Aircraft IT Operations V11.1 Spring 2022

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations CASE STUDIES: LOGANAIR • PLAY

SURVEY: AIRCRAFT IT 2022 SURVEY

SPRING 2022 • V11.1

Aircraft IT 2022 survey: insights and fresh priorities How the Pandemic has impacted IT adoption intentions

Flight Planning solution renewed at Loganair

Sometimes there is no need to change what works

Paperless documentation from the outset at PLAY

Adopting an established solution to manage manuals

NEWS • VENDOR FLIGHT LOGS: ASAP • LOGIPAD BY DEXTRADATA • LUFTHANSA SYSTEMS



AIRCRAFT IT Operations: WELCOME

COMMENT Aircraft IT Operations: with changing times come changing priorities and the need to find suitable solutions AIRCRAFT IT Operations Publisher/Editor Ed Haskey E-mail: ed.haskey@aircraftit.com Telephone: +44 1273 454 235 Website: www.aircraftIT.com Chief Operating Officer Scott Leslie E-mail: scott.leslie@aircraftit.com Copy Editor/Contributor John Hancock E-mail: john@aircraftit.com Magazine Production Dean Cook E-mail: deancook@magazineproduction.com AircraftIT Operations is published bi-monthly and is an affiliate of Aircraft Commerce and part of the AviationNextGen Ltd group. The entire contents within this publication © Copyright 2021 AviationNextGen Ltd an independent publication and not affiliated with any of the IT vendors or suppliers. Content may not be reproduced without the strict written agreement of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of their companies or of the publisher. The publisher does not guarantee the source, originality, accuracy, completeness or reliability of any statement, information, data, finding, interpretation, advice, opinion, or view presented.

WORDS: ED HASKEY

I

t used to be said of London buses that you’d wait for an hour for one to come along but then three or four would arrive at once. Today that might also be true for global crises. And, as if that wasn’t enough, the climate emergency has gone from very worrying to critical with an accompanying host of regulatory requirements. Business, likes consistency and predictability; two qualities that have been in short supply in recent times and, in that, commercial aviation has been hit harder than most. As we emerge from the COVID pandemic and demand starts to grow back, airlines’ Operations divisions will get busier, not only with the volume of passengers and freight to be carried but also with the need to cope with external pressures. What were once considered optimal and/or safe routes are now constrained by wars, by sanctions and even, sometimes, by volcanic activity. But the over-riding needs to be efficient, clean, punctual and, above all, safe remain unchanged. Similarly, older, less-efficient aircraft need to be replaced by modern, cleaner, more intelligent and more expensive machines. And airlines still need to make a profit. Much of the responsibility to make all of this happen will fall on the Operations division who need to ensure that aircraft are properly loaded, carry as little weight as possible, work efficiently and fly the safest and most economical route available. While calculations written onto a sheaf of paperwork might once have done the job, today, and more than ever in a post-COVID world, IT

solutions, including paperless and mobile, are indispensable components in any successful Operations division. This issue includes the first Aircraft IT survey since 2019 and it makes fascinating reading inasmuch as it reveals a major shift in airline priorities from ‘Operations IT solutions would be nice to have’, to ‘we have to have Operations IT solutions.’ We’re also looking at a new ‘hub and spoke’ low-cost carrier, PLAY, operating services between Europe and North America from main centers and from less well served places. As a new airline, PLAY has been paperless from the outset and the case study explains how the solution they use was selected and implemented. There is also a great case study from Loganair who have been using the same Flight Planning and related software solution for more than fifteen years. Theirs is a complex AOC serving one of the world’s few beach runways and the world’s shortest commercial sector as well as national and international services. Read about what it is that has kept the partnership with their solution vendor fresh and valuable over that time. There are also three Vendor Flight Logs from ASAP (Automated Systems in Aircraft Performance), Logipad by DextraData and Lufthansa Systems as well as the regular round-up of news and technology developments: plus, of course, the comprehensive ‘Operations Software Directory’. Aircraft IT Operations keeping you up-to-date with changing priorities, challenges and the solutions to address them.

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 3



AIRCRAFT IT Operations: V11.1

CONTENTS 06 Latest News and Technology updates

52 VENDOR FLIGHT LOG: ASAP

Keeping up with what is happening in a complex and evolving business world is a challenge. At Aircraft IT Operations or here in the Aircraft IT Operations e-journal the latest developments are sorted and ready to read.

36 CASE STUDY: A flight planning solution that works for Loganair Owen Purday, Senior Flight Support Officer at Loganair shares the values of the airline’s long relationship with its Flight Planning solution Why Loganair has stayed with their flight planning solution for more than fifteen years and have renewed the partnership again this year: a tale of customer satisfaction for an airline with a complex AOC.

42 VENDOR FLIGHT LOG: Lufthansa Systems Manuel van Esch lets us into how taking a human-centered approach has helped Lufthansa Systems’ zeroG unlock the power of data for customers In our first Q&A piece, Manuel van Esch, Lead Business Consultant, zeroG — AI in Aviation, Lufthansa Systems completes his ‘Flight Log’ for Aircraft IT.

46 SURVEY: Aircraft IT 2022 Survey on Optimization Platforms and new IT Technologies A powerful insight into how the aviation sector’s plans with regard to IT have developed during the years of pandemic The 2022 Aircraft IT survey, sponsored by and conducted in late 2021 by Alton Aviation Consultancy offers readers some powerful insights to how the Pandemic has impacted on IT adoption intentions and priorities.

Cecil Teets shares the key principles of excellent and consistent aircraft performance information with great customer service that drive Automated Systems in Aircraft Performance In another Q&A piece, Cecil W. Teets — President/CEO, Automated Systems in Aircraft Performance, Inc., completes his ‘Flight Log’ for Aircraft IT.

54 The world according to IT and me Paul Saunders sees serverless computing as the next big step into the future After a break of six years, we’re pleased to welcome back Paul Saunders and his pithy take of the world of IT. We’re in the middle of a serverless technological revolution, but Paul doesn’t think many people appreciate it.

56 CASE STUDY: Going paperless from the start at PLAY When PLAY launched, the plan was to keep things simple and paperless: Finnbogi Karl Bjarnason, Director Flight Operations, Operations at PLAY explains how that was achieved When PLAY launched as a new low-cost carrier, they wanted to keep everything simple and clean so it was natural to start off with all manuals and documents in paperless form: this is how that was achieved.

62 VENDOR FLIGHT LOG: Logipad by DextraData Anne Gibson shares the secret of DextraData’s success through the ability to adapt the Logipad EFF & EFB solution for the needs of each customer In our final Q&A piece, Anne Gibson, Business Consultant Software at DextraData completes her ‘Flight Log’ for Aircraft IT.

64 Operations Software directory A detailed look at the world’s leading Operations IT systems.

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 5


NEWS

NEW VENDORS JOIN AIRCRAFT IT OPERATIONS We are pleased to welcome new members to the Aircraft IT Vendors’ Panel. Leon Software offers a cloud-based scheduling software for managing workflow, keeping track of all schedule and crew changes, and acting as a central source of various information within the business. They are delivering a web-based, flexible solution. Sales, Crew, OPS and Maintenance departments can find the useful tools that they need, all in one place. It is Aircraft Scheduling for Corporate Flight Departments & Management Companies. Leon Software excels in delivering an advanced cloud-based solution for the aviation business, including scheduled and cargo operators, business aviation, trip support companies and brokers. From flight OPS and crew management to charter sales, Leon offers a scheduling solution. Tomorrow.io enables airlines to adjust flight operations for any weather conditions, reduce billion-dollar delays, and minimize safety risks. Their platform displays over 30 different weather and air quality parameters, and includes an interactive map that helps you visualize incoming weather risks to understand the impact at every airport. To improve global forecasting technology and capabilities, Tomorrow.io has designed proprietary radar-equipped satellites and will begin launching dozens into space over the coming years. Their small-satellite constellation will be a first in the history of the weather

industry, and bring critical weather radar coverage across the globe, including over oceans. This innovation will dramatically improve flight planning capabilities for transoceanic flights, leading to reductions in fuel consumption and enhancements in safety for flights around the world. Skypath is world’s leading turbulence and auto-PIREPs data service provider. The company’s alert system improves cabin safety and cuts airline operating costs. Established in 2015, SkyPath, is a one-of-a-kind software-only solution which provides unique turbulence data based on smart patented algorithm. SkyPath already has more than 30K subscribers, including major US airlines. Airlines using SkyPath join a larger crowdsourcing network, and gain access to turbulence mapping generated using SkyPath’s patented AI technology and real time airborne data collection. The Flightman solution suite enables airlines to streamline their operational processes across Flight Operations, Maintenance and Inflight Services. Transforming data into meaningful insights. Welcoming the new vendors to the panel, Scott Leslie, Chief Operating Officer at Aircraft IT said, “We are always pleased to welcome new members, such as Leon Software, Tomorrow.io, Skypath and Flightman to add to our Vendor Panel.”

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 6


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Digital LI/R — the modern Load Control and Ramp Communication While safety and on time performance are playing an important role in flight operations, the development and availability of software solutions to improve the aircraft loading process and synchronize communication between key stakeholders is a vital for the Weight & Balance process. Evionica, well known for its fast and easy to use passenger and cargo aircraft Weight & Balance solutions, confirmed in late February 2022 that is continuing to develop a mobile app for Digital LI/R. This new solution for ground handling operations aims to accelerate data exchange and simplify the decision making process. It enables real-time synchronization and communication between Load Control and Ramp Agents/Loadmasters. “Digital LI/R will assure our operations are safer and paperless. It works on mobile phone that is innovative and Evionica will continue to improve our Safety Performance Results.” said Maciej Zochowski, Wizz Air, Regional Ground Operations Manager. How Digital LI/R will improve Weight & Balance operations: Seamless communication between Load Controller and Ramp Agent/Loadmaster; Always up to date Loading Instructions; In place trim validation prior change request; Accessible on mobile phone — on any device with a web browser; Low-bandwidth internet Seamless interaction between Ramp Agent/Loadmaster and Load Controller connection optimized. Digital LI/R’s intuitive interface is designed to receive, monitor and confirm payload information and review the most up-to-date information, allowing seamless payload confirmation. A live trim validation and consistent communication ensure that compliance is followed. The mobile application works even with low-bandwidth internet connection. “While Evionica is highly committed to safety, performance and excellence, we are proud that our Digital LI/R is allowing a greener and more safe Weight & Balance process.‘’ said Mateusz Godun, CEO Evionica. Evionica’s Digital LI/R app will be available to showcase during the upcoming EMEA MRO & Flight Ops IT Conference on 8th & 9th June in London. AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 8


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NEWS

NAVBLUE reinforces its partnership with CommutAir providing N-Ops & Crew and N-Flight Planning solutions The US-based regional airline CommutAir announced in midNovember 2021 that it had signed a contract with NAVBLUE to implement N-Ops & Crew (N-OC) and N-Flight Planning (N-FP). CommutAir, which currently uses N-Preferential Bidding System (N-PBS) for both pilots and cabin crew, will enhance their operational productivity with the N-OC and N-FP solutions by enhancing and automating the workflow between departments while reducing costs. Additionally, as all stakeholders will have access to information in real-time, the OCC collaborative decision making will be improved. N-Ops & Crew will enable CommutAir to manage long term planning as well as day-of-ops on a single platform. It will enable the airline to plan and distribute their network schedules and maintain full operations control with configurable operating rules, as well as manage and optimize crew schedule planning, day-of-ops crew control, crew training and qualifications, and crew mobile access. N-Flight Planning, the fully scalable web-based flight plan optimization solution, will allow CommutAir to create the safest and most cost-effective routes for their operations. Integration AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 10

with N-OC will offer quick response times for day-of operation changes and ensure everyone in the OCC is on the same page. Thomas Lagaillarde, Vice President Product Portfolio & Programmes at NAVBLUE, said: “It is a privilege for NAVBLUE to extend our partnership with CommutAir and provide them with our N-Ops & Crew and N-Flight Planning solutions. CommutAir will be able to significantly improve their operational efficiency while reducing costs. We are sure N-Ops & Crew and N-Flight Planning will be a game changer for CommutAir and we will assist them at every stage to ensure they fully benefit from these solutions. NAVBLUE looks forward to continuing our collaboration and supporting CommutAir Flight Operations strategic objectives and activities, now and into the future.” CommutAir: Founded in 1989, CommutAir operates as United Express. The business is majority-owned by Champlain Enterprises, Inc. and 40% owned by United Airlines, Inc. CommutAir operates ~1,500 weekly flights to more than 50 destinations in the US and Canada, using the Embraer ERJ145 aircraft, from bases in Houston, Denver, and Washington, Dulles. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website


NEWS

Swedish Air Ambulance – KSA – takes off with IQSMS

The most complete Dispatch & EFB

In early December 2021, ASQS announced a collaboration with the Swedish air ambulance organization Kommunalförbundet Svenskt Ambulansflyg (KSA). The newly established alliance, Swedish Air Ambulance, is an association of the 21 Swedish provinces with the aim of providing equal access to quality healthcare for the Swedish population. “By deciding to work with our integrated Safety and Quality Management System IQSMS, KSA takes a systematic approach to risk and safety from day one of operations. The possibility to centrally manage safety, risk and compliance management data with a single integrated tool was a contributing factor in KSA’s decision to implement IQSMS” said Lourdes Cervantes, Project Manager at ASQS A soft-operational start in November 2021 at Umeå Airport in northern Sweden, where the office and joint coordination are located, will be followed by Arlanda and Landvetter no later than February 2022. KSA has procured six Pilatus PC24 jets, as this is the ideal aircraft for unprepared short field operations. To maintain a high level of patient safety, Swedish Air Ambulance decided to implement the IQSMS standard set up, consisting of the Quality-, Risk- and Reporting Module, as well as the Flight Risk Modules and the offline Reporting and Auditor Apps. A national air ambulance service is a positive development not only for Swedish residents, but also for the aviation industry worldwide, as it demonstrates the tremendous value of coordination and coordinated use of shared resources. “We are proud to contribute to this important progress and to support KSA with our aviation safety expertise in their goal to improve patient care and safety in the air medical service” said Günther Schindl, CEO at ASQS.

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 11

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NEWS

FLYHT’s AFIRS Edge Adds Iridium Certus® Capability

The right data at the right time, every single flight...

In early December 2021, FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. announced that it is extending its AFIRS Edge™ avionics product by adding IoT (Internet of Things) data capture and real-time connectivity for aircraft in-flight. The Iridium Certus® 100 service, which was announced as commercially available by Iridium on November 10, 2021, will provide the Edge with real-time, global coverage for data transmissions. The next generation AFIRS Edge is expected to be available to FLYHT customers in early 2022. The AFIRS Edge is FLYHT’s industry leading 5G (3G/4G/LTE compatible) Wireless Quick Access Recorder (WQAR), Aircraft Interface Device (AID) and edge computing platform. This Iridium Certus Midband Internet Protocol (IP) satcom device bolsters FLYHT’s real-time Actionable Intelligence capabilities. With the addition of the Iridium Certus link, customers are expected to benefit from real-time, in-flight access to hundreds of aircraft parameters, IoT sensor data, and on-wing execution of machine learning models. The IP data link feature extends FLYHT’s cloud native capabilities to the aircraft and includes the ability to host third party data focused applications on-wing. The lightweight, small footprint AFIRS Edge is applicable to aircraft of all sizes, from regional aircraft to transcontinental jets. Last year FLYHT introduced the Actionable Intelligence suite of SaaS applications to provide real-time insights to help the commercial aviation industry operate more efficiently and profitably as it recovers from the global pandemic. This solution set leverages the Company’s proven history of collecting, analyzing and reporting aircraft operational data in real-time. Throughout the pandemic FLYHT has been executing on this plan and continuing to support customers. The AFIRS Edge will provide customers with situational awareness and Actionable Intelligence solutions throughout the duration of all flights. For more information on the AFIRS Edge, visit FLYHT’s website. Aerospace Solutions Ltd: FLYHT provides airlines with Actionable Intelligence to transform operational insight into immediate, quantifiable action, delivering industry leading solutions to improve aviation safety, efficiency and profitability. This unique capability is driven by FLYHT’s patented aircraft certified hardware products including AFIRS™, a satcom aircraft interface device which enables real-time streaming of flight information, cockpit voice and black box data streaming, AFIRS Edge, a state-of-the-art 5G WQAR and satellite data communications device, and TAMDAR™ and the FLYHT-WVSS-II™, which deliver airborne weather and humidity data in real-time. FLYHT is headquartered in Calgary, Canada with an office in Littleton, Colorado, and is an AS9100 Quality registered company. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 12


NEWS

Frontier Airlines Signs Agreement with FLYHT

The World’s Weather Intelligence Platform In early December 2021, FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. announced an agreement with Frontier Airlines to equip Frontier’s near-term deliveries of A320 and A321 aircraft with FLYHT’s AFIRS solution, enabling Frontier to optimize its over water routes. By gaining access to real-time fleet information through FLYHT’s solutions, Frontier aims to improve operational efficiencies in both flight and ground operations, including reducing flying time and the associated fuel burn, while enhancing customer satisfaction. Ben Dwyer, Director Flight Ops Standards & QA at Frontier, stated, “Frontier’s partnership with FLYHT is another key step in our effort to reduce our carbon footprint by decreasing fuel consumption and further our position as America’s Greenest Airline. The real-time aircraft data that comes from FLYHT’s AFIRS family of products will also enhance communications with our flight crews as well as the customer experience by reducing flying time. We selected FLYHT after an extensive search of all available solutions in the marketplace.”

Derek Taylor, VP Sales and Marketing of FLYHT, added, “The addition of Frontier, a well-regarded airline, to our family of customers expands our client roster to more than 85 airlines globally. The operations at Frontier are an area in which we have a lot of experience, and the entrepreneurial nature of Frontier fits well with FLYHT’s agile problemsolving culture for both airborne hardware and day of operations intelligence systems. We look forward to expanding our service offerings with Frontier and are thrilled to have a customer in the hometown of our U.S. office in Littleton, Colorado. Our team there will be working closely with the great people at Frontier in making the most of all of our solutions.” This initial order is valued at USD $680,000. Frontier Airlines: Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Frontier operates more than 100 A320 family aircraft and has the largest A320neo fleet in the U.S. serving approximately 120 destinations in the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 13

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NEWS

Bees Airline chooses Bytron flight dispatch software As announced in mid-December 2021, Bees Airline, a new and exciting Ukrainian low-cost carrier airline, is one of the latest to integrate skybook flight dispatch software as their preferred solution, into their flight operations. The Flight dispatch system is being utilized for Bees Airline to access essential flight information and will be starting in use with its fleet of four Boeing 737-800 next generation aircraft. Bees Airline is the newest scheduled airline in Ukraine and will be flying to an increasing number of international countries.

Managing airline flight data efficiently

As well as the flight dispatch software, other skybook ground portal modules Bees airlines have implemented include the invaluable Sector Briefing and Record Vault ensuring high levels of compliance. This combination of aviation software will help their operations and dispatch team to: • Manage and dispatch flights efficiently; • Track key segments of each flight progress; • Create and deliver a digital flight briefing pack pdf; • Access the lateast METAR and TAF data; • Use the latest NOTAM information; • Store and access previous briefing pack data. AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 14

Having implemented the flight dispatch software, provides Bees Airlines with a thorough flight operation system that will ensure their airline’s systems run smoothly and efficiently. What that will mean is that the Ukraine airline team can focus on achieving their overall performance targets and providing a fantastic service. By choosing Bytron Aviation Systems, Bees Airline will be reassured in knowing that they’ll receive high service level agreements and Bytron guarantees a 99.9% up time with their aviation software, as well as the 24/7 technical support and regular contact from their account manager. Bytron is an extension of the airline’s team. A spokesperson for Bytron added, “We are really thrilled to provide our skybook flight dispatch to Bees Airlines, an up-and-coming Ukrainian airline that has a fleet of vibrant aircraft and a forward-thinking brand. We look forward to working closely, providing support for them and seeing what else skybook aviation software can achieve for their operations in the future.


