontractor, Vision Abell, as preferred tenderers to provide the EL/L-8222 electronic warfare (EW) jamming pod for its F-111 aircraft. It is a power-managed, electronic countermeasures (ECM)jamming pod that includes an internal integral receiver. Its main task is to increase survivability of the aircraft during operations in a hostile electromagnetic weapon systems environment.
Visit www.iai.co.il or send e-mail to [email protected].
Lockheed and Collins Sign Teaming Agreement
Lockheed Martin and Rockwell Collins signed a teaming agreement for the C-130X transport modernization program. The formal request for proposals for the avionics modernization program (AMP) was scheduled to be released in March and the winner chosen by the end of the year.
The upgrade program, which calls for work on more than 500 C-130s, is worth between $4 billion and $5 billion. The AMP will provide the C-130X with a glass cockpit and new avionics systems in accordance with global air traffic management (GATM) requirements. Lockheed Martin and Rockwell Collins are both currently working on GATM upgrades on KC-135 and C-5 transports.
Visit www.lmco.com or go to www.collins.rockwell.com on the Web.
Australia Purchases BAE Systems for Wedgetail
Britain’s BAE Systems was recently selected by Boeing Co. to provide a significant portion of the avionics for Australia’s Project Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft.
BAE’s North American subsidiary will provide the cockpit tactical mission displays, command and control consoles, and mission computers for the Boeing 737 aircraft chosen for Wedgetail. The systems will incorporate state-of-the-art display technology, including ultra-high resolution, rugged, flat panel tactical displays. The avionics equipment will be manufactured by BAE Systems North America’s Greenlawn, N.Y., facility.
Look to www.bae.co.uk for more information.
Extra $41.6 Million Means F/A-18 Upgrades for Marines
Marine Corps squadrons are expected to get an additional $41.6 million in FY 2001 for upgrades to their Boeing F/A-18A strike fighters, a Marine spokeswoman says.
The extra funding will allow the Marines to upgrade 34 aircraft–10 more F/A18As than had been funded under last year’s budget. The goal is to upgrade four reserve squadrons and two active duty squadrons of older Lot VII F/A-18As to be uniform with the Lot XVII F/A-18C’s.
The upgrades include the Raytheon APG-73 radar and a Rockwell Collins ARC-210 radio suite. The aircraft would also be updated to carry Raytheon’s advanced, medium-range air-to-air missile, Boeing’s joint direct attack munition and the multifunctional information distribution system.
Racal Avionics Wins Two British Military Contracts
Racal Avionics has won two contracts to upgrade avionics on British military helicopters. The first program, for the Royal Navy Lynx HMA Mk8s, covers installation of the next generation Saturn V/UHF radios. The second program calls for updating the Royal Air Force’s HC Mk2/2A Chinook with the AMS 2000 navigation units with embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Initially, these contracts are said to be worth some $95 million, with an additional $65 million, with options.
See www.racal.com on the Web.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Racal Electronics Plc agreed to be acquired by Thomson-CSF of France for �1.32 billion ($2.16 billion). The boards of both companies voted unanimously to accept the deal; however, it still is subject to regulatory approval and the need to consider certain issues of competition jurisdiction.
Three U.S. aviation technology schools, which merged this year, have taken a new name. Colorado Aero Tech in Broomfield, Colo.; Northrop Rice-Los Angeles; and Northrop Rice-Houston started operating under the name Westwood College of Aviation Technology (WCAT), effective February 2000.
Telephonics Corp. has acquired former AlliedSignal/Bendix search and weather radar products RDR 1400 and RDR 1500 from Honeywell. The two radars will be integrated into Telephonics’ family of radars.