RC Provides Avionics to Air China

Air China has signed a ten-year maintenance agreement with Collins Aviation Maintenance Services Shanghai Limited (CAMSS), a Rockwell Collins joint venture, to provide service and support for Rockwell Collins equipment on the entire Air China fleet. A corresponding avionics shop cooperation agreement was signed with maintenance provider Ameco, to jointly support the entire Air China's installed base of Rockwell Collins avionics equipment under a price per flight hour program for ten years. The two agreements commenced on Jan. 1, 2010. Additionally, Rockwell Collins plans to establish a global asset management capability in China in mid-2010 that will further support this agreement, as well as other asset-based programs like the Rental/Exchange and Dispatch programs targeted for the Boeing 787, ARJ21 and other aircraft types operated by Chinese carriers.

New HF Voice Service for SE Asia Routes

Effective immediately, air carriers and general aviation operators have a new air/ground voice radio service for communications while operating in the South East Asia region as ARINC declares its new High Frequency (HF) Voice radio station operational at Hat Yai, Thailand. The new HF Voice station was built in cooperation with Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI), ARINC's partner in providing the GLOBALink portfolio of aeronautical communications services. The new station delivers robust coverage to the South East Asia flight region, including the western Pacific, China, India, and all of South East Asia. The new station fills a major communications gap and expands ARINC's Air/Ground International voice radio coverage from the U.S., the Americas, and the Atlantic Ocean across the Pacific Ocean, to include South East and Eastern Asia. ARINC's new Thailand HF Voice station is managed by ARINC radio operators who are on duty around the clock to receive, send, and relay air/ground operational messages. Voice services typically include the delivery of messages by telephone or fax, phone patches between aircraft and ground facilities, and ground-originated calls to aircraft in specific coverage areas. ARINC's operators can also transcribe voice messages into text and send them via ARINC's data network to any network address, aviation business, teletype subscriber, or the International Civil Aviation Organization. Air/Ground International HF voice service complements ARINC's GLOBALink HF and VHF data link services in the region. Aircraft operators may initiate use of Air/Ground International at any time.

EMS Sky Connect Outfits Air Fleet

Carolinas Medical Center (CMC), one of the Southeast's leading healthcare systems, has selected the EMS Sky Connect FLEET Satcom system to provide voice and tracking for each of its aircraft ambulances. The MedCenter Air program, based in Charlotte, NC, operates the air ambulances, which support local, regional, and international health care entities. "We wanted a solution with coverage for aircraft traveling within the Carolinas as well as worldwide coverage for fixed-wing aircraft that travel internationally, offering the ability to both track and talk, all in a standardized system," said Jason Schwebach, , administrative director for MedCenter Air. "In addition to providing reliable service, the EMS Sky Connect equipment will simplify our operations and accounting by unifying all tracking and voice capabilities through a single company. It's a win for everyone. "MedCenter Air maintains a growing fleet of custom-equipped aircraft, including three EC135 helicopters, two King Airs and two Cessna Citations. The EMS Sky Connect FLEET systems provide voice telephone services for flight and medical crews. Aircraft equipped with the FLEET Mission Management Unit (MMU-II) also provide fast two-way text messaging. Each aircraft will also use FLEET's automated tracking system. The aircraft position, flight plans, and text messaging will be displayed to MedCenter Air dispatchers using the Tracker Map(tm) service, which will provide real-time information about aircraft status, intended routes, estimated arrival times, and more. "The EMS Sky Connect Tracker Map communication capability is designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and patient care, enabling the CMC to fulfill its safety and service commitments to hospitals," said Wiley Loughran, senior vice president of sales and marketing for EMS Sky Connect.

Bulgaria Air: Nav Charts from Lufthansa Systems

Bulgaria Air will use Lido/RouteManual, the navigation charts from Lufthansa Systems, for its Airbus and Boeing fleet. The two companies recently signed a five-year-contract to this effect which also includes an option to migrate to the electronic version of the charts (Lido/eRouteManual). The layout, colors and symbols are identical in the paper-based and the electronic version, which will make it easier for Bulgaria Air's pilots to switch to Lido/eRouteManual. With the innovative solution the airline can optimize its flight operations and benefit from the high quality of the Lufthansa Systems navigation charts. The charts are generated directly from the Lido navigation database. They include true-to- scale geographic information such as terrain features and rivers. The charts include airport taxiway charts, approach and takeoff charts, and a seamless worldwide route chart. The value of Lido/RouteManual lies in the easy legibility and the clear structure of the individual charts. This reduces the pilots' workload in the cockpit, especially during key flight situations such as take-off and landing. Bulgaria Air is the national flag carrier of the Republic of Bulgaria.