NEWS

SunExpress Airlines enables more efficient authoring and delivery of smart content with Comply365 platform In early February 2022, Aviation software frontline crew members will have access to the developer and vendor Comply365 was pleased to appropriate information they need based on their role, announce its newest customer, SunExpress will location, or other attributes, providing a more soon leverage a more efficient and streamlined personalized and relevant experience that’s process to create and deliver smart content to its unattainable with PDF documentation or less-capable frontline crews. HTML solutions. Comply365’s mobile app will SunExpress, a leisure carrier based in Antalya, automate compliance tracking for the 3,500 users at Turkey, recently selected ProAuthor, Comply365’s SunExpress and equip frontline employees with end-to-end operational content and compliance electronic forms to send data to the operations staff, management system that enables faster, more routine to enable data-driven decisions. manual revisions, and enables airlines to always be “We warmly welcome SunExpress as the first audit-ready. Turkish airline in the Comply365 community, and we While SunExpress has already been digitally look forward to a strong partnership together,” delivering operational content to its pilots and flight Comply365 CEO Tom Samuel said. “While SunExpress attendants, the airline needed a better way to manage has already seen success with digital delivery of the authoring and distribution process. By getting operational content, 1the 1/26/22 flexibility of ourAMsolutions ai164321168818_skedflex-flight-planning_ad-aircraftIT_01.26.22.pdf 8:41 smart content right at their fingertips, SunExpress provides value to airlines in every stage of the digital

transformation journey — providing them with the ability to further improve the efficiency, safety, and compliance of their operations.” Comply365: Comply365 is a leading provider of enterprise SaaS and mobile solutions for content management and document distribution in highly regulated industries including aviation, rail, and energy. SunExpress Airlines: Founded as a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines in 1989, SunExpress offers numerous direct connections between Europe and Turkey. SunExpress’s headquarters is located in Antalya with another key hub in Izmir on Turkey’s Aegean coast. The company’s second headquarters is located in Frankfurt am Main. SunExpress operates a fleet of more than 50 Boeing 737-800/-8 aircraft. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

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Product Manager, Business Aviation SaaS Jet Aviation Staffing, on behalf of our venture capital backed client, are looking for Product Managers to be remotely based anywhere in the United States. The company provides modern operational and financial software for the global business aviation industry, currently used by operators of 2,000+ business and government aircraft in 25+ countries. They help aircraft operators: • Aggregate aircraft data from multiple systems in a single data warehouse;

• Save thousands of hours every month by automating common business processes, e.g., aircraft owner billing statement (invoice) preparation; • Improve profitability and enhance decision-making by introducing fleet-wide analytics and reporting. They help aircraft owners: • Gain access to their aircraft’s data, e.g., plane and crew schedules, financials, upcoming maintenance, subscriptions, budgets, and documents; • Perform self-service, e.g., by requesting flights and approving charter requests. Unique opportunity: • In 2021, in addition to our core

platform, we are working in partnership with some of the leading private jet operators in the world on several new strategic initiatives; • You will work closely with cofounders and customers to execute on new initiatives and enhance our existing platform, with short development cycles and immediate customer impact; • Help them grow into the leading financial & analytics platform for business aviation. Stability: • We are both well-funded and profitable; • Led by a seasoned executive team. Harvard Business School and

Berkeley graduates. Founded a Y Combinator company before (GetGoing, acquired in 2016). Grew a business to $1B in annual sales. Developed one of Time Magazine’s ‘50 Best Websites’. Portside Series A was led by Tiger Global. We are looking for a product manager to help us develop strategic new

Enhance your digital briefing before and during all flight phases ▪ Native iOS solution ▪ Use modular briefing packages ▪ User friendly interface for increasement of situational awareness Request a demo

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 16


NEWS

software modules and critical customer-requested enhancements. The product and engineering team is currently ~30 strong (and growing). They use a modern technology stack, including: • Infrastructure: Amazon Web Services (AWS); • Back-end: Python, Django, PostgreSQL; • Front-end: JavaScript, React, Typescript; • Devops: Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform; • Monitoring: Kibana, Sentry, LogRocket, Pagerduty, Prometheus, Grafana; • Custom reporting: Jaspersoft Studio; • Communication & design: JIRA, Confluence, Slack, Figma. What you will do: • Establish strong professional relationships with co-founders, product team, customers, designers and engineers to collaboratively build and then own significant parts of our growing product portfolio; • Connect technical and business worlds; • Break down complex problems into manageable parts ready for development; • Understand customer pain points, and own and oversee development through the entire life cycle of designing, prototyping, developing, testing, shipping and supporting a solution. Who you are: • You are a true ‘roll up your sleeves, take responsibility and get code

shipped’ product owner. You know how to hustle to get things done. You are most likely coming from a start-up, where you had sole responsibility for building and shipping a complex product; you may have co-founded a software start-up before or were the first / sole product manager. • You are very analytical. You like solving complex puzzles. • You like working with data and have managed complex API integrations in the past. • You are great with writing specs and technical documentation. • You are an excellent communicator and can explain complex concepts in simple terms. • Last but not least, you are selfdriven, well organized, curious, and tenacious. You ask a lot of questions, dig deep, and come up with creative solutions. You execute reliably and with a great sense of ownership and accountability. • Interest in or passion for aviation are a big plus. If you understand Part 135/91, even better. What we offer: • A high-impact job with a unique opportunity to wear many hats, quick professional growth and lots of learning opportunities. • Ability to work remotely anywhere in the US PST – EST time zones. • Competitive salary, benefits, and stock options. For more details and information on how to apply please email Neil Engerran here. AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 17


NEWS

Frontier Airlines expands AvioBook program with implementation of phase II.

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Frontier Airlines, America’s Greenest Airline, shows its on-going trust in AVIOBOOK solutions with the launch of phase II in mid-December 2021. Increasing the number of modules used as part of AVIOBOOK Flight, and trialing AVIOBOOK Connect, is set to further facilitate pilots’ workflow and the exchange of information. Following the successful go-live of AVIOBOOK’s Electronic Flight Folder in 2020, Frontier Airlines is expanding its partnership with AVIOBOOK to further its on-going efforts to improve efficiency and deliver environmentally friendly operations. With all pilots already trained and using the suite of applications, the next stage is set to bring further improvements to flight operations by expanding the scope of functionality. AVIOBOOK’s FAA approved iPad application gives crews an intuitive dashboard with all the information required for their flight, including the regulatory Dispatch Release, meaning that they no longer have to be printed at the gate. This saves Frontier the printing of over 10 million pages of paper per year and thousands of gallons of fuel per year. In the first phase, Frontier saw how AVIOBOOK ensures pilots have access to the latest flight plan and weather data when they need it, aiding on-time departures and faster recoveries in the case of

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 18

disruptions. The positive feedback from users, coupled with concrete operational benefits, has led to the implementation of phase II. It will see Frontier provide pilots with tools to better manage EFB workflow, facilitate access to practical airport information and boost real-time communication between all flight stakeholders. Built upon a decade of experience, AVIOBOOK is a reliable solution that differentiates itself through its deep back-office integration and extensive user-driven functionalities. From advanced delay reporting, analytics and irregular event management, the new functionalities opened up with the expanded scope of phase II will not only ensure the right information is in the right hands but further boost Frontier operations. Together, Frontier and AVIOBOOK are working to achieve the next phase in the airline’s digital transformation. AVIOBOOK, a Thales Group company: Acquired by the Thales Group company in 2016, AVIOBOOK has maintained its start-up agility and reactivity while benefiting from the support of a worldwide leader in avionics, telecommunications, and cybersecurity, bolstered by a unique experience in designing and deploying secure and robust digital solutions. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website


NEWS

Bytron Aviation lands Flybe Contract In early January 2022, it was announced that Flybe has selected Bytron Aviation Systems as their flight operations software provider. As a web-based software and app business, the UK based company will provide their flagship software called skybook to Flybe’s flight dispatch and flight operations team, including the electronic flight bag application for their pilots on flight deck. Trusted by over 90 leading airlines and aerospace companies globally, Bytron Aviation Systems provides operational efficiencies and is helping to digitally transform airlines. Flybe will be joining their impressive range of clients, such as Boeing, Flydubai and AirTanker. Edward Pomfrett, Flight Operations Systems Engineer at Flybe Ltd said: “Flybe is looking forward to restarting operations with Bytron’s skybook platform at the heart of our flight deck systems. We have committed to breaking with the expensive, unsustainable paper-based systems of the past and moving to a fully paperless flight deck. Having considered the offerings from a variety of vendors, skybook was our clear favourite, as it met our requirements and also allowed for quick integration with our existing AIMS and PPS platforms. Throughout the setup, the support from our account managers at Bytron has been excellent. They have helped us to overcome numerous challenges and setup a

fully integrated EFF system in a matter of weeks. This is now delivering immediate cost and resource savings to the business. Over the longer-term, the wealth of data from skybook will also greatly enhance our business insight and commercial strategy.“ Shane Spencer, Chief executive officer, Bytron Aviation Systems added: “We are delighted that Flybe chose to onboard as a skybook customer. It is fantastic to hear that they are already seeing the benefits of our software and embracing a more digital workflow. We look forward to our ongoing relationship and bringing more efficiencies in the future.”

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Vistair’s continued strong growth supported by evolution of its leadership team • • • • • • •

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Vistair, a leading provider of Content, Safety and Data Management solutions to the global aviation industry, announced in mid-January that it has opened 2022 with a number of leadership promotions to support ongoing growth and success. Ian Herbert, one of the two founders, will move from his role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Vice Chairman, taking on a more strategic advisory role. Rob Morgan, former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will become CEO effective from 1 January 2022. Ian Herbert, Vice Chairman at Vistair commented: “It has been a tremendous honour to serve as the CEO of Vistair since founding the company, and I am incredibly proud of everything our team has accomplished together in the last 20 years. “Over the last five years, Rob has worked closely with me and my fellow founder David Hedley, helping to grow Vistair’s capabilities and teams to proactively support our global partner base. Rob has been so much part of what I have been doing that it will be a very easy and seamless transition for Vistair. I cannot imagine anyone better than Rob to take over the role of CEO and I am very confident in the future of Vistair under his leadership.” David Hedley will transition from his current role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to the role of Chief Innovation Officer. This will allow him to devote more time to ensuring that DocuNet remains at the cutting edge and delivering other high-impact technologies for Vistair’s partners. Wayne Enis will move into the CTO role, taking on Vistair’s Technology function as well as leading the Professional Services teams. Johnny Bray will succeed Rob in the role of CFO. Johnny has been at the heart of Vistair’s finance and operations since 2017, as well as working closely with Vistair’s partners. Johnny will continue to help execute Vistair’s strategy and ensure Vistair’s partners continue to receive the capability and service they expect. “I have worked with Ian and Vistair from its birth in 2001, and the Vistair team have built a hugely well-deserved market reputation for innovation and service excellence. It has been very rewarding to see the team grow and flourish, our solutions continue to evolve, and the relationships with our partners continue to deepen and expand. “Both Wayne and Johnny have had a hugely positive impact across our business, and will play important roles ensuring Vistair continues to deliver success for our partners within ever changing markets. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 20


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AVIOBOOK entrusted to digitize flight operations of three more airlines for an additional 300 tails AVIOBOOK announced in mid-January 2022 that the business has passed a huge milestone in its growth and development, reaching over 2600 tails using AVIOBOOK’s suite of applications. Despite difficult economic conditions in the aviation industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, AVIOBOOK has proved that its robust and reliable suite of applications can bring concrete business benefits to airlines around the world. The company is thus positioning itself as the practical solution for EFB software that will support airlines in the post-pandemic recovery. The broad portfolio of new customers demonstrates the appeal of AVIOBOOK’s solutions. In India, low-cost carrier IndiGo has chosen AVIOBOOK for its fleet of more than 275 aircraft to support its operations as the largest airline in the country by market share. And two members of the IndiGo Partners Group, JetSMART in South America and Lynx Air in Canada, saw in AVIOBOOK a strong partner to help accompany their rapid growth plans. Built on a decade of experience, AVIOBOOK is a proven solution that differentiates itself through its deep back-office integration and extensive userdriven functionalities. AVIOBOOK’s experience in the development of adaptable and flexible solutions, with previous implementations at more than 60 airlines around the world, has been key to ensuring the success of these projects. AVIOBOOK is proud to welcome all three airlines to the AVIOBOOK community. IndiGo: IndiGo is amongst the fastest growing low-cost carriers in the world. IndiGo has a simple philosophy: offer fares that are affordable, flights that are on time, offering a courteous, hygienic, and hassle-free travel experience. With its fleet of more than 275 aircraft, the airline operates over 1,500 daily flights and connects 71 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations. JetSMART: Founded in 2016, JetSMART Airlines is an Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier with principal operations in Chile and Argentina. The Company serves 33 destinations and operates a fleet of 20 Airbus A320-family aircraft with an order for additional 79 Airbus A320-family aircraft. JetSMART’s customers benefit from an expansive route network with many routes not offered by competing airlines. Lynx Air: Lynx Air (Lynx), formerly Enerjet, is Canada’s newest ultra-affordable airline. Headquartered in Calgary, Lynx is on a mission to make air travel accessible to all, with low fares, a fleet of brand-new Boeing 737 aircraft and great customer service. Lynx is a privately owned Canadian airline with the financial backing and industry expertise required to transform the Canadian aviation landscape. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 21

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Spring Airlines Japan goes live with NAVBLUE’s N-Flight Planning and N-Ops & Crew Lite

Frontier Airlines extends their partnership with NAVBLUE selecting Flysmart+

In early January 2022, Spring Airlines Japan, the Japanese low-cost carrier (LCC), went live with NAVBLUE’s N-Flight Planning and N-Ops & Crew Lite solutions to optimize their operations. Spring Airlines Japan was looking for a cost-efficient solution to boost their OCC productivity and improve their flight operations. N-Flight Planning was the perfect solution to reduce cost operations and optimize flight plans further. The solution N-Ops & Crew Lite will empower Spring Airlines Japan with the ability to plan and distribute their network schedules, maintain full operations control with configurable operating rules, as well as manage and optimize crew schedule planning, day-of-ops crew control, crew training and qualifications, and crew mobile access. Spring Airlines Japan: Spring Airlines Japan is a low-cost carrier with headquarters in Narita, Japan. The airline has been part of Japan Airlines (JAL) Group since April 2021 and operates six B737 aircraft.

Frontier Airlines, a NAVBLUE N-PBS customer since 2019, announced in early February 2022 that it has signed up for NAVBLUE’s electronic flight bag, Flysmart+. The package includes EFB management services to support the administration of Flysmart+ for Frontier Airlines. Flysmart+ will allow Frontier Airlines to switch to paperless operations and to optimize aircraft performance and Weight & Balance calculations. This Flysmart+ version has been specifically designed for North American operators to comply with their local regulatory requirements and replaces paper performance charts as part of the ‘EFB as Standard Ops’ Airbus project. Frontier will use Flysmart+ as a primary source for in-flight performance calculations and secondary for landing calculations. Flysmart+ entry into service will start in the first quarter of 2022.

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NAVBLUE launches Electronic Terrain and Obstacles Database (eTOD) to enhance safety and increase flight efficiency Combining years of experience manipulating Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and collecting obstacle data for its flight procedure design activities, NAVBLUE announced in late January 2022 that it has leveraged Airbus Defence & Space assets to deliver electronic Terrain & Obstacle Data: eTOD. NAVBLUE’s eTOD helps Airports and Air Navigation Service Providers to deliver high quality information to operators and other stakeholders in order to enhance safety and increase efficiency of flights. As per International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidance, eTOD will be provided by State Aeronautical Information Services (AIS). eTOD supports a wide range of aviation applications, such as: • Determination of contingency procedures for use in the event of an emergency during a missed approach or take-off; • Aircraft operating limitations analysis; • Instrument flight procedure design; • Determination of en-route ‘drift down’ procedures and en-route emergency landing location; • Transition from AIS to AIM (Aeronautical chart production and on-board databases);

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• Flight simulators; • Unmanned Aerodromes Synthetic Vision; • Aerodrome / Heliport Obstacle restriction and removal. NAVBLUE uses state of the art data capture and production capability to deliver eTOD for Areas 1 to 4, meeting the ICAO Annex 15 definition describing the areas and requirements for accuracy and resolution. Area 1 is the entire country, Area 2abcd is the vicinity around the airport, Area 3 is the area around the runways and taxiways and Area 4 the small area at the end of the runway when using ILS CAT II or III W. NAVBLUE will benefit from in-house access to Pléiades high-resolution optical Earth observation satellite and other optical or radar satellite sensors operated by Airbus Defence & Space. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 23

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Ultra Air selects NAVBLUE Flight Ops solutions for their Entry Into Service • The airline will benefit from full suite of Flight Operations, Planning, Control, Analysis, Optimization and Risk management solutions; • Entry into service planned in 2022. Ultra Air, a new start-up airline based in Colombia and starting operations in Q1 2022, operating a fleet of five Airbus A320s, has chosen a NAVBLUE suite for its Entry Into Service solutions. This five-year contract includes full suite of Fly & Navigate solutions (Flysmart+, Electronic Flight Bag management and Hosted Gateway services), Plan & Control solutions (N-Flight Planning, NOps & Crew Lite), Analysis & Optimization solutions (PEP, AODBAirport Obstacle Database, EIS Ops Approval, Fuel Efficiency Set up), Risk Management solutions (Flight Data Analysis services) and Supply Aerodata solutions (Navigation+). Benefiting from NAVBLUE’s expertise, Ultra Air will

take advantage of state-of-the art solutions to manage and optimize its operations benefiting from the most complete and accurate navigation information, enhancing its efficiency and competitiveness. Flysmart+ is the OEM solution providing a full suite of on-board and ground software applications to enhance flight deck operations including performance, documentation and Weight & Balance applications. Ultra Air also selected the EFB Management and the Hosted Gateway services to benefit from NAVBLUE expertise for the administration and hosting of Flysmart+. N-Flight Planning is a fully scalable and highly configurable system that will enable the airline to rapidly compute flight plans factoring payload, aircraft performance, current weather and air-traffic constraints with the ability to optimize for minimum flight time, fuel burn or total cost. In a single solution, N-Ops & Crew enables the

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 24

airline to plan and distribute their network schedules, plus maintain full operations control with configurable operating rules, as well as manage and optimize crew schedule planning, day-of-ops crew control, crew training and qualifications, and crew mobile access. PEP is a unique set of performance computation modules for Airbus aircraft. PEP modules are designed for engineers to compute Airbus aircraft performance and is the digital Airbus performance manual which includes the AFM performance chapter. AODB, NAVBLUE’s Airport Obstacle Database, will provide Ultra Air with accurate, up to date airport and obstacle data. Compliant with EASA-OPS, N-AODB data covers over 3,000 airports worldwide and includes NOTAM surveillance and 24/7 service as well as EFP (Engine Failure procedures). EIS Ops Approval and Fuel Efficiency setup assistance will lead Ultra Air to be ready to start its operations safely and efficiently from day one. This


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covers the establishment and implementation of robust flight ops engineering processes and procedures (e.g., aircraft performance monitoring, route and airport compatibility analysis, flight planning parameters accuracy and fine-tuning, cost index definition and set-up), as well as the fuel and flight efficiency set-up which includes: setting up the Green Operating Procedures, prioritize the initiatives and ensure training & communication. NAVBLUE will also provide Ultra Air with the Flight Data Analysis (FDA) Service that is executed by subject matter experts, including engineers and TRI/TRE pilots. The comprehensive and customized set of deliverables will help identify hotspots, trends, and related safety issues from flight data, while also promoting operational excellence. Navigation+ GE, from NAVBLUE Navigation+, will allow Ultra Air to get the relevant aeronautical navigation information available from airports including runway characteristics and procedures, tailored records and GridMORA. “At our company, our philosophy is to work with the best. NAVBLUE is that ally with an incredible track record, which will give us peace of mind from the beginning in some of the most important aspects for our operations. We will benefit from a set of solutions in terms of flights, planning, control, analysis and risk management. We will optimize processes that will also be safe and efficient, with the aim of always satisfying our users and giving them the most friendly experiences”. said William

Shaw, Founder and CEO of Ultra Air. “NAVBLUE is always very proud to support an airline right from the start of its operations, and we look forward to implementing our solutions on Ultra Air aircraft and hope that our expertise in flying solutions will contribute to the airline’s successful start and long-lasting operations in the years to come.” added Fabrice Hamel, CEO at NAVBLUE Ultra Air: Based in Ríonegro, Antioquia — Colombia, Ultra Air is an emerging airline that will begin operating in early 2022. With an initial fleet of five Airbus A320 aircraft, it intends to serve 17 national destinations in its first year of operation, and 32 routes at the end of the year. In addition, it plans to transport 2.7 million passengers and have between 19,000 and 19,200 flights for its first year of operations. NAVBLUE: NAVBLUE is an Airbus Services company, wholly owned by Airbus, and dedicated to Flight Operations & Air Traffic Management Solutions. The business provides products and services, and supports both civil and military environments, on the ground and onboard any aircraft and offers expertise in a range of areas, including digital cockpit operations, Operations Control Centre (OCC) systems, Flight Ops Engineering, Performance Based Navigation (PBN) and Air Traffic Management (ATM). NAVBLUE employs 460 employees spread across the world, with offices in Canada, France, Sweden, Thailand, UK and US, and representatives in several other countries across the globe. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

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Southwest Airlines opts for a continuation of AVTECHs Aventus Enroute Winds service after successful evaluation Following a trial and evaluation period, Dallas based Southwest Airlines decided, in late January 2022, for a continuation of the Aventus Enroute Winds service. Southwest has formally accepted the optional transition to a 17-month commercial service agreement, as included in the previously communicated trial contract. The agreement has a start date of February 1st, 2022 and an expected value in the range of 16 to 21 MSEK, dependent on USD exchange rate. This includes both the Aventus Descent and Aventus Enroute winds services, and thereby replaces the pre-existing Aventus Descent agreement pricing. The service is already deployed and in use by all Southwest’s aircraft. The Aventus Enroute Winds service provides, as an addition to the Aventus Descent Winds service already in use, highly accurate and tailored enroute wind

information in real-time to all Southwest Airline’s aircraft and routes. This leads to improved flight execution, increased situational awareness and

reduced workload for the pilots. Utilization of Aventus optimal enroute wind data positions Southwest for the continued expansion of NextGen initiatives. Based on

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analysis of the trial period data results, the service is expected to improve in-flight fuel and time estimations while reducing the yearly CO2 emissions. “Getting Southwest’s go-ahead after this extensive service trial and analysis period is a testimony to the quality and efficiency of AVTECHs product. We are excited to continue and to expand our good collaboration with Southwest in support of improved environmental efficiency, safety and timeliness of each flight.” said David Rytter, AVTECH CEO. Aventus: The Aventus Enroute Winds service is an integral part of the Aventus full-flight offering, which also includes Climb, and Descent service components. Aventus is a unique and patented system, enabling accurate wind information and 4D Trajectories for flights, making use of the very best in atmospheric modelling to create wind data packages for the different segments of a flight. Data packages are uplinked in real-time to the aircraft to enable the onboard Flight Management Computer (FMC) to accurately calculate a flight profile and the time when each route waypoint will be reached. The Aventus solution is environmentally friendly as it enables aircraft to fly more efficient altitudes and RNP approaches resulting in immediate airline fuel and CO2 savings benefits. The service is also imperative for future time-based flight operations, an area where Aventus provides even larger overall environmental and operational benefits. Time-based operations will increase the efficiency and punctuality of individual flights and of the air transport system.

