Teledyne Brings Aircraft Information Management Into 21st Century

[Avionics Today 08-29-2014] Despite all of the new technology being packed into the data centric architectures of modern airplanes, many airlines and operators still use outdated technology for a crucial part of their operations — floppy disks. Believe it or not, the majority of Boeing 737 operators — the industry's best selling passenger jet — are still using floppy disks to load avionics software.   But that process will soon become obsolete, according to William Cecil, director of business development, wireless and data automation solutions at Teledyne Controls. Teledyne, which was awarded the single source contract to provide data acquisition systems for the Boeing Next Generation 737 and the 737 MAX in 2013, will demonstrate how airlines can bring their avionics software uploading process into the 21st century in a webinar hosted by Avionics Magazine on Wednesday Sept. 3rd.    "Most 737 operators today have a binder of floppy disks for all the software for all the avionics that they may need," said Cecil. "Right now today, that's what the majority of the airlines load their monthly Navigation Database with, they load it with the floppy disk and the databases are getting bigger. So sometimes one floppy disk is enough, it can be as many as eight floppy disks. Like the display electronics unit takes eight floppy disks, and it takes maybe an hour or more to perform that loading." - See more at: http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/topstories/Teledyne-Brings-Aircraft-Information-Management-Into-21st-Century_82966.html#.VAPoEcWSxkk

King Abdullah warns Western World that they are ISIS' next target!!

King Abdullah warns Western World that they are ISIS' next target!!

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has warned that the West will be the next target of...

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Applications now being accepted for helicopter scholarships

The Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) has long recognized the need for qualified commercial helicopter pilots and helicopter maintenance technicians — the current shortage is very real and many experienced pilots and maintenance technicians are nearing retirement age. HFI annually offers up to 19 scholarships to help support students studying to become part of tomorrow’s vertical aviation industry.

Commercial Helicopter Rating Scholarships — Applicants for the Commercial Helicopter Rating Scholarship must already have obtained their private license and be enrolled in a Commercial Helicopter Rating program at an FAA-approved Part 141 school or international equivalent. Up to four scholarships may be awarded. Applicants who expect to receive their Commercial Helicopter Rating prior to Jan. 1, 2015, are not eligible to apply for or to receive this scholarship award.

Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarships — Applicants for the Maintenance Technician Certificate Scholarship must already be enrolled in a Maintenance Technician Certificate program at an FAA-approved Part 147 school or international equivalent. Up to six scholarships may be awarded. Applicants who expect to receive their Maintenance Technician Certificate prior to Jan. 1, 2015, are not eligible to apply for or to receive this scholarship award.

Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance Technician Scholarships — Scholarship winners attend a course from a selection offered by airframe and powerplant manufacturers with a value not to exceed $1,600. Up to eight scholarships may be awarded.

Michelle North Scholarship for Safety — Established in memory of Michelle North, a well-known helicopter safety expert and educator, this scholarship is awarded to a pilot who has already attained a commercial rating and demonstrates an outstanding aptitude for safe flying and aviation best practices. One scholarship may be awarded.

Applicants for these awards are selected by one of HFI’s qualified scholarship review committees. Funds are paid out to the selected applicants upon successful completion of their respective programs.

Applicants will find the requirements and necessary downloadable application forms for these scholarships at HFI’s website. The deadline to apply for these scholarships is 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2014.

Applications and necessary documentation may be emailed toscholarships@rotor.org or mailed to: HFI Scholarships, 1920 Ballenger Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314-2898. An electronic form of the application is preferred. Only applications that meet the minimum qualifications listed on the website will be considered.

AVIAREPS appointed by Cinnamon Air to represent UAE and Qatar

AVIAREPS has been appointed by Cinnamon Air, Sri Lanka's domestic airline, as its representative in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar with immediate effect.

The appointment was made as the airline seeks to firmly establish and strengthen its brand and sales outreach among travellers and travel industry leaders from the Middle East. As part of the representation, AVIAREPS will be responsible for the airline’s sales promotions and marketing in the region.   

“Our aim is to expand our clientele base further in the Middle East and attract more travellers to visit Sri Lanka. We are confident that AVIAREPS is the best partner for us to achieve our ambitious goals and professionally serve our passengers from the Middle East market,” said Romesh David, director, Cinnamon Air. 

Cinnamon Air provides domestic Air Taxi services that operate daily scheduled flights from its base at the Bandaranaike International Airport to key destinations across the country including Kandy, Sigiriya, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Dickwella and Koggala. Cinnamon Air also offers short scenic flights and charter flights to any part of the island for groups, cruise passengers and corporate travellers. Since commencing operations in July 2013, Cinnamon Air has uplifted over 4000 people (as of July 2014) on its scheduled, charter and scenic flights. 

