iPad App

Flight Display Systems, based in Alpharetta, Ga., introduced and installed an Android software application for use with its Select Cabin Management System (CMS). The application allows passengers to control all cabin functions from their mobile phone or tablet computer.

The 7-inch Android-powered tablet controls cabin functions including lighting, window shades, Blu-ray player, movie library and Moving Map. The wireless system operates via Bluetooth for full control anywhere inside the aircraft cabin.

The launch customer for Flight Display Systems’ Android CMS software is an unnamed operator of a Gulfstream III business jet. Visit www.FlightDisplay.com.

PTFE Cable

W.L. Gore & Associates, of Landenberg, Pa., introduced High Flex Flat Cables for the aerospace industry using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) technology.

Low coefficient of friction and “excellent” tear resistance enable the cables to maintain good signal integrity, according to Gore. The flexible material also allows the flat cables to be stacked on top of each other without needing dividers and shelves, reducing the overall size and weight of the cable system.

Visit www.gore.com.

Technical Publications

Avidyne Corp., based in Lincoln, Mass., formed a partnership with Aircraft Technical Publishers (ATP), of Brisbane Calif., to provide single-source, digital, avionics technical publications of Avidyne products for ATP customers.

Visit www.avidyne.com.

European Office

DAC International, of Austin, Texas, has opened a European General Aviation office in Germany.

The Germany office is managed by Klaus H. Eichel and supported by Managers of Sales GA Europe Wolfgang Schwarzer and Sabine Eichel and Support Engineer Achim Baier.

Visit www.dacint.com.

Cold-Applied Splice

Tyco Electronics, of Harrisburg, Pa., introduced a cold-applied splice, which provides both wire termination and environmental sealing in a single step. Sealing is provided without the need for adhesives, tapes, grommets or other methods traditionally used in aerospace and defense applications. Because no heat is needed, the splice can be applied in potentially hazardous places such as in fueled aircraft, according to the company.

The immersible splice prevents water from entering even under permanent pressure or weight. The splice uses a non-flowing gel to provide sealing without mess. The metal splice is tin-plated copper with a transparent polyvinylidene fluoride sleeve and color-coded thermoplastic end caps.

Splices are available in three color-coded sizes for 26 AWG to 12 AWG wire with silver or copper-plate conductors. They are rated for operation from -65°C to +150°C. They meet requirements of SAE-AMS-DTL-23053/8 for insulation sleeve and the current draft of SAE-AS81824/12 (modified for 150°C) crimp splices. Visit www.tycoelectronics.com.

Component Support

The Avianca-TACA group awarded Barfield, a Sabena Technics company based in Miami, a 10-year support contract to provide component support for its fleet of 60 Airbus A320s.

The agreement includes the group’s four airlines: Avianca, TACA, Aerogal and Ocean Air.

In addition, Barfield is setting up repair capabilities in Bogota, Colombia, to better support Grupo Avianca-TACA’s airlines as well as operators in South America.

Visit www.barfieldinc.com

Distributor Agreement

Beaver Aerospace & Defense, of Livonia, Mich., appointed Satair, of Copenhagen, Demark, as a full-line distributor of its FAA-approved commercial aircraft products. Beaver Aerospace & Defense manufactures actuation systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries.

Visit www.beaver-online.com.

Training System

Baltic Aviation Academy in Vilnius, Lithuania, will use computer-based pilot training systems from CPaT, based in The Woodlands, Texas.

The academy said it will introduce CPaT’s library of Flight Training computer-based training (CBT/WBT) courseware and Specialty programs, and Learning Management System (LMS), into its training curriculums.

CPaT’s LMS provides real-time access to learning analytics and reports in order to track the student’s learning process.

Baltic Aviation Academy offers 34 training programs, including type rating training courses for Boeing 737 Classic, Boeing 737 NG, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Saab 340/2000, Airbus A320, ATR 42-72, Embraer 135/145, Bombardier CRJ 100/200 and Bombardier CRJ 700/900, as well as initial pilot training school (FTO) courses. Visit www.balticaa.com.

Voice, Data Services

Members of the oneworld airline alliance –– British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Malév Hungarian Airlines –– have selected SITA to provide voice and data services across their combined fleet of more than 450 aircraft, including the VHF data link mandated by EU Single Sky regulations for air traffic control (ATC) communications.