AVTECH Sweden AB: AVTECH develops products and services for digital air traffic control systems. Customers are the aviation industry’s various players such as airlines, airports, aviation, technology companies and aircraft manufacturers. With the help of the company’s products and services, each individual flight or the entire flight operation can be optimized in terms of economy, noise and emissions, efficiency, punctuality and safety. Southwest Airlines: Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across eleven countries. Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2021, Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline. Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its nearly 54,000 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among as many as 130 million Customers carried a year. That formula for success has brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years of profitability for Southwest Shareholders. Southwest continues to develop tangible steps toward an environmental sustainability goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 27


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Volotea selects ClearPath flight optimization service from AVTECH for improved flight efficiency and reduced emissions AVTECH Sweden AB and Volotea Airlines announced at the end of January 2022 that they have entered into a 3-year agreement for AVTECHs ClearPath service, with a start date of January 1st, 2022 and an expected total value in the range of 2.2 to 3.2 MSEK dependent on fleet size and EUR exchange rate. The ClearPath flight optimization service, based on state-of-the-art highresolution aviation weather forecasting from the Met Office, provides precise and tailored tactical decision support for Voloteas pilots to improve the efficiency of each individual flight. By providing its flight crews with up-to-date guidance on the most efficient flight altitudes, Volotea is able to significantly reduce their total CO2 emissions. “We are extremely glad to welcome Volotea as our first Airbus operator implementing ClearPath in their daily operations. We are now looking forward to expanding the service to the entire fleet and to support and be part of their journey towards sustainable aviation” stated Niklaes Persson, Sales and Marketing Director at AVTECH. ClearPath: ClearPath is the latest addition to AVTECHs service offering. The service delivers an optimum flight path for each individual flight in real-time. The

calculation of the optimum flight path is fully automatic and based on a combination of actual aircraft performance data and tailored high-resolution weather from Met Office UK. This gives the pilots tactical decision support to operate each flight more efficiently resulting in up to 3% average reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. ClearPath is delivered as a service that requires no aircraft hardware investments which allows airlines to test it in their operations for free. Volotea: Volotea was founded in 2011 by Carlos Munoz and Lázaro Ros, previously founders of Vueling, and is one of the fastest-growing independent airlines in Europe, increasing year-on-year its fleet, routes served, and seats offered. Since its start, Volotea has carried almost 40 million passengers across Europe. Currently based in 18 European small and mid-sized capitals, Volotea serves more than 100 cities across 15 countries. The airline employs more than 1,350 people across Europe and, compared to its competitors, was the busiest airline in 2021 in terms of recovery of load factor, operations and customer satisfaction. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

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Rusada releases new Flights app for ENVISION At the beginning of February 2022, Rusada, the global aviation software provider, revealed a new mobile application for its Airworthiness, MRO, and Flight Operations solution ENVISION. ENVISION Flights has been designed specifically for pilots and other members of the flight crew. It works closely alongside ENVISION’s Flight Operations module to provide users with live flight details including departure/arrival location, ETD/ETA, flight type and aircraft registration as well as expected passengers, baggage, and freight. Several key actions can also be carried out directly from the cockpit. Actuals and oil & fuel uplift can be recorded, existing flights diverted or cancelled, new flights added, crew assigned, and defects reported. ENVISION Flights becomes the third new app released by Rusada in the last 10 months after ENVISION Tasks and ENVISION Stock were launched in 2021, highlighting the company’s current focus on mobility. The fully native app is available on iOS and Android devices and is approved by both Apple and Google. “We are very excited to be releasing yet another new application to the market. What I like most about this app is that flight crew can view all the information they need in one place, which removes the need for time-consuming phone calls, or updates from various third-party agents. This should make their lives much easier and allow for everyone in the organization to be on the same page.” stated Julian Stourton, CEO at Rusada. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 29


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Avinor selects NAVBLUE’s RunwaySense for 15 airports in Norway In early February 2022, Avinor, the wholly-owned state limited company under the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications, announced that it had selected NAVBLUE’s RunwaySense to improve the runway condition reporting of 15 airports in Norway. RunwaySense is a collaborative web-based platform where airspace users share runway condition reports in real-time to enhance the runway condition awareness, and to allow the airport to anticipate and mitigate slippery conditions. RunwaySense uses data generated by the Braking Action Computation Function (BACF) loaded on Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft to determine how the runway condition is trending. Avinor, the first NAVBLUE customer in Norway, will count with BACF braking action reports to contribute to its runway condition reporting regime for 15 airports. RunwaySense data will be integrated into

Avinor’s ‘Aircraft Braking Action Service’, their in-house platform for runway condition data concentrating and analysis. Thomas Lagaillarde, Head of Product Portfolio & Programmes at NAVBLUE, said: “We’re happy to see that Avinor has selected NAVBLUE and RunwaySense to support their runway condition reporting activities at 15 airports. Now ICAO’s Global Reporting Format has come into effect, RunwaySense can be a key enabler for Avinor’s runway condition reporting.”

Ronny Andersen, Project Manager in charge of the implementation at Avinor added: “For Avinor it is very important to get data in real time, in order to monitor the friction levels on the runway. NAVBLUE gives us a tool that does just that, to satisfy the demands from our regulators and the Government.” Avinor: Avinor is a wholly-owned state limited company under the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications and is responsible for 44 state-owned airports. The organization has taken a leading role in reducing climate gas emissions from the aviation industry, including the development of electric aircraft and supplying sustainable jet-bio-jet fuel. Avinor provides safe and efficient travels for around 50 million passengers annually, half of which travel to and from Oslo Airport. Over 3000 employees are responsible for planning, developing and operating an efficient airport and air navigation service. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 30


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Sichuan Airlines selects Flysmart+ to improve their pilots’ efficiency and enhance safety

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In early February 2022, Sichuan Airlines, the largest airline in western China and the first A320 operator in the country, announced that it had selected NAVBLUE’s Flysmart+ to improve their pilots’ efficiency, and provide opportunities to increase aircraft payload and reduce engine maintenance costs. Sichuan Airlines was looking for a solution to simplify performance calculation and ease their pilots’ workload. Flysmart+ was the right fit for their needs as the solution also allows them to meet the Airbus EFB as Standard Operations requirements. Sichuan Airlines officially commenced using Flysmart+ in August 2021. As with other operators in China, they will benefit from local support delivered by NAVBLUE’s team of experts that provided Sichuan Airlines with dedicated training sessions and on-site local support in China for a smooth entry into service. Sichuan Airlines: Founded in 1986, Sichuan Airlines is the first A320 family operator in China and a loyal Airbus customer since 1995. Today it is the only and biggest major Chinese Airlines flying exclusively an all Airbus fleet. CSC is also the first airline to take delivery of an A320 assembled in FAL-C Tianjin, as well the first to sign Spare FHS Agreement in China with Airbus covering its A330 fleet. The Airline operates 176 Airbus aircraft today (A320 Family, A330, A350 and A330F). Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 31

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Canada Jetlines selects NAVBLUE suite of solutions to improve their flight operations Canada Jetlines announced in early February 2022 that it has signed a multi-year agreement with NAVBLUE to incorporate several NAVBLUE solutions to their flight operations. The solutions include: N-Flight Planning, N-Tracking, Navigation+, charting solution, Flysmart+, EFB Management, Hosted Gateway, FDA Services and ɅODB. These solutions will provide immediate efficiencies, reducing aircraft operating costs and environmental impact to the minimum for the new all-Canadian carrier. “As an Airbus operator, it made sense to first consider NAVBLUE services to help Canada Jetlines develop and achieve the highest level of safety and operational efficiency. This contract allows Canada Jetlines to further develop its relationship with Airbus through its NAVBLUE subsidiary,” said Eddy Doyle CEO of Canada Jetlines. “We look forward to the

continued growth of this alliance and are grateful for the continued support from NAVBLUE.” Thomas Lagaillarde, Vice President Product Portfolio & Programmes at NAVBLUE said: “At NAVBLUE we are excited to count Canada Jetlines as a new customer. We believe our solutions will allow Canada Jetlines to achieve seamless growth once they start operations in 2022 and we will assist them at every stage to ensure they fully benefit from these solutions.” With operations targeted to commence in the spring of 2022, Canada Jetlines aims to provide convenient travel options for the best value possible, offering more choices than competitors to coveted sun-destinations and more revenue options for agents and tour operators. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

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NEWS

easyJet adopts SkyBreathe® 360° eco-flying platform to reduce CO2 easyJet, Europe’s leading airline, announced in early February 2022 that it has chosen SkyBreathe®, an advanced eco-flying solution to reduce the fuel burn and thus CO2 emissions of their fleet, as part of their ambition to reduce their carbon footprint from flying across Europe. Most aviation emissions come from fuel consumption and the resulting carbon emissions. SkyBreathe® is an innovative eco-flying solution developed by OpenAirlines. It is based on Cloud, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data and enables airlines to save fuel and reduce their carbon footprint by up to 5%. Under the agreement, the fuel management software will automatically collect and analyze the

data from the 300+ aircraft operated by easyJet, and combine them with data from other sources, including payload, weather conditions, maintenance, flight paths, and Air Traffic Control. The solution will identify the most relevant fuel saving opportunities and generate actionable insights shared with all stakeholders through synthetic and easy-to-read dashboards. Based on this information, the airline will benefit from a thorough understanding of its operations. The solution allows for the implementation of the most efficient procedures on the ground (pushback, taxi, take-off, turnaround, etc.) and during flight (climb, cruise, approach, landing, etc.) to maximize carbon reduction.

“easyJet has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions flying by 2050 and so we are working with a range of partners to reduce our carbon emissions today as well as accelerate the development of carbon-free technology in the future. The adoption of SkyBreathe® enables us to more easily identify where improvements can be made now, which will play an important role in reducing our carbon emissions with immediate and concrete results. We continue to offset the carbon emissions from the fuel used for all our flights.” stated Captain David

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Morgan, Director of Flight Operations at easyJet. “Today, our industry faces many challenges, but also an unprecedented opportunity to transform the way we fly. It is more important than ever for airlines to operate more sustainably and easyJet is taking full responsibility and leading the way to address the carbon impact from its flights. We’re delighted to be working with such an enthusiastic and dedicated partner.“ said Alexandre Feray, CEO, OpenAirlines easyJet joins the very active community of 50+ airlines worldwide today using SkyBreathe®, including Air France, Norwegian, IndiGo, Flydubai, and Atlas Air. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website


NEWS

Weather Intelligence & Climate Security for Aviation

Web Manuals doubles UAV customer base

Tomorrow.io enables airlines to adjust flight operations for any weather conditions, reduce billion-dollar delays, and minimize safety risks. The platform displays over 30 different weather and air quality parameters, and includes an interactive map that helps users visualize incoming weather risks to understand the impact at every airport. • Save $50K per airport per month by reducing in-air rerouting and delays; • Minimize weather-related disruptions resulting in millions of dollars saved per year; • Access 24/7 weather insights with minute-by-minute updates; • Improve flight planning and boost operational efficiency. • Everything your operation needs in one platform. • Optimize Staff Safety, Scheduling, and Communication: • Staff Safety: Keep crew members safe and save time reopening ramps by loading and unloading during ideal weather conditions; • Scheduling: Optimize employee schedules to avoid overstaffing and understaffing; • Communication: Standardize procedures to better prepare employees for severe weather conditions through alerts via email or text. Perfect protocols and quickly implement operational plans; • Weather Dashboards for

In mid-November 2021, Web Manuals, a global leader in digital documentation for aviation, announced that it has seen a doubling of its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and drone customer base since the start of 2021. The rise is largely due to the worldwide growth of the drone industry resulting from advances in technology and increased demand for drone deliveries. Web Manuals’ new customers include electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developers, drone logistics services, and training centers, across North America and Europe. Nick Karagiannis, sales executive and drone expert at Web Manuals said, “Many operators — especially the pioneers of advanced drone operations — are developing processes to prove safety. Although the majority of these companies already believe in digitized processes, they often don’t realize the complexity of flight manuals. As a result, we have also seen drone consultancy services join Web Manuals to prepare for the expected future demand of drone manuals and manual expertise.” The UAV and drone operators use Web Manuals to manage the digital authoring, editing and distribution of all their regulatory and compliance documentation. In the US, drone users need Part 135 Air Carrier compliance and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) certification, as required by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. In Europe, the European Union Safety Agency (EASA) has released a regulatory framework requiring all drone operators to register within the ‘open’, ‘specific’ or ‘certified’ category by the end of 2021. Karagiannis continued, “While the UAV market is still in its infancy, we have seen that most operators need a system like Web Manuals to prove their compliance early on. At AUVSI XPONENTIAL, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson urged drone operators to start replicating their manned counterparts to further increase safety and compliance. In the United States, Matternet and Zipline, which operates the world’s largest automated, on-demand commercial delivery service, are among the pioneers of drone delivery. To have both these big players already using Web Manuals is a great indication for our future within the growing drone segment.” To watch our GO DIGITAL panel discussion on Drones, Regulations and Incident Mitigation, click here.

Automated Decision Making and Proactivity: • Weather dashboards and insights help you prepare and respond to inclement weather conditions including: • Lightning Alerts; • Wind / Visibility; • De-icing / Snow / Winter Operations; • Flight Tracking. • Advanced Global Weather Radar Coverage. To improve global forecasting technology and capabilities, Tomorrow.io has designed proprietary radar-equipped satellites and will begin launching dozens into space over the coming years. Our smallsatellite constellation will be a first in the history of the weather industry, and bring critical weather radar coverage to the entire globe, including over oceans. This innovation will dramatically improve flight planning capabilities for transoceanic flights, leading to reductions in fuel consumption and enhancements in safety for flights around the world. “This tool was designed with an understanding of the decision-making pressure airport leaders face every day.” stated Ian Deason, SVP Customer Experience at JetBlue. Ready to make smart weather decisions? See how Tomorrow.io can elevate your aviation operations. Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

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NEWS

Why SkyBreathe® Aircraft Performance Monitoring allows airlines to save fuel? Alexandre Feray, CEO at OpenAirlines explains why they brought the SkyBreathe® Aircraft Performance Monitoring idea to life, and Nicolas Pinchemel, Data Scientist, unveils why this new module is something big that will change the daily work of airlines engineers. Here is a transcript of the video. Can you tell us about SkyBreathe® Aircraft Performance Monitoring arrival on the market? Alexandre Feray, CEO at OpenAirlines: Maintaining good momentum during the Covid-19 crisis was particularly challenging. But we remained faithful to our DNA and continued investing heavily in R&D to deliver innovations that would help airlines recover faster from the crisis. During the last two years, we have developed new solutions that bring the power of SkyBreathe® in the connected cockpit with SkyBreathe® OnBoard, in discussions with ATC authorities with SkyBreathe Advanced Trajectory Add-On. And in the maintenance shop with SkyBreathe® APM. What is the vision behind this extension of the product portfolio? Alexandre Feray: With all these integrated products, SkyBreathe® has become a complete 360° eco-flying platform that gives a frictionless experience and a holistic view of all things fuel in one place. Airlines can increase communication between stakeholders, engagement, and savings. How does the marketplace perceive SkyBreathe® 360? Alexandre Feray: The platform is now a great success, and it was fascinating to see that, amid the pandemic, 14 new airlines have chosen to partner with us to get out of the crisis more robust, more profitable, and greener. Fuel preservation solutions are now considered a must-have as airlines are looking at reducing their costs and CO2 emissions more than ever. With 50 airlines now using SkyBreathe®, and OpenAirlines having the most complete portfolio of solutions, we are clearly emerging as the leader in the field. What is SkyBreathe® Aircraft Performance Monitoring? Nicolas Pinchemel, Data Scientist at OpenAirlines: SkyBreathe® APM is a new module to monitor aircraft performance and improve it over time. It automatically computes the latest cruise performance of each aircraft using flight data every day. It also gives powerful insights into airplanes. We introduced Artificial Intelligence to automatically detect abnormal performance degradations and

identify their root causes so that airlines can fix them quickly and proactively. And more specifically, how is SkyBreathe® APM a game-changer? Nicolas Pinchemel: Today, monitoring aircraft performance is a cumbersome and costly process. We wanted to offer a more agile and accurate approach to provide meaningful results with no effort. With SkyBreathe® APM, airlines can analyze the actual performance of the fleet in near real-time and in a fully automated way. Knowing the actual performance of an aircraft is essential to fly safely and to be fuel-efficient. How does SkyBreathe® APM make airlines save fuel? Nicolas Pinchemel: SkyBreathe® APM ensures that the most up-to-date aircraft performance is used in the Flight Management System and the Flight Planning System. This makes the flight plan more accurate, increases safety, and is more optimal, reducing fuel consumption. SkyBreathe® APM also helps airlines detect abnormal aircraft deterioration more quickly and efficiently. They can take proactive maintenance actions to maintain fuel efficiency at its highest level. Try by yourself SkyBreathe® APM and see how analyzing precisely performance trends can increase safety and fuel saving! Read the full story on Aircraft IT Website

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CASE STUDY: LOGAN AIR

A flight planning solution that works for Logan Air Owen Purday, Senior Flight Support Officer at Loganair shares the values of the airline’s long relationship with its Flight Planning solution

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CASE STUDY: LOGAN AIR

A LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE

This case study has a different focus from those that have previously appeared in Aircraft IT. The publication often brings you case studies about why and how an airline has selected and implemented a new software solution. For airlines moving from paper and/or fixed terminal-based processes to an IT and mobile based process (increasingly less frequent these days) or, more often, for airlines whose current software solution is either no longer supported or no longer matched to their needs, those articles make valuable reading. They enable potential buyers of new solutions to research a range of options and identify a few that look as if they might be a good fit with their business. However, moving to or changing a software solution is a significant process in itself. For the long-term benefit of getting the right system, that process makes sense but there are also airlines who have been using products from the same developer and vendor for a very long-time; have gone through all the upgrades and improvements and have seen their own suggested modifications or improvements adopted and made available across the vendor’s customer base. So, what is it that an airline values in a solution to keep them using it for many years? Loganair has recently signed a long-term contract to continue with Air Support PPS Flight Planning after 15 years using the solution. Such a long-term relationship has its advantages but, of course, it will be founded on what reasons there are for the airline to stay with the vendor. Owen Purday, Senior Flight Support Officer at Loganair explains to us why and how that long-term relationship has thrived over more than fifteen years.

LOGANAIR — NOT A SIMPLE AIRLINE

As the largest UK Regional Airline, Loganair currently has a mixed fleet of 41 aircraft including ATR-42, ATR-72, Embraer 135, Embraer 145, Saab 340, Twin Otter and Britten-Norman Islander. The primary business is operating scheduled services within the UK, there is also some European business which is mainly oil and gas routes from Norway and Denmark, plus there is a large ad hoc charter business catering for sports teams, bands and other groups: a pretty varied clientele. As well as the scheduled and charter passenger services, we also operate mail and cargo flights using dedicated freighter aircraft.

“…integration is really important for us; we need something that can integrate with all of our systems pre- and post-flight.”

One of the higher profile sectors covered is the Scottish islands such as the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands and the Outer Hebrides including the famous Barra beach landing in Na h-Eileanan Siar, in the west of Scotland.

Twin Otter at Barra Beach. Photographer: Dale Savage

Barra is served by a Twin Otter, it is unique and the only commercial airport where the runway’s made of sand, and tide covers it up twice a day. That means that schedules are governed by tide times rather than being fixed. Loganair also operates the shortest scheduled passenger flight in the world between Westray and Papa Westray; a distance of 2.7 kilometers which is scheduled for two minutes but has been completed in 58 seconds with a tailwind. Recently, Loganair took on a number of former Flybe routes such as GlasgowSouthampton, Edinburgh-Southampton. All in all, a significant challenge for any flight planning software solution.

WHAT THE AIRLINE NEEDS IN FLIGHT PLANNING

At Loganair, integration is really important for us; we need something that can integrate with all of our systems pre- and post-flight. Currently, PPS is fed by the scheduling system to create the flight plans and create the logs for the crew, and that data is also sent to the EFB (Air Support CrewBriefing) devices for the flight, to be used in calculating Weight & Balance. PPS fulfils that need for integrations across the other systems at Loganair. We also try to take as much as possible away from the OCC (Operations Control Center) with regards to day-to-day flight planning. Our OCC is very good when it comes to finding solutions for delays and cancellations; with the network that we operate, if there is bad weather, say, it can wipe out a whole day. So, if we can take away some of the day-to-day flight planning from them and automate it, that delivers a real business benefit. The more we can automate the better and PPS is good at that.

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CASE STUDY: LOGAN AIR

In fact, because PPS from Air Support has been in use at Loganair for fifteen years, since July 2007, none of the people involved with it now were there when the selection and implementation were carried out. But we do know that there was a selection process with alternate proposals being considered as well as PPS. That process was conducted by an earlier Head of Flight Operations who knew the business very well and would have based his selection on sound reasons. Certainly, one of the things that we’ve found in using the solution is that technical support and customer service are excellent. Although we can solve most problems for the front-line Ops team in the OCC internally and can do a lot of the more complex behind the scenes work with PPS, when we get stuck, we find that response to customer feedback is excellent which would certainly have been a powerful reason for choosing PPS, especially as, at that time, there was just the one individual who covered all flight support issues at the airline whereas today there are five people covering that function. So, the quality of support from the solution provider would have been a critical factor in the decision as it is a critical factor in our decision to re-sign with Air Support this year.