David added: “The journey times to Sri Lanka’s many scenic cities and attractions throughout the country can be time-consuming. This is something that hinders people from visiting Sri Lanka’s many treasures outside Colombo during a short-break. At Cinnamon Air, we provide speedy scheduled air taxi services and scenic charter flights that not only allow you to be in any part of the country in less than 60 minutes but also offer picturesque views of the verdant country below. Cinnamon Air allows travellers to explore the island like never before whilst maximising a visitor’s time.” 

Cinnamon Air’s fleet consists of two 8-seater Cessna 208 Amphibian Caravans and a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan wheeled aircraft, both amphibian aircraft have the capability of landing on land and water, and all three aircrafts are amongst the most reliable planes in the world. All passengers travel in exclusive speed and comfort while taking in breath-taking views of the island.

- See more at: http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/aviareps-appointed-by-cinnamon-air-to-represent-uae-and-qatar.html#sthash.yMd7FFUY.dpuf

AVIATION AFRICA event: AVIATION AFRICA 2015 10th - 11th May 2015 • Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The event will take place in Dubai, UAE on 10-11 May 2015

IATA chief executive Tony Tyler has described this as the ‘century of African Aviation’ as the continent takes steps to achieve its growth potential. Its nearest neighbours, the Middle East, have achieved such momentous growth over the past two decades.

These two world regions have a rich shared history. There has been centuries of trade and shared experience. And today, the opportunity continues to share experience and opportunity.

AVIATION AFRICA 2015 aims to bring government and civil aviation authorities; senior airline management; business aviation operators and specialists; financial and industry consultants and leasing companies; airport management and service company management and leaders from maintenance, training and flight support.

The conference and exhibition takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the home of the ‘open skies’, the venue offers easy access to nationals of African countries.

The event is designed to be a meeting place for African aviation business and Middle East business. It creates networking opportunities that can work both ways for the development of markets, access to finance; and the growth of business opportunity.

Royal Jordanian takes delivery of its first Dreamliner

Royal Jordanian has received its first 787 Dreamliner. Today's delivery will play a central role in the Amman-based airline's strategic plan for fleet modernisation. Royal Jordanian acquired this airplane through leasing

Airlines saving lives with trashed leather

Aviation isn't known as the most eco-friendly industry. Carbon emissions aside, running an airline produces an incredible amount of waste. Everything from uneaten food to outdated uniforms is potential landfill fodder.

Southwest Airlines, for one, has decided to do something about it. After a large-scale redesign of many of its 737 aircraft, the carrier found itself with an excess of 80,000 leather seat covers -- enough to fill the Empire State Building.

"We had this idea of 'could we do something with this leather beyond recycling it or shredding it? Could we repurpose it?'" says Marilee McInnis, the airline's senior manager of culture and communications.

Following the advice of Bill Tiffany, a Southwest VP who grew up in Kenya, the airline started looking towards Africa for recipients of the used leather. Rather than just donating the goods and leaving it there, the airline decided to take a more holistic approach, giving the materials to NGOs that will use them to provide job training and health education.

The main partner is SOS Children's Villages Kenya, which is providing paid apprenticeships and training to orphaned youth, who in turn make shoes and soccer balls from the leather. The shoes are given to Maasai Treads, who distributes them as part of a campaign to fight debilitating foot parasites. The soccer balls are donated to Alive & Kicking, a charity that uses sport to educate young people on HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention.

Alive & Kicking uses sport for health education

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"It's really easy to donate and walk away. We didn't want to do that. The leather is finite, but the skills these young people will learn will hopefully take them through their lives," says McInnis.

The redesign was itself an environmental measure. The seats were reupholstered with E-leather, a substance created from scraps the leather industry discards. The material is also lighter, reducing the weight of each aircraft by 600 pounds, and saving on fuel.

An upcycling uptick?

Though Luv Seat is perhaps the largest airline-led upcycling initiative, it is not the first of its kind. When KLM redesigned cabin crew uniforms in 2011, the carrier had the surplus fabric woven into the carpets that lined the business class cabin in the then-new 747-400 fleet. Air France last year had old uniforms recycled into car insulation, and in the past has repurposed plastic meal trays to create cutlery, and used the cables from seat backs to make headphones.

"When we launch a new product, we always ask, 'what is the life cycle of this product and what will we do with it at the end of its life?'" says Sophie Virapin, Air France's vice president of sustainable development.

It's a trend that's only likely to grow.

"This is a new area for us, and with the leather, we're just dipping our toe in the water," explains McInnis.