The five-year agreement will take the airlines past the EU deadline of February 2015, which requires all aircraft flying in Europe, and all EU Air Navigation Service providers, to be equipped for ATC data link capability.

In addition to the SITA VHF data services, the airlines will be able to use satellite services including Inmarsat Classic, SwiftBroadband and Iridium, for operational and passenger use.

British Airways, Iberia and Malév have renewed their existing SITA VHF Data Link services agreement. Finnair will be switching VHF and satellite communications to SITA while Iberia will switch to SITA for its satellite communications. Visit www.sita.aero.

Software-Defined Radio

Elbit Systems, based in Haifa, Israel, launched its latest software-defined airborne radio –– the Tadiran SDR-7200AR. Specifically designed for airborne platforms, the radio system harnesses the power of its distinctive automatic routing and relay capabilities to offer extended range, while offering video, voice and data simultaneously at a high data rate, according to Elbit.

The Tadiran SDR-7200AR is compliant with Software Communications Architecture SCA version 2.2.2. It supports multiple frequency bands, including VHF, UHF, L-Band, S-Band and SATCOM. Visit www.elbitsystems.com.

CMMI Certification

The ARINC engineering team renewed its Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) certification.

ARINC’s GLOBALinkSM Engineering group was recertified for the Capability Maturity Model Integration Level 3 rating. The CMMI Level 3 award follows an assessment of the GLOBALink Engineering group’s process integration and improvement.

ARINC said the assessment was conducted on three key projects developed by the GLOBALink Engineering team — an ACARS turn-key replacement system, ARINC’s ATN (Aeronautical Telecommunications Network) router and ARINC’s central ACARS message processor. Visit www.arinc.com.

Flight Monitoring

Alakai Technologies, Hopkinton, Mass., was awarded FAA supplemental type certification for installation of its digital Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) system and wireless Internet units on Eurocopter AS350 and EC130 helicopters.

According to the company, AS350 operators can now achieve comprehensive airline-style FDM (also known as Flight Operational Quality Assurance) programs at a fraction of the cost.

Alakai’s on-board and backend algorithms turn raw data into objective, actionable recommendations and decisions. The system works with older round-dial as well as the latest glass cockpit aircraft, according to the company.

Visit www.alakai1.com.

MRO Contract

Delta Air Lines’ maintenance division, Delta TechOps, has entered an exclusive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) partnership with GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. As part of the five-year agreement, which includes an additional five-year option, Delta TechOps will provide engine overhauls for a minimum of 50 percent of GOL’s CFM56-7 engines and maintenance services for various parts and components on GOL’s fleet of Boeing 737NGs. 

Delta TechOps also will provide consulting services related to maintenance workflow planning, materials and facility optimization, and tooling support and will assist GOL with its efforts to secure FAA Part 145 Repair Station Certification. In addition, GOL will assist Delta with some line maintenance services for Delta aircraft with extended ground time in Brazil. Visit deltatechops.com

Galley Support

The Greek division of Scandinavian Avionics (SA), based in Billund, Denmark, is offering sales, certification, installation and repair of aircraft galley equipment, including ovens, coffee makers, water boilers and beverage makers.

SA Greece stocks and supplies a range of aircraft galley rotables, expendables and consumables for sale, exchange and loan. Also, repair services are offered from a one-of repair to full support contract for an entire fleet, the company said.

Certification services for any galley equipment solution in any type of aircraft can be carried out from the Scandinavian Avionics headquarters in Billund via the SA Part-21 design department, the company said.

The new capability also allows SA Greece to provide full installation of galley equipment at its own hangar facilities in Greece or at the customer’s preferred location. Visit www.scanav.com.

Software Emulator

AdaCore, of New York City, released GNATemulator, a flexible emulator system for testing embedded software applications. The system allows software developers to compile code directly for their target architecture and run it on their host platform, through an approach that translates from the target object code to native instructions on the host. This avoids the inconvenience and cost of managing an actual board, while offering an efficient testing environment compatible with the final hardware.

The GNATemulator cannot be used for all aspects of testing, but does provide an efficient, cost-effective way of executing the target code very early and very broadly in the development and verification process, according to AdaCore.

Visit www.adacore.com.

Paris Headquarters

Rockwell Collins opened a new Paris headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The office is led by Bruno Rambaud, vice president and managing director. Visit www.rockwellcollins.com.

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