FLIGHT PLANNING AT LOGANAIR

From an airline user point of view, PPS enables us to create flight plans, it submits the flight plans to EUROCONTROL and it provides the crew with detailed log information. Also, the way that the system integrates both with our

scheduling system and the EFB devices really helps the operation. At Loganair, we use the auto-dispatch service which is an add-on to the PPS system and that takes away the manual filing of flight plans which, given that Loganair generates upwards of 150 flight plans a day, would be a really timeconsuming job if it had to be handled manually. PPS also now offers a Cloud hosting solution (PPS Hosting Solution) which means that users can work from anywhere, and Loganair started using that service at the beginning of 2022. It has made a big difference, especially with the split between working from home and working from the office; previously that meant that users had to connect into the server via VPN which was incredibly slow and not good to use. The IT department is also very happy because the hosting service takes away some of the requirement for them to maintain and upgrade those servers. There’s also the disaster recovery aspect of not having all of our eggs in one basket or servers in one building. Because of the diversity of Loganair’s fleet, there is a need to ensure that performance information is fully handled by the solution we use. We have ensured that some of that was input to the system but there are some standard aircraft performance databases that come with PPS. When we have introduced a new type to the fleet, we have gone through the flight manual ourselves and checked those time to climb, fuel burn figures… but we only rarely need to change them. There is so much flexibility in PPS, so many options that allow users to tailor the available

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CASE STUDY: LOGAN AIR

suite of tools to what they want to do that we are able to ensure that the solution is well-matched with the airline’s processes, aircraft and priorities. An important plus point is that the UI (User Interface) with PPS is incredibly user-friendly. There is a clean, basic flow to the program so that anyone with a basic knowledge of fight planning should be able to create a flight plan and file that to EUROCONTROL. We have seen systems that are far less userfriendly: our OCC really appreciates that userfriendly benefit. Sometimes, we have to respond to problems that the OCC has with flight planning, such as re-routes around danger areas, when the crew is already on the flightdeck with the APU running and passengers on board approaching departure time. We have to make a change within five minutes or less. That capability can be achieved with a fairly minimal level of training because the user interface is so naturally easy to use. It enables Loganair to make last minute changes without stress. One objective is to take stress away from the OCC to enable them to focus on the running of the daily flying program. We have been able to create and maintain company routes that have been checked and validated, and that we know are safe and economical: we can just allow the system to pick, from those company routes, which one would be the most economical for the mission at hand, based on current conditions, and can leave the system on an automated level and still get good, economical results. We use auto-Dispatch a lot for simple things like aircraft registration changes, where the aircraft originally allocated to a flight has technical issue and so another aircraft has to be quickly substituted, crew changes and much else. If the system can do that automatically, and auto-Dispatch generally can, that takes away a lot of stress from the OCC.

OPSCONTROL

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FLIGHT WATCH


CASE STUDY: LOGAN AIR

CHANGING WAY OF USING PPS AT LOGANAIR

The way we use PPS has changed as the airline itself has changed over time. When it was initially implemented, Loganair was primarily a Scottish and Northern Ireland airline with a fleet of Saab 340s, a couple of Twin Otters and a couple of Islanders. Since then, as well as growing, the nature of that growth has made for a complex and complicated operation with a range of aircraft types as well as, within those five types, thirteen sub-types of aircraft. The UK CAA regards Loganair as a complex AOC and that has become increasingly the case in the last decade or so. Anything, such as PPS, that can bring about efficiency in that environment is a Godsend for the business. Loganair has changed how things are done and PPS has supported those changes and has enabled us to change with the business, to adjust for COVID, to change with the demise of other airlines and to pick-up those of their routes that could fit into the Loganair business. Not only has the way PPS is used changed, but also the software has proved scalable for what the airline has become. As an example of that, last year we sent an Embraer 145 from Glasgow to Bangor in the USA for heavy maintenance. Even a few months before that, we would not have thought it possible for us to be sending an aircraft to the States, which is outside of Loganair’s AOC area. That AOC area goes up to the Arctic Circle, almost as far East as Cyprus and South to the North Coast of North Africa.

There are a lot of tools that we just use and take for granted and that reduce the levels of routine admin, like automatic selection, by the auto-Dispatch function, of valid and the most economic flight plans. Also, the Data Editor which allows for such a high level of flexibility and tuning certain types of routes or tail numbers in light of particular problems with which we might be confronted. We find that we use embedded features in the software with increasing frequency rather than just using the basic functionality. Using PPS is now second nature in Loganair and, with that familiarity, we tunnel into the solution to an increasing degree when solving flight planning problems for the OCC staff.

Training

However, the software enabled us to take an aircraft to the East Coast of the United States, way outside of the AOC and with no fuss; just like doing, say, Glasgow to Southampton but longer.

Because the UI is so easy, there is not any specific PPS training program in Loganair but, if there’s a new member of staff in the OCC, then one of us will spend a couple of days with them to acquaint them with the basics of the system. But generally, because we’re automating the majority of flight planning from Flight Support, that can be achieved fairly quickly. In the early days, people did come over from Air Support in Denmark to carry out some training in order to get Loganair started with PPS but since then we’ve been pretty self-sufficient for training. That is particularly true for the sort of people who work in Flight Support;, once they have the login and the basics and as long as they understand flight planning principles, they can use it very easily. Also, coming back to the support available, if there are matters on which we need guidance, Air Support is very good at resolving any issues that we encounter. They offer training on the system during the implementation phase and, thereafter, most users find that they can handle training in-house.

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CASE STUDY: LOGAN AIR

THE APPLICATION OF LOGANAIR’S EXPERIENCE

While it is important to review software contracts from time to time, it is not an easy decision to change such business-critical software solutions. So, if you can select and implement something you feel will be able to serve the business for a long time, that will make life easier. Loganair is not shy about changing software providers where necessary but there has been no reason to change Air Support in all the time it has been in use here. Also, the solution is very cost-effective; it is not expensive. Generally, if you’re looking, as Loganair did, for a solution which supports the automation of a lot of tasks and that will take the bulk of the day-to-day flight planning load; if most of the planning can be achieved days before the flight, that will be a business benefit. Using PPS, Loganair can generate company routes weeks or months before take-off and that takes away some of the stress on the day of operation. As mentioned before, it also helps a lot that response to an enquiry ticket does not take weeks but is very fast and always, in our experience, accurate.

FUTURE PLANS?

The most recent addition to Loganair’s PPS solution has been OpsControl | Flight Watch, as an extra level on top of flight planning to enable the airline to track

and monitor flights across the whole fleet and even include inactive aircraft. This will make the business GADSS (Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System) compliant which is a requirement for many of our charter clients. One thing that those customers, want is something more than Flightradar24 for tracking flights, and OpsControl | Flight Watch ticks that box. The addition is being rolled out in the Loganair fleet to ADS-B compliant aircraft and to further aircraft as they become ADS-B compliant. OpsControl | Flight Watch does still allow for tracking via EUROCONTROL data, but the more aircraft Loganair gets with ADS-B, the more useful the software will be. Perhaps the best summation of how we feel about our PPS flight planning system is, as reported at the start of the article, that Loganair has recently signed a long-term contract to continue with Air Support PPS Flight Planning after 15 years using the solution.

OWEN PURDAY

Owen started his aviation career in the airport terminal working as Passenger Services Manager and latterly as an Aircraft Dispatcher. He moved to BMI Regional to work as an Operations Controller before taking the position of Flight Support Manager. Now at Loganair, Owen works as Senior Flight Support Officer within a small team providing a wide range of Flight Operations support to the business. He’s been a user of the PPS system for more than seven years.

LOGANAIR

Loganair has been flying since 1962, and now operates a fleet of more than 40 aircraft going to destinations across Europe, Scandinavia and the 33 airports in the British Isles; more than any other airline. The fleet includes Saab 340, Twin Otter, Britten Norman Islander, ATR 42-500 and -600, plus Embraer 135 and 145 models. Up to 1,000 flights each week transport more than one million passengers a year.

AIR SUPPORT, PPS FLIGHT PLANNING

AIR SUPPORT specializes in desktop- and cloud-based software solutions for airlines, business aviation, governments as well as service providers. They deliver flight planning software to 450+ customers in more than 90 countries worldwide. With more than 30 years’ experience, this company specializes in aviation software and technology developments, implementation of valuable system add-ons, and advanced interfaced solutions for aviation operators, who utilize third-party aviation software systems. INTERACTIVE GIVE US YOUR OPINION CLICK HERE TO POST YOUR COMMENT INTERACTIVE SUBSCRIBE HERE CLICK HERE TO READ ALL FUTURE EDITIONS AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 41


AIRCRAFT IT Operations: VENDOR FLIGHT LOG

VENDOR FLIGHT LOG: LUFTHANSA SYSTEMS

Manuel van Esch lets us into how taking a humancentered approach has helped Lufthansa Systems’ zeroG unlock the power of data for customers As Lead Business Consultant at zeroG, Manuel van Esch consults for airline and airport customers on how analytics and machine learning could tangibly improve airline and airport operations and commercials. Manuel has worked on various projects, where he leads diverse teams that create descriptive and predictive analytical solutions to optimize customer flow, baggage processes, and tarmac processes. At zeroG Manuel is responsible for edge-deployed computer vision solutions like DeepTurnaround. Aircraft IT: Your name, your job title and the name of the business? Manuel van Esch: Manuel van Esch, Lead Business Consultant, zeroG — AI in Aviation. Aircraft IT: How did zeroG get started? MvE: Aviation is complex and data-rich, but many airlines have been unable to find a partner that was able to understand both airline processes and data science. zeroG uniquely fills this position and was tasked with being the competency centre for data-driven innovation and realizing cutting edge machine learning solutions for the Lufthansa Group hub

airlines and Lufthansa Systems’ over 200 airline customers. Aircraft IT: What is the guiding business principle that drives zeroG? MvE: We hire good people who are driven by curiosity, are eager to solve relevant challenges, and have a hunger to develop impactful solutions. Aircraft IT: What has zeroG’s greatest business achievement been to date, and why? MvE: Within a short time zeroG grew from a small group of nerdy data experts into, “the AI powerhouse of the Lufthansa Group” (according to the Chief Data Officer), realizing

numerous innovative data science solutions that either saved sizeable cost or generated new revenue. Key to our success has been to integrate our technologies within existing processes and work flows. We

don’t believe in the silver bullet technology, but do believe in building intelligent solutions that are aligned with people’s business goals and are integrated within their existing tools.

“Within a short time zeroG grew from a small group of nerdy data experts into, “the AI powerhouse of the Lufthansa Group” (according to the Chief Data Officer), realizing numerous innovative data science solutions that either saved sizeable cost or generated new revenue.”

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations: VENDOR FLIGHT LOG

“Today’s moves toward cloud data architectures enables airlines and airports to take a data-centric approach in developing machine learning solutions that are uniquely able to solve their organizations challenges.” Aircraft IT: What have been your disappointments and what have you learned from them? MvE: What holds most of our airline and airport customers back in using their data to improve their business are misconceptions about AI and data analytics, some believing it to be difficult or simply not as good as human decision makers. The truth is that machine learning and data analytics are not difficult for endusers, if developed in a humancentered way. The funny thing is that in our private lives people use machine

learning solutions all the time. Technologies like Google Maps make our lives easier and safer, but when it comes to professional processes many people are reluctant to embrace a data-driven future and default to manual oversight and actions. Aircraft IT: In a sentence, how would you summarize what zeroG does for aircraft operations customers? MvE: zeroG exists on the intersection of aviation business, human-centered design, and data science; meaning we’re a partner to aviation

organizations to unlock the potential of their own data to tangibly improve their business through automation and generating insight. Aircraft IT: What do you feel will be the next big thing in operations Aviation IT? MvE: Every airline and airport is unique. Today’s moves toward cloud data architectures enables airlines and airports to take a data-centric approach in developing machine learning solutions that are uniquely able to solve their organizations challenges.

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Increasing availability of purpose ready data allows for analytical solutions, that enable operational people to focus on their key tasks to reduce disruption and increase safety. Aircraft IT: What do you want your customers to say about zeroG MvE: That we deliver what we promised and build impactful machine learning solutions that support their business needs and goals. Aircraft IT: Manuel van Esch thank you for your time.


AIRCRAFT IT OPERATIONS SURVEY 2022

Aircraft IT 2022 Survey on Optimization Platforms and new IT Technologies

A powerful insight into how the aviation sector’s plans with regard to IT have developed during the pandemic

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AIRCRAFT IT OPERATIONS SURVEY 2022

W

e last surveyed the aviation sector in 2019: a lot has happened since then. The obvious factor will have been the COVID pandemic. Although, for airlines and operators, COVID itself is already becoming yesterday’s news, its long-term impact is only just beginning to be apparent. And not least in the changing place of IT adoption and the priorities of the aviation sector. In our 2022 Aircraft IT survey, sponsored by and conducted in late 2021 by Alton Aviation Consultancy, whereas, previous surveys had shown a continuing but linear rate of progress for IT in the sector, this latest survey suggests a much larger step change. It’s not so much in attitudes to IT but in the roles which IT is expected to fill in the sector’s future and the depth to which it will penetrate every aspect of aviation processes and culture. Let’s take a look at the main points covered in the survey and the findings; plus, some hints at what they might mean for the sector.

“North America, Asia Pacific and Europe made up 84% of the air passenger market in December 2019, which is reflected in the fact that more than 80% of respondents are in those regions, with Europe taking the lead and accounting for 37% of all respondents. ” Respondents come from a variety of regions, carrier types, and functionalities, offering a good mix of perspectives Breakdown of Respondents’ Organization Types2

Breakdown of Respondents’ Regions1

THE SURVEY

Non-IT Other, 3% Cargo, 11% consultant, 5%

37%

There were 112 respondents to the survey and, of those, 79 were from airlines (figure 1).

32%

IT Vendor/ Consultant, 13%

Low-Cost Carrier, 17%

13% 9% 5%

Africa

4% Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America

Middle East

North America

Full-Service Carrier, 38%

Regional, 13%

Figure 2 § The survey received responses from a variety of regions and has a higher proportion of responses from regions 1 withAmerica, higher marketAsia share Pacific in passenger travel North and Europe made up 84% of the air passenger

§ Morein than 80% of the respondents are in is North America, Europe Asia Pacific, with Europe market December 2019, which reflected in theand fact that more than taking 80%the of lead and accounting for 37% of all respondents respondents are in those regions, with Europe taking the lead and accounting for § Respondents included different types of carriers such as full-service, low-cost, and cargo carriers, along with other 37%industry of all players respondents. Respondents also Full-service includedcarriers different of carriers such as MROs, OEMs, and consultants. madetypes up the largest share of with 38%,low-cost, followed by low-cost carrierscarriers, with 17%. along with other industry suchrespondents as full-service, and cargo Source: IATA, Alton analysis Notes: 1/ North America, Asia Pacific and Europe made up 83.8% of air passenger market in December 2019 players such as MROs, OEMs, and consultants. Full-service carriers made up the 2/ Includes government, research, data platform, MRO, OEM, industry organizations and royal flight departments largest share of respondents with 38%, followed by low-cost carriers with 17%.

Notes: Includes passenger & freighter fleet. Respondent airlines fleets’ include fleets of airline groups.

Source: CAPA, Alton analysis

Figure 1

Responses by regions and organization types

Responses to the survey came from a variety of regions but with a larger proportion of responses from regions with higher market share in passenger travel (figure 2).

“…whereas previous surveys had shown a continuing but linear rate of progress for IT in the sector, this latest survey suggests a much larger step change…”

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AIRCRAFT IT OPERATIONS SURVEY 2022

SUSTAINABILITY AND OPTIMIZATION IN A POST-COVID WORLD — INTENTIONS AND CHALLENGES

It is, perhaps, no surprise that 99% of respondents indicated that it is either important or very important to pursue digital optimization initiatives post-COVID to manage costs and improve productivity (figure 3).

Pursuing digital optimization initiatives is becoming more important in a post-COVID world Pre-COVID (Next 5 Years) 3%

Not Important 0%

63%

15%

1%

Less Important

20% Important

Very Important

Post-COVID (Next 5 Years) 21% Not Important

78% Less Important

Important

Very Important Source: Alton analysis

Figure 3

Digital optimization initiatives have always been important even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as echoed by 83% of respondents. COVID has however magnified this importance, with an overwhelming majority (99%) of respondents indicating that it is either important or very important to pursue digital optimization initiatives post-COVID.

Drivers of digital optimization

When asked what is driving them along this path to digital optimization, there were five top factors cited by the 99% of respondents who believe that digital optimization initiatives are either very important or important in the post-COVID environment (figure 4). The need to manage costs is deemed the most important (72% of respondents)

while improving The increase in importance of digital productivity and on-time optimization is driven by the need to performance (60% and manage costs and improve productivity 57% of respondents respectively) are the next 0% 1% Post-COVID (Next 5 Years) most important factors. Just two of the many 21% 78% comments made by respondents on this were: “Constraints on budget Not Important Less Important was the biggest push Important Very Important factor. Interest in digital transformation was a Top 5 driving factors for those who believe means to reduce costs Digital Optimization Initiatives are very throughout the airline”, important / important post-COVID and, “With COVID, it is important for any Need to Manage Costs 72% optimizers to be agile and flexible enough to Improve Productivity 60% cope with the frequent changes in operations Maintain/ Improve On-time that are a norm today”. 57% Performance Cost and productivity are never far from the top Maintain/ Increase 54% Competitiveness of any business’s agenda but, with the huge and rapid process changes Improve Aircraft Reliability 49% demanded in order to Percentage of Respondents conduct business in a Source: Alton analysis post-COVID world, those Figure 4 priorities have been amplified and those items on the agenda now have to be in bold capitals. It is encouraging to see how clear is the sector’s understanding on this.

“The need to manage costs is deemed the most important (72% of respondents) while improving productivity and on-time performance (60% and 57% of respondents respectively) are the next most important.” AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 46


AIRCRAFT IT OPERATIONS SURVEY 2022

The challenges

“However, ambitious and laudable as these objectives might be, those airlines who responded to the survey were realistic about the challenges that they might encounter when tackling them.” Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations

But there are broader factors that have driven the choices that airlines make to realize these trends. Given the high public profile of climate change, that 79% of respondents indicated that environmental and sustainability factors have a moderate to strong influence on optimization software selection, is to be expected. Similarly, fuel and flight path optimization have emerged as key priorities in achieving sustainability goals (figure 5). None of the choices that people make today will be stand-alone, they will all be linked together in their effect. Although ESG factors are very important and are growing in importance, in the immediate business environment and especially for smaller airlines, it is the cost issues that matter most. However, the effect of tackling those cost issues will also drive sustainability goals.

ESG objectives are growing in importance; priorities in this area are fuel optimization and flight path optimization Environmental and Sustainability Factors’ Influence on Flight Planning / Optimization Software Selection 40%

39%

12%

Strong influence

Moderate influence

No influence / N.A.

Top 3 Priority Areas Indicated by Respondents (Strong + Moderate Influence)

61% Fuel Optimization “Fuel cost is still the driving factor – ESG factors will not be the top of mind for smaller airlines”

52% Pre-flight Route Optimization

However, ambitious and laudable as these objectives might be, those airlines who responded to the survey were realistic about the challenges that they might encounter when tackling them. When asked what obstacles might be in the way of their achievement of these objectives, 78% of organizations who are behind schedule in adoption of optimization initiatives cited a lack of in-house expertise as one of their top impediments; furthermore, 80% of respondents who felt that optimization projects did not meet expectations cited the same reason (figure 6).

Despite being a priority, many organizations have found it difficult to implement these initiatives, primarily due to lack of in-house expertise Progress of adoption of optimization initiatives at the respondents’ organization

Lack of in-house expertise to analyze / implement

22%

42%

23%

11% 2%

Significantly behind schedule (behind by >1 year) Slight behind schedule (behind by <1 year) On schedule Slightly ahead of schedule (ahead by <1 year) Significantly ahead of schedule (ahead by >1 year)

78%

Lack of management / key stakeholder support Lack of business case (e.g. high upfront investment, long payback) Lack of trust/ limited experience with optimization algorithms Lack of trusted / reliable partners to implement

57% 49% 38% 35% Percentage of Respondents

“Management needs to have an open mind and have a good understanding of the market – otherwise they will be resistant to change. IT, especially, is one of the biggest roadblocks in our organization” Source: Alton analysis

Figure 6

As the figure shows, the majority of respondents’ organizations are struggling with adoption of optimization initiatives, with 64% being behind schedule and, within that figure, 22% being more than one year behind schedule. The factors contributing to difficulty in implementing optimization initiatives are mainly

43% Inflight Route Optimization

“ESG matters will be on the minds of investors and shareholders who will push the management for it. However, cost is still the #1 priority for most airlines”

“…the majority of respondents’ organizations are struggling with adoption of optimization initiatives, with 64% being behind schedule and, within that figure, 22% being more than one year behind schedule.”

Figure 5 majority (79%) of respondents indicated that environmental and sustainability factors have a moderate to § Large strong influence on optimization software selection, illustrating the growing importance of ESG objectives §

Top 5 impediments in adoption of optimization for organizations that are behind schedule

These respondents indicated that fuel and flight path optimization would be their priorities – areas thatITcan help AIRCRAFT Operations to minimize fuel costs and environmental impact at the same time

• SPRING 2022 • 47


AIRCRAFT IT OPERATIONS SURVEY 2022

internal. A significant portion of respondents (78%) cited the lack of in-house expertise to analyze or implement the digital optimization solutions, while most (57%) also identified lack of management / key stakeholder support as another key challenge. Some of that lack of support must be linked to the third most cited reason of the initiatives lacking a business case because of high upfront investment but a long payback period. Also, perhaps something for developers and vendors to think about, just over a third of respondents cited a lack of trusted and reliable partners with whom to implement optimization.

The priorities

An important element in any adoption of technology or IT based solution is to settle on an order in which to implement things and that means agreeing the business’s priorities. The priority for digital optimization areas post-COVID largely revolves around flight operations and planning functions with the top five priority areas for digital optimization post-COVID shown in figure 7.

Priority for digital optimization areas post-COVID largely revolves around flight operations and planning functions

“…moving forward, the performance-based pricing model is the most preferred (46% of respondents), overtaking the SaaS pricing model (37% of respondents.” Preferred pricing models: changing preferences

Looking at the survey results, there appears to be a growing preference for performance-based / risk-sharing pricing models (figure 8).

There appears to be a growing preference for performance-based / risk-sharing pricing models Current vs Preferred Pricing Models for Digital Optimizers

Top 5 Priority Areas for Digital Optimization Post-COVID

16%

34%

54%

47%

Fuel Optimization

38%

Pre-flight Route Optimization

36% Network Scheduling

46%

15%

Inflight Route Optimization

51%

37%

Current pricing model breakdown

29%

Saas Pricing Model

Notes: Preferred pricing model data excludes respondents (1%) who selected ‘Others – cloud-based’ pricing model

Crew Manpower Planning

Preferred pricing model breakdown

Performance-based Pricing Model

On-premise Pricing Model Source: Alton analysis

Figure 8 Source: Alton analysis

Figure 7

As fuel is the largest cost category for airlines, it is unsurprising that fuel optimization was most frequently ranked among respondents’ top five priorities post-COVID (54% of respondents), with a fifth of respondents indicating it as their top priority overall. However, there were other high-priority areas involving flight path optimization, network scheduling, and crew planning. As is the case with many of these findings, it is all about efficiency, productivity and, of course, safety.

Although today, the SaaS (Software as a Service) pricing model is the most common (51% of respondents) while the performance-based pricing model is the least common (15% of respondents), moving forward, the performance-based pricing model is the most preferred (46% of respondents), overtaking the SaaS pricing model (37% of respondents). Few respondents prefer the on-premise pricing model which entails additional hardware on top of software and recurring costs. Those changing preferences perhaps reflect the ‘Lack of business case…’ impediment in figure 6. Performance-based pricing mitigates the risk in an investment.

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 48


AIRCRAFT IT OPERATIONS SURVEY 2022

Preferred vendors

As we know from the many case studies that have been published in Aircraft IT over the years, the relationship between a solution vendor and the buyer/user is a long-term one that requires high levels of trust if it is to succeed. But, as well as that, it also requires a number of other attributes on the vendor’s part for an airline to select them. The survey asked what purchasing considerations were taken into account when selecting an optimization vendor. The responses showed that ‘traditional’ aviation-related companies are the most preferred vendors, with respondents emphasizing the importance of technical support and data confidentiality/security in their procurement decisions (figure 9).

‘Traditional’ aviation-related companies are the most preferred vendors; respondents emphasize technical support and data confidentiality/security Top 5 Purchasing Considerations for Optimization Vendors

60% Of respondents prefer traditional aviation-related companies to provide digital optimization services “There is a need to demonstrate ‘quick-wins’ from any potential system. In addition, our organization focuses on the transfer of skills – we want to be able to know how to improve our operations with the software”

1

Level of technical support

2

Comprehensive data protection / cybersecurity services

3

Capability of optimizer

4

Assurance on data confidentiality

5

Proven track record Source: Alton analysis

Additionally, as we’ve seen in previous surveys and in case studies in Aircraft IT, airlines are looking for a high level of technical support that runs right through the lifecycle of a solution. Concerns about levels of in-house expertise (figure 6) don’t just determine the speed of adoption for optimization but also, because it’s a long-term commitment, customers need to be confident that support will be always there and will be fast. The fact that ‘Comprehensive data protection/ cybersecurity services is the second consideration when choosing a vendor reflects both the growing importance of and potential for vulnerability for IT solutions.

NEW IT TECHNOLOGIES

As well as the traditional technologies of the PC or terminal on every desk, there is a growing inventory of new technologies harnessing not only developments in electronics but also process and application progress. Whereas once, being a year of two behind the latest technology might not have been critical, because IT is so central to modern business, being behind in technology developments can today be a market differentiator.

The Cloud

Given the flexibility, accessibility, and ease of use for Cloud services, it is also no surprise that spending on cloud products is expected to grow from 28% of total IT spending today to 51% in the next five years (figure 10), with the biggest factors driving cloud adoption cited as IT cost reductions, increased flexibility and scalability, plus improved performance and reliability.

Spending on cloud solutions is likely to increase compared to pre-COVID; increasing flexibility and reducing cost were cited as key drivers

Figure 9

Estimated spending on Cloud products / solutions as a percentage of the organizations’ total IT spending

It shows that, for provision of digital optimization services, the majority (60% of respondents) prefer to partner with companies that have traditionally played in the aviation software space instead of alternatives such as data science specialists or technology companies. The top purchasing consideration is the level of technical support, followed by data protection/security and optimizer capabilities.

“…for provision of digital optimization services, the majority (60% of respondents) prefer to partner with companies that have traditionally played in the aviation software space instead of alternatives such as data science specialists or technology companies.”

Outlook à

22%

e Pr

O -C

VI

D

19

51%

46%

37%

Top 5 drivers for Cloud adoption 1

IT cost reduction (i.e. as a source of savings)

2

Increased systems flexibility and scalability

3

Improved IT system performance and reliability

4

Changing business model / pivoting towards digital

5

Obsolete or lack of vendor support on legacy systems

28%

d To

ay N

t ex

Ye

ar N

t3 ex

Ye

s ar N

t5 ex

Ye

s ar

Source: Alton analysis

Figure 10

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 49


AIRCRAFT IT OPERATIONS SURVEY 2022

The survey asked how well respondents’ airlines were implementing their cloud adoption programs with the result that we found that half of respondents are behind schedule (figure 11).

Slightly less than half of airlines are behind schedule in their cloud adoption programs; data security continues to be the main challenge Progress of Cloud adoption at the respondents’ organization Significantly behind schedule (>1 year)

25%

Slightly behind schedule (<1 year)

25%

On schedule

38%

Slightly ahead of schedule (<1 year) Significantly ahead of schedule (<1 year)

50% behind schedule

Main impediments behind the adoption of Cloud usage currently

COVID-19 was deemed to have a positive impact on cloud and cybersecurity adoption, driven by the need for cost savings and data security COVID-19’s impact on technology adoption Cloud products / solutions Cybersecurity services Enterprise automation

17% 8% 14% 19%

AI/ ML

19%

AR & VR IoT (including 5G) Blockchain

Integration challenges

65%

36%

Big Data (Data analytics and BI)

Data security

18%

35%

51%

37%

45%

41%

21%

40% 54%

15%

24%

62%

14%

23%

68%

Decrease in Adoption

Managing multi-cloud / cloud integration

“Cybersecurity is becoming top of mind because of a recent cyber attack. Any software acquired will need to align with enterprise-level cybersecurity framework”

56%

Neutral Impact

18%

“Cybersecurity is being outsourced – but today it is done mostly in-house with some external support”

Increase in Adoption

Main factors driving increase in adoption of above technologies

Lack of in-house capability / resources High cost / insufficient budget

75%

“There was some fear over data security issues as we moved to the cloud” – Small European carrier

9% 3%

46%

Achieve Cost Savings

Increase Data Security

Source: Alton analysis

Figure 12 Source: Alton analysis

Figure 11

Looking at the adoption of cloud services which looks, on the face of it, to be lagging behind the general rating of the importance of digital optimization initiatives, data security was ranked as the top impediment behind slow cloud adoption. This concern is shared across a number of areas that have been discussed in Aircraft IT in recent times and so is clearly an area that IT solution developers and vendors need to address. Among those who indicated that cloud adoption was behind schedule, data security (see above), integration challenges, and a lack of in-house capability/ resources were cited as the top stumbling blocks to implementation currently and moving into the future. That lack of in-house expertise is reflected in the finding that, when asked how they expected to achieve their IT goals, 77% of respondents expressed a preference to acquire rather than develop optimization solutions in-house, at least in the next five years. These were the same issues that impeded implementation in the past, indicating that they are persistent in nature and yet to be resolved.

COVID had the greatest impact on cloud and cybersecurity adoption being cited by 65% and 56% of respondents respectively. The most common reasons for adoption were to achieve cost savings (75% of respondents) and increase data security (46% of respondents).

Procurement considerations

Given the responses already recorded to other questions, the top considerations for procurement decisions offer few surprises. They emphasize capabilities, cost, technical support and customizability (figure 13). The top considerations for procurement center on capabilities, cost, technical support and customizability Top 5 procurement considerations

79% Software Capability/ Scalability

78% Capital and Operating Cost

77% Level of Technical Support

71% Specialist Expertise of Software Provider

70% Level of Customizability Source: Alton analysis

Figure 13

Cybersecurity

It isn’t often that we can find anything positive to say about COVID-19. However, the pandemic and how airlines had to react to it was revealed by the survey to have had a positive impact on attitudes to and prioritizing of cloud and cybersecurity adoption, driven by the need for cost savings and data security (figure 12).

The most important procurement considerations are software capability and scalability, cited by 79% of respondents, capital and operating cost cited by 78% of respondents, and level of technical support cited by 77% of respondents. Specialist expertise, and level of customizability are also among the top procurement considerations. Notably, software brand name was ranked as significantly less important.

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 50


AIRCRAFT IT OPERATIONS SURVEY 2022

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Looking forward, the majority of respondents to the survey told us that the big areas for investment over the next one to three years would be big data, enterprise automation, artificial intelligence, and cyber security (figure 14). In comparison, IoT and AR/VR technologies did not rank highly on respondents’ investment agenda. Looking forward, big data, enterprise automation, artificial intelligence, and cyber security look to be the next big areas for investment Top areas for technological investment in the next 1-3 Years

1

BIG DATA

76%

4

CYBER SECURITY

52%

2

ENTERPRISE AUTOMATION

63%

5

IoT (Including 5G)

31%

3

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

59%

6

AUGMENTED and VIRTUAL REALITY

24%

Figure 14

Source: Alton analysis

That in itself will be of interest to solution developers and vendors given that also, 76% of respondents said that they are looking to invest in these four areas within the next one to three years. However, notwithstanding the generally heightened level of intentions regarding IT solutions, there still have to be priorities. Big data, enterprise automation, AI, and cybersecurity are the future for a majority of respondents.

SUMMARY

The COVID-19 crisis has changed aviation. For many years, we have talked about the benefits of digitalization with integrated and enhanced IT platforms for airlines, but the adoption of these new technologies has been slow. The presence of a growing volume of data available for analysis has laid the foundation for the use of analytics in aviation, however, the drive to use this data for optimization has accelerated only since the pandemic. Operators looking to reduce cost, cope with increasing operational complexities, and improve their overall competitiveness have taken the opportunity during this period to hasten their digital transformation efforts. That said, a lack of in-house expertise to

“Operators looking to reduce cost, cope with increasing operational complexities, and improve their overall competitiveness have taken the opportunity during this period to hasten their digital transformation efforts.” implement and take advantage of the digital optimization tools creates challenges, with operators having to rely on the assistance of software providers in the near-to-medium term. The digital transformation wave within airlines is not only centered around digital optimizers. Operators are also looking to invest in areas involving cloud technologies, Big Data, and enterprise automation. Similarly, this is driven by the need to become as cost and operationally efficient as possible, in order to build and retain a competitive edge against other airlines in an increasingly challenging industry.

GET THE FULL REPORT

In an article such as this, we cannot offer the level of detail that the survey generated but anyone who is interested in seeing the full report can contact and request it from Alton Aviation Consultancy. To email, click here

ALTON AVIATION CONSULTANCY

Alton Aviation Consultancy is an independent, global aviation consulting firm with clients across commercial, financial and technical disciplines, and offices in New York, Dublin, Dubai, Tokyo, Beijing, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The firm has significant experience delivering large, complex consulting engagements for clients in aviation and aerospace. Alton’s global team includes seasoned industry executives from across the value chain, together with experts in business strategy, management, finance, data analysis, operations, and aerospace technology. INTERACTIVE GIVE US YOUR OPINION CLICK HERE TO POST YOUR COMMENT INTERACTIVE SUBSCRIBE HERE CLICK HERE TO READ ALL FUTURE EDITIONS

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 51


AIRCRAFT IT Operations: VENDOR FLIGHT LOG

VENDOR FLIGHT LOG: ASAP

Cecil Teets shares the key principles of excellent and consistent aircraft performance information with great customer service that drive Automated Systems In Aircraft Performance Mr. Cecil Teets leads a team of experts in aviation engineering and operations that remains committed to offering airline clients the finest, most reliable and comprehensive runway analysis and weight/balance data systems available anywhere. Using the many different skills and experiences from his career, Mr. Teets combined them all to build the service standards that exist today. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering along with earning his Commercial License Instrument Multi-Engine ratings. Aircraft IT: Your name, your job title and the name of the business? Cecil W. Teets: Cecil W. Teets — President/CEO, Automated Systems In Aircraft Performance, Inc. Aircraft IT: How did Automated Systems In Aircraft Performance get started? CWT: Back in 1995, the need was recognized for a

company completely devoted to runway analysis and weight & balance services, as their primary business. Other companies had been providing this service, but as an add-on to their main business. Therefore, they never really provided the necessary resources, to enable, great service to their customers. Thus, Automated Systems In Aircraft Performance was started to provide this dedicated service.

“‘STAR’ not only connects dispatch with the flight deck, but also integrates operational data together as never before. Changes done in the cockpit are reflected in the dispatch office and vice-a-versa.” AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 52

Aircraft IT: What is the guiding business principle that drives Automated Systems In Aircraft Performance? CWT: To provide great service at an affordable price. To be able to give the customer that service ASAP as the acronym implies. Aircraft IT: What has been Automated Systems In Aircraft Performance’s greatest business achievement to date, and why? CWT: Our latest product ‘STAR’ not only connects dispatch with the flight deck, but also integrates operational data together as never before. Changes done in the cockpit are reflected in the dispatch office and vice-a-versa. Everyone is on the same page. Engine failure departure procedures are


AIRCRAFT IT Operations: VENDOR FLIGHT LOG

depicted in a video representation from the cockpit’s point of view, along with a graphical picture overlay. A picture is worth a thousand words and a video is worth even more. The speed of completion will save so much time, without errors, and protects the flight against exceeding any and all limitations. The exact condition of the flight (weather, aircraft systems, flight loading, etc.) is used for the calculations to determine maximum performance of the aircraft by STAR. Crew members manually calculating weights, thrust settings, decision speeds, center of gravity, etc. is simply eliminated. This enables the flight crew to use their time more wisely on flying the aircraft, communicating between crew members, and executing a safe flight. Aircraft IT: What have been your disappointments and what have you learned from them? CWT: Technologies are now constantly evolving and modernizing. Which means a lot of older systems can be left in the dust or forgotten about. I’ve

“… we also have to adapt to newer technology, create more modern solutions, and to not just think about how to mold our systems to today’s problems but also tomorrow’s.” learned that we also have to adapt to newer technology, create more modern solutions, and to not just think about how to mold our systems to today’s problems but also tomorrow’s. Aircraft IT: In a sentence, how would you summarize what Automated Systems In Aircraft Performance does for aircraft operations customers? CWT: Provides aircraft performance (take-off, landing, flight, and loading) information for the exact conditions and connects dispatch, flight crew, and ground handling together.

Aircraft IT: What do you feel will be the next big thing in operations Aviation IT? CWT: Increased high speed connectivity to enable graphical and video communications capabilities between devices and locations. Aircraft IT: What do you want your customers to say about Automated Systems In Aircraft Performance CWT: The company is an expert in aircraft performance with supreme attention to customer support. Aircraft IT: Cecil W. Teets, thank you for your time.

BOUNDLESS BACK ISSUES START YOUR INVESTMENT WITH OUR EXTENSIVE BACK ISSUES OF IT SOLUTIONS CLICK HERE

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 53

AIRCRAFT IT Operations


AIRCRAFT IT Operations: THE WORLD ACCORDING TO IT & ME!

The World according to IT & Me! Paul Saunders sees serverless computing as the next big step into the future

I

t’s been a long time since my last column here. Six years to be exact. As you would expect, I’ve been pretty busy in that time and a lot of stuff has happened as it has for everyone. I’ve even spent the last three years outside of aerospace and learned a lot in that time. Mainly that the challenges facing other industries are pretty much the same challenges as we face in our own. Fun topics like dealing with distributed teams, migrating to cloud, optimizing processes, shifting to paperless, assuring quality and compliance, moving data from one place to another, squeezing the last drop of usefulness out of assets and finite resources. Sound familiar? More on that stuff in future editions. The last three years have been spent working with the latest cloud technology and building next-gen SaaS (Software as a Service) apps entirely within a serverless computing framework. Although I’d previously worked on cloud-based apps, they were all using virtual servers which replicated the capabilities of a real server in a virtual sense. Serverless computing represents a radical step forward and disrupts the way

“Serverless computing represents a radical step forward and disrupts the way we think about building, running and even pricing software.”

we think about building, running and even pricing software. It’s revolutionary stuff. It got me thinking about equivalent revolutions throughout history.

THE SERVERLESS REVOLUTION

At what point in the bronze age do you think that the average person realized they were in the midst of a massive technological shift? When did we start referring to the period between 1760 and 1820 as The Industrial Revolution? I would imagine that a metal smith in Ancient Mesopotamia and a Georgian Industrialist had an understanding that they were working on some ground breaking and cutting-edge stuff, but did they fully appreciate the monumental shift that they were part of? I would suggest that we are in the midst of a technological movement that, in the distant future, will be considered just as significant as the Industrial Revolution or the Bronze Age, but most people probably know nothing about it.

A GAME CHANGER

Serverless computing is a massive game changer in IT. In a nutshell, serverless computing allows software providers to stop thinking about hardware and focus on building software. Cloud computing allowed us to do that to an extent. But, until recently, when building or hosting cloud-based software we still had to think about the virtual hardware and its resources for it to run effectively. Virtual servers allowed us to shift the cost of doing so from a capital investment to an operational expense. It gave us greater freedom to flex resources as requirements and demand changed over time. But as software providers we still had to AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 54

think carefully and deeply about hardware, albeit virtual. Serverless computing changes that mindset for ever. Now, when software needs to perform a task, instead of competing for resources on a cloud-based virtual machine, that execution is carried out in an isolated computing service that is spun up on-demand and self-destructs when it’s done. This means that scale and cost can be tackled in a completely different way. For end-users it means you can be assured of greater availability, scalability, and flexibility from your SaaS providers. It enables instant capability when previously that was extremely cost prohibitive. I’d be surprised if your own IT teams, and SaaS providers haven’t already started migrating their services to serverless technology. I know our own team have had a major push toward containerization in recent years and by adopting emerging technology such as Kubernetes and other DevOps innovations they are now able to support new ways of thinking about distributed systems as well as commence the migration from Public Cloud to Private and Hybrid clouds. The pace of change is accelerating. Before the average software user becomes aware of serverless computing, it will be so ubiquitous that nobody will care and we’ll be onto the next revolution. If SaaS providers aren’t already embracing serverless computing, they’ll be assigned to the history books like the Luddites and Stone Age civilizations that went before them. That’s the world according to IT & me. • For more information on Serverless tech, I recommend reading the AWS guide to serverless computing https://aws.amazon.com/serverless/ (similar articles are available on other Cloud provider websites)


Missed an issue of Operations? CLICK ON THE COVER TO FLY BACK IN TIME NOW…

AIRCRAFT IT Operations CASE STUDY: CANADIAN NORTH • SPICEJET WHITE PAPER: EUROCONTROL

NEW TECHNOLOGY: SITA FOR AIRCRAFT

JULY-AUGUST 2021 • V10.3

Digital documents help Canadian North With a merger and COVID, one system for manuals was a boon

Collaborative ATM and TBO A new flight planning format and process

SpiceJet embraces A unified solution fuel efficiency for operations Less fuel means less cost and increased profitability

Digital Day of Operations brings it all together

NEWS • VENDOR FLIGHT LOGS: PACE • eTT AVIATION • AVIOBOOK SOFTWARE DIRECTORY

AIRCRAFT IT Operations V10.3 JULY-AUGUST 2021 CASE STUDIES CANADIAN NORTH • SPICEJET WHITE PAPER EURO CONTROL

AIRCRAFT IT Operations NEW TECHNOLOGY: AIR FRANCE WHITE PAPER: WEB MANUALS • ALTON AVIATION CONSULTANCY HOW TECHNOLOGIES WORK: STORKJET

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 • V10.4

Predictive analytics drive savings at Air France Presenting pilots with the right information improves in-flight fuel and CO2 savings

Why tail-specific performance? AI and flight data deliver a model specific to each aircraft

Looking to a connected future Driving passenger comfort and better retail sales in flights

Paperless and securely mounted

Paperless documentation and putting it where the pilot can see it

NEWS • VENDOR FLIGHT LOGS: STORKJET • SAFETY LINE • EVOKE SYSTEMS • BYTRON • SOLUTIONS IN PRACTICE: PIVOT

AIRCRAFT IT Operations V10.4 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021

WHITE PAPER WEB MANUALS • ALTON AVIATION CONSULTANCY HOW TECHNOLOGIES WORK STORKJET

AIRCRAFT IT Operations CASE STUDIES: SUNCLASS AIRLINES • JET AVIATION • TITAN AIRWAYS • VOLARIS

WINTER 2021 • V10.5

Sunclass gets a new Operations solution A new airline implements change during the pandemic

A new EFB for Jet Aviation Managing the change from paper to electronic

Titan Airways Better fuel TechLog updated planning at Volaris The benefits of a new ELB for a specialist carrier

Less fuel and CO2, and greater efficiency

NEWS • VENDOR FLIGHT LOGS: OPENAIRLINES • NAVBLUE • EVIONICA

AIRCRAFT IT Operations V10.5 WINTER 2021

CASE STUDIES SUNCLASS AIRLINES • JET AVIATION TITAN AIRWAYS • VOLARIS VENDOR FLIGHT LOGS OPEN AIRLINES • NAVBLUE • EVIONICA

AIRCRAFT IT Operations


CASE STUDY: PLAY

Going paperless from the start at PLAY When PLAY launched, the plan was to keep things simple and paperless: Finnbogi Karl Bjarnason, Director Flight Operations, Operations at PLAY explains how that was achieved. AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 56


CASE STUDY: PLAY

T

here is a long-established aphorism in business, ‘Keep it simple stupid’ or KISS. The term was coined by the US Navy in 1960 and it means that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than made complicated. In the context of this article, simplicity should be a key objective when devising any software solution, while complicated processes and procedures should be avoided. Like many sayings that have lasted the course, this one has benefited from itself offering a simple concept and that will be a theme of this case study in which I’ll share with you our experience of launching a new airline, sourcing the right software solution and implementing it, all during the unexpected time of COVID. But first, let me tell you a little about PLAY, the airline itself.

PLAY

The airline was founded by a group of ambitious and experienced middle management personnel in the aviation industry that suddenly found themselves without a job after a dive in the industry in Europe 2018-2019. The team that started the process developed a new idea but based on the same basic concept of a low-cost carrier (LCC) using the hub and spoke system, during Covid the opportunity just grew bigger. That new business was PLAY focusing primarily on intercontinental flights between North America and Europe with a stop in Iceland (figure 1).

We consider Iceland to be perfectly located for these routes. Some might wonder why we do not simply fly from the West coast of Europe to the East coast of America but the reality is that not everyone lives in London and not everyone in London wants to go only to Boston. So, PLAY is launching flights to Trondheim and Stavanger in Norway and Gothenburg in Sweden, destinations that currently lack intercontinental flights. They have flights to larger airports within their own countries but not to other continents. That is, basically, what the hub and spoke system offers. We will be distributing passengers on either side of the North Atlantic Ocean (the ‘Pond’) with Iceland conveniently located in the middle. As with any low-cost carrier, the general idea is to offer a great service but at a reasonable price. To that end, one key thing that we keep in mind for everything that we do is simplicity: if we can do things in a simple way, we do. Even when evaluating new projects or procedures, if things start to look complex, we’ll remind ourselves that this might not be for us. In pursuit of simplicity, we will re-think in order to ensure that things are fluid and simple because, if they’re simple they will be relatively easy to manage, which should mean less overhead and less cost, resulting in a lower cost for passengers. That’s the attitude.

“As with any low-cost carrier, the general idea is to offer a great service but at a reasonable price. To that end, one key thing that we keep in mind for everything that we do is simplicity.” Figure 1

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 57


CASE STUDY: PLAY

GOING PAPERLESS FOR DOCUMENTATION

The decision to be paperless ties in with that simplicity principle; we have to be able to quickly update various manuals or leaflets for the crew who will be situated on both sides of the North Atlantic. It isn’t possible, in a simple manner, to simultaneously distribute material to hundreds of crew members on paper. Web Manuals gives us the option of distributing important manuals, procedures and other materials simultaneously to wherever personnel are located in the world, not forgetting that this also helps to reduce our carbon footprint. We chose Web Manuals because we were familiar with the product and its capabilities and are very satisfied with it. We saw no value in evaluating a group of other platforms when we already were familiar with one that fits our criteria. It’s automatic in many functions, it’s robust, it’s simple and it’s user-friendly (figure 2).

For the fleet, the first three aircraft, delivered in 2018, were Airbus A321neos and very recently, we have set up on our operator’s certificate, a brand-new A320neo — so new that it still had the plastic wrapping on the tables which had to be taken off for the first flight. So, we have new equipment using really efficient engines… everything to support the low-cost operating model and keep the CO2 emissions to a minimum. Civil aviation is a highly polluting industry and we are determined to leave as small a carbon footprint as possible.

Figure 2

As far as selection criteria were concerned, we were not only focusing on cost, it was also important for us to know that the solution would be right for our operation. Web Manuals is not the cheapest option but we believe that it is the best option for PLAY.

“…we have to be able to quickly update various manuals or leaflets for the crew who will be situated on both sides of the North Atlantic. It isn’t possible, in a simple manner, to simultaneously distribute material to hundreds of crew members on paper.” AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 58


CASE STUDY: PLAY

HOW WEB MANUALS WORKS

We work in an extremely regulated industry and, in light of that, Web Manuals is a great tool; as well as the manuals, it also offers Compliance Libraries. All manuals have to be written in compliance with multiple regulations, from flight safety and security to the airworthiness of aircraft, operating procedures and the licensing of aircrew personnel. Web Manuals offers users the option to easily provide a compliance statement to the authorities by making the compliance libraries available to be integrated into the individual sections of the manuals. For example, a procedure in one manual can be linked to the appropriate regulation which, in itself, is very helpful. But also, the same regulation can be linked in multiple manuals; so, when we are audited by the authorities and they ask us, ‘how do you perform this procedure?’ we can simply go into Web Manuals, clip the particular regulation on which they’re questioning us and immediately demonstrate that there is a reference to it in this manual, this manual and that manual. That visibility extends even down to the section in each manual where the regulation is referred to. It means that, in a straightforward and easy way, we can prove our compliance.

IMPLEMENTING WEB MANUALS IN PLAY

End users who read the manuals don’t need any on-boarding process because the system is simple and user-friendly. However, the managers or editors of the

“…a procedure in one manual can be linked to the appropriate regulation which, in itself, is very helpful. But also, the same regulation can be linked in multiple manuals…” content need to have a relatively comprehensive knowledge of operating the system because it isn’t the same as just typing into a Word document. As already mentioned, there are all the compliance connections and references between manuals; it’s easy to make things worse but, if you know how to operate the system, it will prove to be very user-friendly. The Web Manuals team offered us a training course for the first users of the system. That covered about three days in total but spread over a few weeks and included three or four hours of training on editing and layout. PLAY did a lot of customization on the manuals to ensure that, even though they are electronic, they have cover pages and look good. Although the manuals are never printed out, they are set-up in a printable manner; so that users can read the

The new standard in digitizing manuals Web Manuals is an easy-to-use document editing application for fast authoring of company manuals with automated revision control, compliance monitoring, distribution and full audit trail. The Web Manuals application empowers managers, auditors and authorities in the online review and approval process.

CONTROL

COMPLIANCE

www.webmanuals.aero

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 59

AGILITY

EFFICIENCY


CASE STUDY: PLAY

manual as if it was a printed book. Training was extensive but to the point and, for the little bits and pieces that can be forgotten, Web Manuals offers online courses where users can refresh their knowledge, ensure that they are up-to-date and be reminded of any items that might need to be revised. We don’t provide end users with any training because, if you know how to operate any sort of tablet, or smart phone, you will be able to operate Web Manuals. Implementation took two years, not because of Web Manuals and not directly because of COVID, because everything from Web Manuals is on the Web, online. However, COVID did delay the launch of the airline which, in turn, delayed the implementation. Had it not been for that, we could have completed the implementation and training within a month from signing the contract. One thing that happened while we were implementing the solution was the release of Web Manuals version 8.0 which had been keenly anticipated by users of the platform. It was a gamechanger, making it even more attractive for the team, who had already used Web Manuals, to re-connect with the improved solution. It had been, in the past, more challenging to navigate whereas with version 8.0 it’s almost as easy for the editors to edit the manuals as it is for the readers to read them (figure 3).

“…COVID did delay the launch of the airline which, in turn, delayed the implementation. Had it not been for that, we could have completed the implementation and training within a month from signing the contract. ” REGULATORY APPROVAL

To be issued with an Air Operator’s Certificate, PLAY had to undergo an extensive set of audits by the regulating authority, the Icelandic Transport Administration. Fortunately, they were already familiar with the Web Manuals platform so could have confidence in it. However, at the same time, we also had to provide various statements to the regulator as well as a set of risk assessments and, because PLAY uses these applications onboard the aircraft, we had to also obtain an electronic flight bag approval. This was where we had to ensure compliance and demonstrate to the authorities the robustness of the system we were planning to use. Web Manuals supplied all the statements that were required for the approval making the process very straightforward.

TAKE-AWAYS FROM THIS PROJECT

Figure 3

We have been asked to be a reference to be approached by another potential customer for Web Manuals who was unsure how to combine some of the aircraft manuals with Web Manuals. There is no single platform that works for everyone and everything; there always has to be a compromise to an extent. I can only speak for Web Manuals but, once you have realized how to properly use the system you will also see that not all manuals can be on the same platform. Some of the aircraft manuals will be managed by the manufacturers so there is no need to customize them in Web Manuals; we simply publish them as PDFs — they’re still available and accessible through Web Manuals but we only customize our own manuals. My advice to others is to think outside of the box, think how the paperless solution can be an addition to the tools that you have already but not necessarily the only single solution because there is no single solution. As I’ve already mentioned above, our focus at PLAY is always on simplicity and that sits very well with Web Manuals, a simple and user-friendly tool which is intuitive to use. In brief, it delivered on everything that we wanted. Initially, we had planned to start the airline in just a couple of months before COVID hit and Web AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 60


CASE STUDY: PLAY

Manuals was willing to work to that deadline. They’ve delivered everything that we’ve asked for.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

We haven’t really decided on the future plan yet and are currently in the process of reviewing all of our software solutions. We’re probably not using Web Manuals to the fullest extent possible but are using it widely, not only for operational staff but also for external parties and other PLAY departments that are not directly related to Operations such as the commercial department and the service department so our use is extensive for the platform it is. That is the story of our selection and implementation of a paperless solution at PLAY. I hope that there are some ideas and experience in there which readers will find useful when they also are facing a similar challenge.

“Some of the aircraft manuals will be managed by the manufacturers so there is no need to customize them in Web Manuals; we simply publish them as PDFs – they’re still available and accessible through Web Manuals but we only customize our own manuals.”

FINNBOGI KARL BJARNASON

Finnbogi started his career in aviation as an Operations Controller. Since then, he has worked in various positions and projects such as, Ground Standards Specialist, Pilot Ground Instructor, Manager Flight Support and Director Flight Operations. He has been a user of paperless solutions during most of his career in the industry, while operating both Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

PLAY

PLAY is a new Icelandic low-cost airline operating flights between North America and Europe, offering low-cost flights and a safe and pleasant journey in a fleet of new and comfortable Airbus aircraft. Safety is the name of the game at PLAY. Other core values are on-time performance, simplicity, happiness and low prices.

WEB MANUALS INTERNATIONAL AB

With headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, and offices in San Diego, California and Singapore. Web Manuals is a tool for digitizing manuals to simplify authoring and distribution of company manuals for the aviation industry. Web Manuals is used by more than 440 flag carriers, regional operators, wet-lease operators, business jet operators, helicopter operators and aviation service providers around the world. INTERACTIVE GIVE US YOUR OPINION CLICK HERE TO POST YOUR COMMENT INTERACTIVE SUBSCRIBE HERE CLICK HERE TO READ ALL FUTURE EDITIONS

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 61


AIRCRAFT IT Operations: VENDOR FLIGHT LOG

VENDOR FLIGHT LOG: DEXTRA DATA

Anne Gibson shares the secret of DextraData’s success through the ability to adapt the Logipad EFF & EFB solution for the needs of each customer Anne Gibson is Business Consultant for DextraData’s EFF & EFB Solution Logipad. From the start of her career, she has been driving digitization in the general airline industry, but especially among airlines. Anne has more than 10 years of expertise around aviation and digitization consulting. In addition to her work as a consultant, as a trained flight attendant, Anne knows aircraft and the entire industry inside out: For more than seven years she worked for the well-known German airline Lufthansa. On behalf of DextraData, Anne leverages Logipad against the madness of pilots’ paper in the cockpit and flight attendants’ paper in the cabin. She works to create a relaxed and efficient flight operation. Aircraft IT: Your name, your job title and the name of the business? Anne Gibson: Anne Gibson, Business Consultant, DextraData GmbH (Logipad). Aircraft IT: How did Logipad by DextraData get started? AG: The Electronic Flight Bag and Electronic Flight Folder Solution named ‘Logipad’ can trace its beginnings back to 2002. After a request from a German Airline, Logipad was developed. It was created by in-house developers and a team that worked very closely with the customers. Even today we are in regular communications with pilots and cabin crew members, as well as

maintenance staff and back-office teams to constantly expand and improve the functionalities of the Logipad Application. Working directly and closely with our customers is one of the most important parts to us. DextraData itself was founded back in 1995 when

there were still ZIP drives instead of clouds and Bytes were still written without Giga. IT was just a cost factor. A quarter of a century later, DextraData stores entire data centers in the cloud, calculates in petabytes and understands IT as an important part of the digital value chain.

“we are in regular communications with pilots and cabin crew members, as well as maintenance staff and back-office teams to constantly expand and improve the functionalities of the Logipad Application. Working directly and closely with our customers is one of the most important parts to us. ” AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 62


AIRCRAFT IT Operations: VENDOR FLIGHT LOG

“… technology based on data must help with optimization in order to reduce CO2 as much as possible. With Logipad, we are contributing to this.” Aircraft IT: What is the guiding business principle that drives DextraData? AG: Solutions that make our customers more successful. The future means digitization and digitization means networking machines, people, processes and services in order to make relevant business decisions. Economic success is closely linked to the use of the right business applications: software that analyzes, optimizes, increases efficiency and offers security. And all this as ‘Trusted Advice’. Aircraft IT: What has Logipad’s greatest business achievement been to date, and why? AG: Our greatest business success cannot be described with numbers, but with the satisfaction of and good feedback from our customers. We maintain a very close relationship with all our customers and this exchange plus the common goal to have a safe flight execution with all the features it needs is the greatest success for us. We serve small and large airlines as well as business jet operators and cargo airlines. We are proud, that Logipad can be used for all airlines worldwide. Aircraft IT: What have been your disappointments and what have you learned from them? AG: One of the biggest disappointments is to see again and again the little things that often cause digitization to fail. For instance, when target groups don’t take the time to look at solutions and thus miss out on huge opportunities. From what we have learned we know that we want to keep making low-threshold offers to help these people jump over the low hurdles.

Aircraft IT: In a sentence, how would you summarize what Logipad does for aircraft operations customers? AG: We enable pilots to have a paperless cockpit before flight, in flight and after the flight with our ability to display forms (eForms), documents (Documentation) and briefings where we get the data linked to other systems. Aircraft IT: What do you feel will be the next big thing in operations Aviation IT? AG: Sustainable flying. Reducing carbon emissions is the mission, zero-carbon engines is the goal. Until then, technology based on data must help with optimization in order to reduce CO2 as much as possible. With Logipad, we are contributing to this.

Join the flight

Aircraft IT: What do you want your customers to say about Logipad. AG: We place the biggest focus on customization, and this is also the point where we clearly stand out from our competitors. For us, the most important thing is that the customer fully understands and makes the best use of Logipad and thus has his familiar forms and processes mapped in digital form. The Logipad Application with its three Modules (Briefing, Documentation and eForms) will look a little different for every customer, because every airline has different requirements and regulations. We adapt the app to the customer and not the other way around.

To board simply email scott.leslie@aircraftit.com for more information

Aircraft IT: Anne Gibson, thank you for your time. AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 63

Webinars • eJournals Software • News Conferences Advisory Unit

AIRCRAFT IT Operations

www.aircraftIT.com


DIRECTORY

Operations Software Directory Key ‘at-a-glance’ information from the world’s leading Operations software providers. IT is a powerful force but, to leverage its greatest value, it must be harnessed and directed. It must also be able to handle huge and growing data streams that record every aspect in the ways that aircraft fly, how they are readied and the conditions they will meet. This challenge has attracted the best brains and most innovative enterprises to create IT solutions for one of the most demanding working environments, Aircraft Operations. Inevitably, there are many such developers and vendors offering solutions ranging from single function ‘Specialist Point Solutions’ to complete ‘End-to-End’ solutions covering the whole process. Only readers will know the specific requirements of their businesses but we have assembled a directory of the best Operations software providers and listed them alphabetically to make it easier for you to undertake a brief-ish (there are 44 providers and the number continues to grow) survey of the market, preliminary to starting on any specification and selection process. Or you might simply read it to keep up to date with what is available today.

ACFT PERFO

Air Support A/S

Automated Systems In Aircraft Performance (ASAP)

W: www.acftperfo.com T: +32 476 76 76 08 E: info@acftperfo.com

W: W: T: E:

W: www.asapinc.net T: +1 724-742-4777 E: info@asapinc.net

Location: Waterloo, Belgium

www.ppsflightplanning.com flightwatch.ppsflightplanning.com +45 7533 8889 sales@airsupport.dk

Location: Billund, Denmark

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • WORLD AIRPORT DATABASE Compatible for ALL TO Performance soft • All A/C Types TO. & LAND. • Performance soft • EFB SOFTWARE SUITE • Operational support in Performance and Operations • EFLS Electronic loading system ground operations ACFTPERFO has acquired a solid experience in the development of electronic flight bags tools and related support since start up in 1999. Our products are in continuous evolution in order to adapt to new regulations or practices in this rapidly changing business. We use our expertise to help customers and our commitment is to find the best solution for any challenge an airline could face. Safety is a major concern of our ACFTPERFO team and our airport database has been developed to be the best on the market. It is maintained up to date using extremely efficient tools which guarantee the highest level of accuracy and follow up.

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • PPS Flight Planning, CrewBriefing • Ops Control | Flight Watch

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • ASAP STAR System

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Flight Planning • Flight tracking • Crew briefing facilities

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Runway Analysis • Weight and Balance • OEI Turn Procedures • Drift Down • Flt Planning/Sched/Res Integration

AIR SUPPORT specializes in the provision of the desktop and cloud-based flight planning software PPS Flight Planning System (PPS) and the integrated CrewBriefing web application and flight tracking. The PPS Flight Planning System (PPS) is one of the leading flight planning systems in the world due to the optimization of operating costs along with its incredible and flexible usability. PPS generates a complete briefing package available directly on CrewBriefing or its accompanying app, providing the crew with online access to company messages, flight log, trip-tailored surface weather data, NOTAMs, wind- and significant weather charts and the high-quality vertical cross-sectional chart. The combined synergy of PPS will ensure that your airline will have the most modern and powerful flight planning system available. PPS offers: • World’s most flexible airline flight planning system • Automated filing, calculation and dispatch of all selected flights • Automated data import from scheduling/crew/maintenance systems • Automated data export to EFB solutions • Automated consideration of company policies and dispatch parameters • Automated high quality flight briefing packages • Low acquisition and running costs offering highest costbenefit ratio in the market

Automated Systems in Aircraft Performance, Inc. has been supplying runway analysis since 1995. The STAR EFB and Flight Operations software would be a great asset by not only improving safety but also saving money through fuel planning and reduced wear on engines through the use of reduced power takeoffs. The STAR product integrates runway analysis, weight & balance, drift down, flight planning, scheduling, reservations into one easy to use application. Along with these features the product also displays Weather, NOTAMs, and One Engine Inoperative escape routes. To help manage users, devices, and system updates, the Mission Control Module eases the burden for the IT department. You may distribute the application through the Apple Business Manager for more control over software implementation and updates. Additionally, the application has the ability to run with and without an internet connection, allowing pilots and dispatchers to always have the ability to calculate performance data. ASAP provides services for all aircraft variations, configurations, and engine types. All in one application.

• Premium flight tracking via OpsControl

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 64

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo


DIRECTORY

Avionics Support Group W: www.asginc.net T: +1 305-378-9786 E: info@asginc.net

ASQS (Advanced Safety and Quality Solutions) W: www.asqs.net T: +43 1 306 1234 E: sales@asqs.net

Location: Florida, USA

Locations: ASQS GmbH, Vienna, Austria, ASQS Ltd., Bangkok, Thailand

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Cockpit EFB Mounts, EFB Power Supplies.

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • IQSMS (Integrated Quality and Safety Management System) • Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) Service • The IQSMS Suite consists of a total of 10 modules, varying according to the operator. (Airlines, Business Jets, Helicopter, Airports, MROs...)

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • STC Certification • EFB Mounts • EFB Power Supplies • Avionic Products • Avionics Engineerings Avionics Support Group, Inc. (ASG) is a premier Avionics Systems Integration & FAA-PMA approved Aerospace Manufacturing and Avionics Engineering company. ASG’s competitive advantage can provide your company with a Single Source Solution for avionics engineering, manufacturing, aircraft installation technical support, Supplemental Type Certificate (STC’s), video surveillance, SATCOM, and much more. We lead the aerospace industry with our US patented Constant Friction Mount (cfMount™), EFB Integrated Power Supplies, and EFB Cradles. Contact ASG today to learn how ASG’s Single Source Solution can work for your company!

KEY BUSINESS SOFTWARE AREAS • Quality Management Module • Reporting Module • Risk Management Module • Document Distribution Module • Emergency Response Planning Module ASQS (Advanced Safety and Quality Solutions) is a global supplier of highly innovative QMS and SMS software for the aviation industry, supporting more than 200 large and small operators, including airlines, business jet and helicopter operators, groundhandling agents/FBOs, airports and maintenance organizations, in creating a safe and productive work environment. The company specializes in intuitive, integrated, web-based solutions with exceptional customer support. ASQS’s core product IQSMS allows clients to manage operational data 24/7 online and offline with a single integrated tool which significantly simplifies daily tasks. The easy handling of the software creates a positive reporting culture, enables comprehensive quality management and proactive risk management to maximize productivity, reduce operating costs, and optimize internal and external working procedures. IQSMS automates laborious processes like the submission of ECCAIRS or IDX compliant incident reports which, combined with a consolidated, up-to-date regulations database, ensures legal compliance with national and international requirements and standards.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

AVIOBOOK

AVTECH Sweden

W: www.aviobook.aero T: +32 11 72 10 30 E: info@avio.com

W: www.avtech.aero T: +46 8 544 104 80 E: sales@avtech.aero

Location: Belgium (Hasselt), France (Toulouse), Singapore & Piscattaway

Location: Sweden

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • AvioBook, AvioBook Connect, AvioBook Cabin, AvioBook Tech, AvioBook Base, AvioBook Systems, AvioBook Data, AvioBook Integrations, AvioBook SaaS

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Aventus NowCastTM - The FMS Optimization • Aventus SIGMA - Severe Weather service • Aventus AIR — Weather Uplink • Consulting Service — ACARS and connection

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • EFB software solutions • EFB hardware solutions • Suite of ground & flight application • Navigation DataBase, weather data, ADS-B AvioBook, a Thales Group company, supports airlines as a partner in their digital strategy. AvioBook offers a comprehensive and highly integrated suite of ground and flight applications, systems and solutions that connect all stakeholders and key assets in a safe and secure manner. This, combined with expertise in data and cyber security, gives airlines an edge through greater efficiency and ultimately sustainable, profitable growth. Proven solutions from AvioBook make communication between the cockpit, cabin and back office faster and more efficient than even before. With the integrated and secure AvioBook application suite, pilots, cabin crew, dispatchers and ground staff can be securely connected to each other, making communication more efficient and driving value throughout the operation.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 65

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Wind Uplink FMS Optimization • Reduce Fuel burn and CO2 footprint • Severe Weather application AVTECH, specializing in tailored information to the cockpit, offers easy, automated and inexpensive improvements in FMS optimization. The Aventus NowCast™ weather service give pilots access to weather data of the highest available quality, and when the data is fed into the aircraft Flight Management Computer, the actual aircraft trajectory can be optimized, reduce the fuel burn and CO2 footprint. Working directly with Met Office (UK), the Aventus SIGMA service supply the cockpit crew with severe weather information, based on Actual route and time in the FMS. The service brings adequate, timely and correct information on turbulence, icing and other weather phenomena that affect safety and comfort. The SIGMA service sets a new standard on how, when and where your crew gets their information.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo


DIRECTORY

The Boeing Company

Bytron Aviation Systems

Comply365

Conduce

W: www.boeing.com/supportandservices T: +1 206-655-2121 E: BoeingSupportandServices@Boeing.com

W: www.bytron.aero T: 01652 688 626 E: info@bytron.aero

W: www.conduce.net T: 0044 333 888 4044 E: info@conduce.net

Location: 65 Offices Worldwide

Location: Kirmington, United Kingdom

W: www.comply365.com T: +1 (877) 366 2365 E: info@comply365.com

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Business Consulting • EFB Document Browser • Electronic Flight Folder • Fuel Dashboard • Onboard Performance Tool KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • EFB applications • Fuel Efficiency Solutions • Consulting Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. Boeing Support and Services combines airplane design and manufacturing expertise with unique access to fleet-wide operational data to offer optimization solutions. With these offerings, Boeing addresses the evolving need for integration and optimization of data and information across the aviation ecosystem to empower smart decision-making. The portfolio includes services and solutions for flight operations, maintenance & engineering and procurement organizations to optimize the operational efficiency of airplanes and operations. Boeing has more than 250 customers for its optimization solutions. The portfolio draws on solutions from a family of Boeing companies: AerData, Inventory Locator Services and Jeppesen, serving operators of Boeing and non-Boeing airplanes.

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • skybook aviation cloud KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Dispatch Portal • EFB Application • Airfield Watch • Flight Following • Crew Briefing Bytron Aviation Systems has over 35 years of industry experience and understanding driving the development of solutions engineered to make a big impact in the aviation industry. The business specializes in the design and building of fully fledged, reliable, integrated systems that ensure critical data is consistently distributed to the right place, at the right time on the right device, increasing awareness and accountability, improving information capture, reducing costs and streamlining workflows. Above all, improving communication between flight ops and flight deck. skybook is Bytron’s core aviation solution that offers unrivalled flexibility, automation and integration, using the best and most reliable data sources to deliver all vital information across flight ops and dispatch and the flight deck. skybook enables operators and aircrews to work smarter, not harder and the firm’s proven award-winning solutions cover Flight Dispatch, Crew Briefing, Airfield Watch, Flight Tracking plus there is a class leading Electronic Flight Bag application. Contact Bytron today to arrange your introduction and trial.

Location: USA

Location: Nuneaton, UK

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • ProAuthor (XML-Based Authoring Solution) • Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) • Digital Briefing • Document & Communication Manager • Training Solution (LMS Learning Manager)

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • eTechLog8 • eCabinLog8 • eCentral8 • eTraining8 • eForm8 • eDoc8

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • XML-Based Authoring Solution (ProAuthor) • Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) • Digital Briefing Flight Release • Document Mgmt. and Distribution Platform • Targeted Distribution w/ Compliance Tracking

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Electronic Logbook (ELB) • Cabin Log • Electronic Forms Designer • Document Viewer

Comply365 delivers secure, cloud-based solutions, focusing on Authoring, EFB and Digital Briefing Solutions, as well as Targeted Distribution of Mobile Manuals. The Authoring Solution, features ProAuthor: the aviation industry’s first and only XML-based solution for authoring, revising and distributing publications. Comply365’s proven Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) solution lets crews access mission-critical information throughout each phase of flight. Digital Briefing helps turn planes faster for more on-time departures with instant feedback to dispatchers when the flight crew accepts a release and signs Fit for Duty. Comply365’s full-featured Document Management and Targeted Distribution Platform boosts productivity by delivering any type of manual or document directly to any mobile device or stationary workstation.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 66

Conduce pioneer mobile aviation solutions. eTechLog8 is our world leading Electronic Log Book (ELB), fully approved by multiple Airworthiness Authorities and trusted by customers worldwide. eTechLog8 eliminates the paper technical, cabin, and deferred defect logbooks, and replaces these with an easy to use, workflow controlled mobile solution. Available on both Windows and iOS, eTechLog8 is fully integrated with all the leading MRO and M&E systems. All eTechLog8 customers report significant benefits, ranging from improved efficiency, data accuracy and consistency to faster turnarounds, all contributing to reduced costs. Conduce also offers a fully integrated suite of companion applications, which provide mobile paperless solutions for the cabin log, CBT training, custom forms, and ensuring key documents are at your fingertips. Conduce has a sliding pricing scale, depending on fleet size and operates as a subscription model, with one flat fee, per tail, per month covering everything: hardware, software, 24/7/365 support, mobile data, future proofed upgrades and more. There are no hidden costs. Ask us today for a tailored proposal.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo


DIRECTORY

CrossConsense

.

eTT Aviation

Evionica

Evoke Systems

W: www.crossconsense.com T: +49 69 4035 7600 E: contact@crossconsense.de

W: www.ettaviation.com T: +1 208-424-9424 E: info@ettaviation.com

W: www.evionica.com T: +48 507 787 737 E: office@evionica.com

W: www.evoke-systems.aero T: +44 (0)3456 521 240 E: info@evoke-systems.aero

Locations: Boise, ID, USA

Locations: Poland (Warsaw), Austria (Vienna)

Locations: UK

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • SkedFlex

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Evionica WB • Evionca FTS

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • EFOS Training Management Suite • EFOS Leave Management Suite • EFOS Flight Management Suite

Location: Frankfurt Germany

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Aircraft Fleet View • ACSIS • AviationDW KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Support and Hosting • Consulting and Data Migration • Business Intelligence solutions • App and dashboard development CrossConsense’s portfolio runs from AMOS Support, BI-Management, Data Migration and Hosting to the products Aircraft Fleet View, ACSIS and AviationDW. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian’s FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd., CrossConsense also offers solutions for Fuel Management, Turn Process Management and other software applications as well as AFIRS hardware that collects data during flight. AMOS Support: CrossConsense has a long tradition in providing support for AMOS with one single point of contact for 1st and 2nd level; also realizing well-planned and organized data migration projects for airline customers and Reporting and Business Intelligence Analytics. Aircraft Fleet View is a user-friendly App that gives an always up-to-date view on an airline’s fleet status. It indicates AOGs, delays and other important information with the right level of detail to be useful but not crowded with information. ACSIS is a powerful predictive maintenance software tool developed to assist any airline, operator, MRO facility and OEM to avoid AOGs, delays and turnbacks, improve aircraft utilization, and enhance safety. AviationDW is a managed data warehouse, tailor-made for use with your backend system, e.g. AMOS. AviationDW simplifies KPI creation based on MRO System data.

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KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Flight & Crew Management • Fleet (Movement) Management • Qualification & Training Management • Crew Pay • Line & Preferntial Bidding SkedFlex is a full-featured, affordable, innovative and expertly supported flight and crew management solution designed to meet your needs and exceed your expectations. With its scalable platform and optional modules, SkedFlex provides air operators the ability to successfully schedule and manage crewmembers, flights, and aircraft in a flexible, efficient, and visual manner. Coupled with its proprietary rules engines, SkedFlex helps ensure regularity compliance under the Code of Federal Regulation parts 117, 121, 125, and 135, for flight, duty, and rest limitations and additional company requirements and rule sets from regularity authorities can be incorporated. Crew and Flight Scheduling are the core components for the visual mastery of complex operations. Crew Pay ensures pay accuracy and accountability, freeing employees and administrators to focus on productivity, not paperwork. Qualification and Training Management automates simulator and classroom scheduling, crewmember training delivery, currency, and qualification tracking. Line and Preferential Bidding provides an airline the option to build lines or trips for crewmember bidding, and allows crewmembers to establish standing bid criteria and further modify their bids as they desire. Entire fleets of aircraft can be scheduled in minutes with Fleet Management while scheduled inspections are displayed visually to optimize aircraft utilization around required inspections.

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KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Weight & Balance Software • Flight Training Software • Computer Based Training Evionica delivers smart software for Weight & Balance, Flight Training and Computer Based Training to Airlines, Airports and Training Organizations. With over 100 clients the business is cooperating with recognized partners like Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa Aviation Training, Abu Dhabi Aviation Training Center and many more. Evionica Weight & Balance Software: The solution allows users to reduce costs and has a very intuitive interface where training requires only 1 hour. Within 60 seconds you are able to produce a load sheet. Flight Training Software: Streamline administrative processes for training. Automate operations and save time with cloudbased software, plus go paperless. Computer Based Training: Pilot Training CBT with content explained in a straightforward way, having a natural lector voice, superior graphics and animation. A dark theme prevents users’ eyes from tiring. Small portions of information make it easier to remember content.

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 67

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Aviation software solutions • Aviation leave (vacation) management • Aviation Training Management System (TMS) • Flight Management EFOS Training Management Suite: An established and complete Training Management solution available exclusively for the aviation industry, EFOS TMS provides intelligent forms and records, course management and candidate progress tracking along with qualification and role profile monitoring, and supports AQP, ATQP and EBT programmes. Supported by a dedicated iPad application, EFOS TMS is available on web and for mobile and offline use. EFOS Leave Management Suite: A sophisticated leave (vacation) management system, designed specifically for airlines. With highly customisable rules, the EFOS Leave Management Suite suits individual airline requirements and offers a fair, deterministic and transparent way to allocate leave. EFOS LMS can be integrated with airline rostering systems to provide a holistic view of staff availability. EFOS Flight Management Suite: An iPad application for flight journey log information, flight folders, alert event and safety reporting which enables commercial analysis of the associated data to deliver lean airline operating environment. Integrations with other operating systems maximise data efficiency.

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DIRECTORY

Flatirons

Flightkeys

Flightman

Flygprestanda AB

W: www.flatironssolutions.com T: +1.303.627.6535 E: info@flatironssolutions.com

W: www.flightkeys.com T: +43 6991 777 6959 E: christoph@flightkeys.com

W: www.flightman.com T: +353 1 5547203 E: info@flightman.com

W: www.flygp.se T: +46 40 642 00 10 E: sales@flygp.se

Locations: Europe, Asia, USA, Middle East

Location: Austria, Vienna

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Location: Malmö/Sweden, New Milford, CT/USA

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • CORENA Suite

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • FLIGHTKEYS 5D • SPACEKEYS - RAIM PRO

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • eJourneyLog • Electronic Flight Folder • Cabin Manager • eTechLog • Cabin Defect Log

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Guru2 w &w/o Mass & Balance, • Airport Analysis, Drift Down, • Load & Trim, AHM560

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Content Management System (CMS) • Interactive Electronic Technical Publisher (IETP) • Maintenance & Engineering • Flight Operations • Tablet Solutions & Mobility Flatirons provides consulting, technology, and outsourcing for content lifecycle management (CLM). For more than 20 years, we have served global Fortune 1000 customers in aerospace, automotive, electronics, financial services, government, healthcare, and publishing. Our customer engagements help organizations efficiently deliver the right information, at the right time, to the right people by leveraging structured content and digital media — Turning Content into Knowledge®. The CORENA Suite by Flatirons is the leading content lifecycle management (CLM) solution developed specifically for organizations that rely on mission-critical data to design, manufacture, operate, or maintain complex assets over their product and service lifecycles as well as across multi-echelon business networks. For more than 25 years, the world’s leading airlines, aerospace manufacturers, OEMs, and defense organizations have relied on the CORENA product suite to create, manage, and deliver large volumes of technical information throughout its lifecycle. Today, CORENA customers rely on the CORENA suite to modernize their IT infrastructures, improve customer satisfaction, and maintain their competitive advantage.

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KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Flight Planning • 5D Cost Optimization • Data Services (Nav, Weather) • Smart NOTAM Services • Delivery, Integration, 24/7 Support This Vienna service company was founded in April 2015 by a team of high profile aviation experts with very specific knowledge and long-term experience in the field of flight planning and optimization: Their mission is to completely re-write the science of flight management for the 21st century by precisely meeting the emerging requirements of cost-optimized airline operations, trajectory-based operations and the reduction of emissions. Flightkeys’ research takes place in a corporate climate that promotes innovation and a continuous search for excellence. The focus is on user-friendly systems that provide the ultimate level of cost optimization and integrate seamlessly into future airline operations and ATM systems. FLIGHTKEYS 5D - as the only 21st century flight management system - will balance airline network throughput, greenhouse gas emissions and safety in the most cost-efficient way and covers a scope far beyond any solution currently available on the market. By improving communication and collaboration amongst stakeholders in the aviation industry it will lead to a smarter and more productive use of aircraft and airspace. So watch Flightkeys closely, or feel free to invite them to present their new 5D solution.”

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KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Connected EFB Applications • Streamlining Flight Ops processes • Full Electronic Techlog • Cabin Defect Management • Enhanced Passenger Experience The Flightman solution suite enables airlines to streamline their operational processes across Flight Operations, Maintenance and Inflight Services. Transforming data into meaningful insights.

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 68

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Aircraft Performance Services • Performance Engineering • Special Performance Calculations • Engine Failure Procedures Flygprestanda AB, a pioneer in aircraft performance calculations, was founded 1969. For nearly 50 years Flygprestanda has been in the forefront of providing aircraft operators of all kinds with high quality services. Today Flygprestanda is serving around 200 customers worldwide from the head office in Malmö, Sweden and continues to lead innovation in this part of the aviation industry with its well known Airport Analyses and Guru2 application.

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DIRECTORY

AIRCRAFT IT Gigsky

International Flight Support

Leon Software

W: www.gigsky.com T: +45 39158025, E: vchand@gigsky.com

W: www.ifs.aero T: +45 33464600 E: sales@ifs.aero

W: www.leonsoftware.com T: 00 48 22 307 07 22 E: sales@leonsoftware.com

Location: United States of America, Denmark, Canada & India. Danish Office For EFB, Aircraft Sales

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Location: Warsaw, Poland

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • GSM Roaming Data

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Leon

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Consumer Data Roaming Solutions • Enterprise Data Roaming Solutions • OEM Data Roaming Solutions GigSky for Enterprise offers end-to-end mobility services to meet your airline connectivity needs. With global coverage across 190+ countries, GigSky provides superior international network coverage through Tier 1 operators at competitive roaming rates. The GigSky Enterprise Portal provides reports and analysis that help intelligently track mobile data across your organization. GigSky Enterprise Portal Admin Users can create custom notifications, manage data policies, and see usage in real-time.

PFB Paperless Flight Bag solution, PFB Back-Office Platform, PFB Document Management & Library Module, PFB Web Crew Portal & Notification Module, PFB Electronic Flight Planning Module, PFB Voyage/Journey Log Reporting Module (Pre+Post flight), PFB W & B/eLoadsheet Module w/ electronic sign-off, PFB Take-Off Performance ON-line, PFB Take-Off Performance OFF-line, PFB Landing Performance OFF-line, PFB eTechlog Module w/MEL data import/export, PFB eReporting Module, PFB Duty Time Registration Module

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • EModular PFB Platform Architecture • Modular PFB GUI Architecture • Seamless integrations with multiple back-end systems • Fully customized set-ups without expensive R & D costs • Designed for simplicity, userfriendliness and effectiveness IFS — International Flight Support is an innovative and experienced supplier of iPad OS and Windows XP/7/8 based EFB Platform solutions aimed exclusively at the aviation industry. The company was founded in 2001 and has a full decade of operational experience providing in-cockpit calculation solutions to airlines, business aircraft operators and military users. The PFB™ Paperless Flight Bag software solution defines a new standard for high quality modular EFB architecture. It was built to achieve complete data integration to any back-end software systems used by the operator while offering a unique degree of customization options that reflects each operator’s preferences.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

KEY BUSINESS / SOFTWARE AREAS • Scheduled Operators • Business Operators • Cargo Operators • Trip Support • Charter Brokers Leon Software excels in delivering an advanced cloud-based solution for the aviation business, including scheduled and cargo operators, business aviation, trip support companies and brokers. From flight OPS and crew management to charter sales, Leon provides a versatile platform design in a digital ecosystem of an aviation organization. With years of continuous development, customization and workflow automation are an essential part of Leon Software’s philosophy. Established in 2007 in Warsaw, Poland, Leon Software is currently the leader in its area of expertise in Europe, with over 300 companies consistently capitalizing on the platform’s functionality in their day-to-day operations.

Operations

Webinars eJournals Software Conferences News Advisory Unit Want to be involved? Simply email scott.leslie@aircraftIT.com for more information

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 69

www.aircraftIT.com


DIRECTORY

Logipad DextraData

W: www.logipad.aero T: +49 201 95975 0 E: info@logipad.aero

Lufthansa Industry Solutions

W: www.lufthansa-industry-solutions.com T: +49 40 5070 30000 E: marketing.sales@lhind.dlh.de

Location: Essen, Germany

Location: Germany, Switzerland, USA

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Logipad

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • DocManage Product Suite, • DocSurf Mobile, EFFOM, DocCreate

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • eBriefing / EFF • iPad und Windows EFB Management • Class-I EFB and Class-II EFB • Logipad for Pilots, Cabin and Maintenance Since 2002, Modern.Work has been providing airlines with Logipad, an inhouse-developed Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) solution. Logipad makes flight management simple, fast and smart for pilots, crew and ground members. Due to a Single Sync transaction process and modules like Document Management, eForms and eBriefing / EFF, Logipad reduces paperwork. In 2017, Modern.Work GmbH merged with DextraData GmbH, an IT consulting company and independent software vendor. Together the companies not only offer comprehensive expertise in IT services and EFB, but also implement and develop IT solutions such as Logipad according to customer needs. Furthermore, clients can profit from the companies’ cooperation with important IT and aviation manufacturers (e.g. Microsoft Corporation, Jeppesen Sanderson Inc. and Avialytics GmbH). DextraData’s portfolio includes: Business Consulting, Cloud & Managed Services, IT Service & Enterprise Management, Next Generation Infrastructure, Modern Work / Software Infrastructure and Program & Project Management. The company is located in Gemany.

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KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • IT Solutions and Process • Consulting for MRO • Electronic Flight Operation Manuals • Airline Job Card Content Management • Predictive Analytics and Maintenance • RFID Lufthansa Industry Solutions is an IT service company for process consulting and system integration. This wholly-owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Group supports its customers with the digital transformation of their company. Its customer base includes both companies within Lufthansa Group as well as more than 150 companies in various other industries. The products EFOM and DocSurf Mobile were developed together with Lufthansa Airlines based on 15 years of common experience and excellence in electronic flight operations manuals and processes to fulfill both current and future requirements. • EFOM — A manufacturer independent Content Management System. Functionally mature and based on 17 years of experience, EFOM makes it possible to fulfill FlightOps requirements, e.g. expandable for new publishing backends; flexible to integrate new documents; open for customized enhancements or to integrate business processes such as Compliance Management. • DocSurf Mobile — A Library Viewer for MRO and FlightsOps documents is available as a native iOS app or Windows application. The revision service allows change lists to be checked and content to be compared with a previous version. Navigation is intuitive and includes a fast and easy search. A user independent management of favorites and notes is provided, keeping this information revision safe and available.

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Lufthansa Systems

NAVBLUE

W: www.LHsystems.com T: +49 69696 90000 E: marketing@lhsystems.com

W: www.navblue.aero T: +33 5 82 84 06 18 E: communications@navblue.aero

an Airbus Company

Location: Germany and in 16 other countries.

Location: Toulouse, France; Waterloo, Canada; and Hersham, UK

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • IT Solutions

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Electronic Flight Bag applications • Fuel applications • Dispatch & Crew Planning • Airspace & Airport Consulting

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Operations and Commercial Solutions • Flight Deck Solutions • Finance Solutions • In-Flight Entertainment and Mobile Solutions • Professional Services and Consulting The company offers its more than 350 airline customers an extensive range of successful and in many cases marketleading products for the aviation industry. The innovative IT products and services in this portfolio offer customers a wide range of economic benefits while also contributing to improving efficiency and competitiveness. In addition, Lufthansa Systems also supports its customers both within and outside the Lufthansa Group with consulting services and the experience it has gained in projects for airlines of every size and business model.

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Electronic Flight Bag & Documentations • Fuel Solutions • Ops Control Center Solutions • Consulting • Flight Data Analysis NAVBLUE is an aviation services company, dedicated to Flight Operations & Air Traffic Management Solutions, wholly owned by Airbus. Through digital & collaborative innovation, our passionate and customer-focused team develops solutions to enhance the safety and efficiency of air transport. NAVBLUE provides solutions and services for mixed fleets and supports both civil and military environments, on the ground or on board any aircraft. NAVBLUE offers the highest level of expertise in digital cockpit operations, Operations Control Centre (OCC) systems, Flight Ops Engineering, Performance Based Navigation (PBN) and Air Traffic Management (ATM).

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 70

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DIRECTORY

NVable

OpenAirlines

PACE — a TXT company

Pivot

W: www.nvable.com T: +44 141 280 0050 E: contact@nvable.com

W: www.openairlines.com T: +33 (0)5 31 61 52 18 E: stephane.nitenberg@openairlines.com

W: www.pivotcase.com T: +1 281-895-0128 E: mike@flyboys.com

Location: UK

Location: France, Asia, USA

W: www.pace.de T: +4930293620 E: paceinfo@txtgroup.com

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • ConNVerge for Aviation

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • SkyBreathe Fuel Efficiency • Crew Intelligence • OptiFleet • CrewPad

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Electronic Techlog • Electronic Forms (Assessments) • Document Management • Operational Analysis • Station Operational Compliance The concept behind our CoNVerge platform is simple. We believe that businesses should have the flexibility to easily innovate and add new applications to their toolbox, without being stifled by legacy technology or a single technology brand. CoNVerge is all about minimising risk, fuss and capital costs and maximising efficiency. Provided as a service, it combines a hosted environment and web portal with mobile applications and data interfaces to virtually any system. The platform is easily integrated into your existing business systems and brings together the best tools to handle data acquisition and data analysis — all on scalable infrastructure. Best of all, we even take the day-to-day management off your hands. Our CoNVerge platform is blazing a trail in the aviation sector. In a hi-tech industry, where the stakes are even higher, long-standing clients such as British Airways Cityflyer know they can rely on NVable and our custom-designed software to make things simple, safer, more secure and streamlined. We provide airlines with technology solutions that reduce effort, improve processes and produce useful information, with one simple goal — to change things for the better. Bring everything together and do IT better when you bring onboard CoNVerge and NVable.

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KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Fuel Efficiency • Crew Efficiency • Fleet Efficiency • EU-ETS Management • Cabin Crew CRM Based in Toulouse, the cradle of aeronautics and space, OpenAirlines was created in 2006 to help airlines optimize their operations. Thanks to a highly qualified and committed team of Fuel Experts, Data Scientists, and IT Specialists, OpenAirlines is today a world leader in the market for flight operations optimization software with a range of complete solutions answering all the key requirements of aviation professionals.

Location: Germany, France, USA

Location: Houston, Texas

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Pacelab Flight Profile Optimizer • Pacelab CI OPS

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • PIVOT mounting solutions

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Flight Profile Optimization • Cost Index Operations • Fuel Efficiency • Operational Efficiency • EFB Library Viewer Working with many of the leading OEMs, engine manufacturers and airlines for more than two decades has enabled us to develop a range of innovative products that directly respond to the challenges of the international aviation community. We closely collaborate with performance and cabin engineers, senior training captains, fuel conservation and operational efficiency managers, EFB teams and consultants to deliver hands-on support for strategic and operational tasks.

Drawing on 8 years of R&D, OpenAirlines has developed SkyBreathe®, an innovative eco-flying solution based on Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, and Big Data to save fuel and reduce airlines’ carbon footprint by up to 5%.

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Mounts for EFB • Mounting plate • LTRM - Long Term Removable Mounts PIVOT is a worldwide provider of EFB-related products, which are anchored by the patented and iconic universal PIVOT mounting plate. EFB devices housed in protective PIVOT cases connect directly to the PIVOT mounts. Featuring unequaled pilot EFB functionality while also retaining full corporate IT flexibility, PIVOT is deployed to over 100 airlines including Delta, United, Southwest, Cathay Pacific, Singapore and ANA. PIVOT revolutionized the process of EFB deployments and effectively removed the need for cradles driven by changing form factors, saving customers millions in equipment, labor, and deployment time. PIVOT mounting solutions include a unique, new class of mounts referred to as LTRM’s or Long Term Removable Mounts. LTRM solutions provide the integrated style, security and function of an installed mount at a fraction of the cost with virtually instantaneous deployment.

Rewarded by many innovation awards and leader in the low-cost market, the software is now used by a very active community of 30+ airlines around the world including Malaysia Airlines, Norwegian, Cebu Pacific, flydubai and Atlas Air… Now composed of 40 fuel experts with offices in Miami and Hong Kong, OpenAirlines continues its growth and begins in 2018 the development of a new module, called SkyBreathe® OnBoard, designed to be embedded in the cockpit to give recommendations to pilots in real time.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 71

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DIRECTORY

The SA Group

Safety Line

SITA FOR AIRCRAFT

W: www.scanav.com T: +45 7950 8000 E: sa@scanav.com

W: www.safety-line.fr T: +33 (0)1.55.43.75.71 E: contact@safety-line.fr

W: www.sita.aero/aircraft E: media.relations_aircraft@sita.aero

Locations: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Czech Republic, Greece, Bahrain, CIS, India and Malaysia

Location: Paris, France

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Scandinavian Avionics’ Tablet Based EFB Solution

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • SafetyCube, OptiClimb, • FlightScanner, AirsideWatch

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Electronic Flight Bag Solutions • Avionics Certification • Avionics Installation • Avionics Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul • Avionics Training

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Safety Management System (SMS) • Fuel Efficiency • Fuel Management Systems • Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) • Ground Operations

Scandinavian Avionics offers a state-of-the-art, future-proof, tablet based Class 2 EFB solution, which provides the functionality to meet today’s operational requirements of airlines and aircraft operators and in addition is simple to upgrade in the future to meet coming requirements.

Safety Line is an innovative digital technology company, specialized in data management software solutions for aviation. With a team of highly experienced Aviation Industry and Safety experts (including former BEA investigators), Data Scientists and IT specialist, Safety Line is in a position to propose an extensive range of products able to match the world’s issues challenges in air transport.

The concept consists of two ruggedized 10.1” Panasonic tablets installed in the cockpit combined with a data integration center and a communication unit installed in the avionics compartment. The data integration center is used for power, aircraft interface and server capability and the communication unit enables and controls the data communication between the EFB system and the airline’s ground infrastructure. The SA Group provides complete turn-key avionics solutions for civil and military aircraft.

OptiClimb is based on Machine Learning combined with Optimization and aims at reducing the fuel consumption through the use of flight data. After 2 years of R&D, it was applied to a fleet of Boeing 737 at Transavia France and demonstrated that 10% of the fuel used during climb ended up in $40 savings per flight. Yearly, it means that for one aircraft the savings can reach $80’000. With 25 aircraft in its fleet, Transavia can save $ 2 M per year. It is a very promising offer for any airline. SafetyCube is an integrated risk and compliance management software that provides airlines with a ready-to-use solution for new IR-OPS requirements. FlightScanner allows you to automatically identify the factors which explain hazardous situations based on all flights data. AirsideWatch determines the runway condition without interfering with operations at a time when airport safety and capacity issues have become increasingly complex to manage.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

Location: Switzerland. Regional Offices in: USA, UAE, UK, Canada, France, Brazil and Singapore.

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • AIRCOM applications and services, Datalink, EFB solutions, CrewTab • eWAS Pilot • OptiClimb • OptiDirect • Opti Level • OptiSpeed • Mission Control KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • AIRCOM applications: FlightTracker, FlightMessenger • Cockpit Applications and Services • AIRCOM ACARS Services • AIRCOM Datalink Applications • AIRCOM Information Services SITA For Aircraft represents the aircraft arm of SITA. SITA is the IT provider for the air transport industry, delivering solutions for airlines, airports, aircraft and governments. Today, SITA drives operational efficiencies at more than 1,000 airports. SITA’s technology provides solutions that help more than 40 governments strike the balance of secure borders and seamless travel, while delivering the promise of the connected aircraft to more than 400 airlines on 17,000 aircraft globally. SITA is powering a digital shift to make air travel more connected, seamless, efficient, safe and sustainable. Its communications network connects every corner of the globe and handles vast volumes of data every second. SITA is 100% owned by the air transport industry, with a presence in 200 countries and territories and a customer service team of more than 2,000 people around the world.

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 72

Simpfly W: www.simpfly.aero T: +1 303 800 6506 E: hello@simpfly.aero Location: Fully remote, global operation

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • EFB Omni™ Solution KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • EFB setup and management • Flight Ops Engineering support • Aircraft Performance studies • Escape Routes design • Airport Briefs Simpfly was born from the eagerness to help startup airlines and small operators to implement and manage EFB in a simple and cost-efficient way. The EFB Omni™ is the all-in-one solution designed with that in mind: Simpfly streamlines Flight Operations processes by implementing EFBs in the client’s fleet and managing them on the client’s behalf thereupon, including all IT and Flight Operations Engineering related activities: Aircraft Performance, Weight & Balance, Flight Operations documentation and other EFB-related tasks. An airline’s daily operations become EFB-driven with confidence as the Simpfly team of engineers takes care of all back-office tasks needed to assure that the airline’s pilots have access to up-to-date data for a safe and compliant operation. All that backed by a strong know-how of the aviation industry for a total hassle free setup and, the best of all, without hurting your pocket. Simpfly says: You fly. We take care of the rest. Ready to get on-board or need more info? Contact Simpfly for a dedicated webinar. Also check also their website for other specialized services such as Escape Routes and Airport Briefs.

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DIRECTORY

AIRCRAFT IT SkyPath

Smart4Aviation

StorkJet

W: skypath.io T: +972-3-9003510 E: Contact@skypath.io

W: www.smart4aviation.aero T: +31 20 654 1824 E: info@smart4aviation.aero

W: www.storkjet.com T: +48 600 800 528 E: info@storkjet.com

Location: Netherlands, Poland, Canada, USA

Location: Poland

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Smart LOAD, Smart COMM, Smart BRIEF • Smart VIEW+, Smart OPERATIONS MANAGER

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • fuelPro • advancedAPM

Location: Tel-Aviv, Israel; USA

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • SkyPath™ Turbulence • SkyPath™ PIREPS • SkyPath™ data services KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • EFB iOS App • Dispatch flight planning WEB module • Management Analytics and Bi • Incidents and playback Debrief • EFB and WEB integration SDK & APIs Skypath is world’s leading turbulence and auto-PIREPs data service provider whose alert system improves cabin safety and cuts airline operating costs. Established in 2015, It is a one-of-a-kind software-only solution which provides unique turbulence data based on a smart patented algorithm. SkyPath already has more than 30K subscribers, including major US airlines. Airlines using SkyPath join a larger crowdsourcing network, and gain access to turbulence mapping generated using SkyPath’s patented AI technology and real time airborne data collection. SkyPath provide service to thousands of users a day and is becoming the industry gold standard

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Weight and Balance • Communication and Alerting • Pilot and Cabin Crew Briefing • Flight Planning and Tracking • Fleet Management Smart4Aviation is one of the fastest growing companies in aviation operations, founded to provide web and mobile based products and services designed to optimize, simplify and improve airline operations. Our company is committed to delivery of the highest quality, most innovative and costeffective, state-of-the-art solutions to support all of your current and future operational business needs. Our products effectively manage all operational business units, such as Operations Control Management, Load Planning and Weight & Balance, Communications (all Operational and Corporate branches), Flight Planning, NOTAM Management, Flight Dispatch, Flight and Cabin Crew Briefing, Weather, Flight Tracking and Aircraft Performance.

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Fuel efficiency • Aircraft performance monitoring • Diagnosis of performance problems • Aircraft/engine benchmarking Aircraft Performance & Fuel Efficiency — Our Passion, Your Savings: We analyze airlines’ flight data to provide the most precise aircraft performance and optimize fuel consumption. fuelPro is a fuel efficiency platform powered by AI to help airlines optimize flight operations and build up a positive fuel efficiency ecosystem. Airlines we work with save on 44 fuel initiatives and engage pilots to be more eco-friendly by sharing feedback and best practices with them. advancedAPM provides tail-specific performance factors for accurate fuel planning. The process is fully automatic and works for all aircraft types.

Simply email info@aircraftIT.com for more information

Smart4Aviation’s web and mobile-based solutions have been acknowledged as the “Smart Choice” within the industry by a number of international and domestic air carriers.

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Webinars eJournals Software Conferences News Advisory Unit Want to be involved?

Our web based and mobile solutions with an exceptional support are recognized within the industry as being some of the most dependable and innovative in the market. All of our current customers such as among others Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, Qantas, Emirates, Air France, easyJet, Alaska Airlines, Iberia and Cebu Pacific have all benefitted from implementing Smart4Aviation solutions.

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Operations

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AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 73

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DIRECTORY

Tomorrow.io

TrustFlight

Ultramain

Viasat

W: www.tomorrow.io E: sales@tomorrow.io

W: www.trustflight.io T: 44 (0) 330 229 0219 E: info@trustflight.io

W: www.ultramain.com T: +1.505.828.9000 E: sales@ultramain.com

W: www.viasat.com/airlines T: +353 1611 4625 E: hello.ireland@viasat.com

Location: Leamington Spa, UK; Edinburgh, UK; Luton, UK; St Helier, Jersey

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Location: Ireland, USA, India, Australia, Switzerland, UK, China

KEY BUSINESS / SOFTWARE AREAS • Weather Insights • Hyperlocal Weather • Airline Collaborative Decision Making Platform • Lightning Detection and Alerting

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Tech Log, Task Cards • Digital Logbook • CAMO (service) • Aircraft Registry (service)

Tomorrow.io is the world’s leading Weather Intelligence Platform™, helping countries, businesses and individuals manage their climate security challenges. Fully customizable to any industry impacted by the weather, customers around the world including Uber, Delta, Ford, National Grid and more use Tomorrow.io to dramatically improve operational efficiency. Tomorrow.io was built from the ground up to help teams predict the business impact of weather, streamline team communication and action plans, improve productivity, and optimize profit margins.

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Aircraft log books • Aircraft maintenance task cards • Digital and paperless working • CAMO support • Aircraft Registry support

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • ULTRAMAIN® v9™ M&E / MRO • ULTRAMAIN Mobile Mechanic™ • ULTRAMAIN Mobile Inventory™ • ULTRAMAIN ELB™ • ULTRAMAIN M&E / MRO: 31 modules including: Configuration Management; Line/Base Mx Planning; Line/ Base Mx Scheduling; GATe; Quality Assurance; Asset Management

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • AeroDocs Airline Document Management System • Viasat Wireless IFE • Viasat In-flight Internet • Viasat EFB • Viasat Connected Aircraft Platform

Locations: Boston, Tel Aviv, Boulder, Singapore

From inception, TrustFlight has been ingrained in the aviation industry. Founded by two commercial pilots with a proven track record at the intersection of technology and business, the business has grown considerably and with stability, having recently celebrated the opening of a fourth office. Throughout, TrustFlight gained an incredible team with backgrounds spanning different areas of aviation and technology, ensuring a solid presence in the industry. Now offering a range of products and services within the sector, TrustFlight helps to remove costly paperwork and associated errors, preserve aircraft value, and increase efficiency and safety in aircraft operations. Five values shape TrustFlight’s culture, guide the business’s work and the way it grows. Integrity Transparent and open: offering trust to partners and assuming it from them. Responsibility Owning the work they do and taking responsibilty for it: striving to make it the best possible. Leadership Leading from within: providing support for the team to do incredible work and drive the industry forwards. Innovation Products are crafted for the future needs of the industry, going beyond what exists in the market. Excellence Every one of TrustFlight’s values contributes towards the excellence in their products.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Maintenance & Engineering • MRO • Military Maintenance • Maintenance Planning & Scheduling • Paperless Customer Care on Mobile Devices • Electronic Technical Logbook Ultramain Systems, Inc. develops M&E / MRO and ELB software for the aviation industry and is the only aviation software provider with customers running full, end-to-end paperless operations from the cockpit to the ground. ULTRAMAIN v9, featuring Mobile Mechanic and Mobile Inventory enables real-time paperless data collection for the full maintenance and inventory process. Combine ULTRAMAIN v9 with ULTRAMAIN ELB, the easy-to-use electronic logbook, and the entire maintenance process becomes paperless. Contact us to learn what you need to equip your organization with customer mobile devices and see why elite aviation customers around the world are choosing ULTRAMAIN to reduce costs and increase aircraft up time.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 74

Multiple modules available, deployed to meet airline’s specific needs.

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Connected Aircraft Platform • AeroDocs Document Management System • Modular EFB • Wireless IFE • In-flight Internet/Connectivity A connected aircraft platform with document control, pilot EFB, wireless IFE, and in-flight internet products and services plus a software platform and mobile apps for aircraft and flight-related data; the right information to pilots, flight ops and passengers. AeroDocs document management is easy-touse in operations of all sizes, globally. It is enterprise-grade, scalable and the only end-to-end system managing the entire document lifecycle while supporting compliance. AeroDocs is modular, with complete control over editing, distribution and viewing of documents on the ground and in the cockpit. Document control for Flight ops and EFB admins. Customised reporting supports safety and compliance managers, while controlling risk. AeroDocs is designed to transform your airline’s approach to document management, and support strategic business goals.

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DIRECTORY

Vistair Systems

Weathernews

Web Manuals International

Yonder

W: www.vistair.com T: 01454 550663 E: info@vistair.com

W: global.weathernews.com T: 00 45 392 78720 E: skysales_eu@wni.com

W: www.webmanuals.aero T: +46 (0)40 694 10 40 E: info@webmanuals.aero

W: www.yonder.info T: +41 43 215 27 94 E: contact@yonder.info

Location: United Kingdom and USA

Location: Tokyo, Oklahoma, Copenhagen, London Moscow, New York, Paris, Athens, Sao Poulo, New Delhi, Kathmandu, Yangon, Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Manila, Taipei, Shanghai, Seoul

Location: Sweden, USA

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • DocuNet • SafetyNet

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Go or No-Go Decision Support • Personal weather briefings • En-Route Weather Forecast • Foster Flight Watch • Foster EFB • Flight Operations Control Support • Airspace Critical Operations Support

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Web Manuals

NAME OF PRODUCT MARKETED • Yonder Mind

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Monitoring • Authoring • Editing • Publishing • Distribution

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Content Management System • Workflow-based Content Distribution • Compliance Tracking • Content-based Learning

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Airlines weather support • Daily weather forecast • Weather IT solutions

Web Manuals International AB has developed knowledgemanagement solutions for the aviation industry since 2008, with the headquarters in Malmö, Sweden and an office in San Diego, California. Web Manuals is a tool for digitizing manuals to simplify authoring and distribution of company manuals for the aviation industry.

KEY BUSINESS/SOFTWARE AREAS • Aviation Document Management (All format types inc. PDF, XML, S1000D, I Spec 2200) • Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) • Document Management and Distribution Platform • Maintenance & Engineering • Flight Operations • Compliance Tracking • Form Creation and Management • Aviation Safety Management Software Vistair provides document, safety, and quality management technology solutions to support the delivery of improved safety, compliance, and operational efficiency that results in significant commercial savings to aviation organizations. Combining technology, development expertise and service delivery, Vistair’s suite of aviation technology solutions provides both commercial airlines, aerospace and defense organizations with an approach that helps demonstrate a clear link between increased reporting and a change in procedures and behaviors, which fundamentally drives a safer organization. Document Management: DocuNet is the aviation industry’s leading end-to end document management solution, providing a coherent, single point of control for editing, publishing, distributing, and viewing all operational documentation. It provides the flexibility to access documents via the web and mobile devices and can also manage documents in all formats.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

Weathernews Inc. is a private weather company operating worldwide within 44 different industries, collecting weather data from various sources as well as using their own proprietary infrastructure. They use their proprietary infrastructure to provide support where there is no or scarce weather information. Weathernews supports flight dispatchers, operations members and pilots with a wide range of services during all phases of the flight, from planning, en-route and landing. The business serves customers in Star Alliance, SkyTeam, oneworld and Value Alliance, with support for more than 350 airports, Weathernews’ risk communicators are available to assist users in any weather-related needs. Weathernews has more than 30 years experience supporting and servicing airlines, and strives to learn each airline’s weather-related needs and challenges to fully support and ensure safety, efficiency and contribute to sustainability. Weathernews’ services are easily accessible through web links, and were developed with the focus of user friendliness and clear user interface.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

Web Manuals is available as a Software-as-a-Service subscription, with minimal training and configuration required to get started. The service includes support, hosting, availability monitoring, maintenance, and at least two system upgrades per year.

Stay in control of your content and bring reliable, rolespecific information to frontline employees — with one fully customizable content management solution. Yonder Mind is an easy-to-use content management solution designed specifically for controlled information like operation manuals, guidelines, rules, or regulations. Our unique approach allows users to work with dynamic content instead of static documents. Dynamic content will display the right information at the right time, depending on the user profile and on the context of use. A powerful search function further improves end-user satisfaction.

In short, our clients save time and money in editing, publishing and distributing their operational manuals while being able to publish new revisions as often as needed and gain a full control of their documentation and communication systems.

Yonder Mind brings operational documentation and manufacturer manuals together in one solution. Pilots work with the easy to use YM Offline App and enjoy role-specific revision updates instead of having to go through hundreds of revised pages. Editors create and enhance content in the YM Editor while revisions become manageable again thanks to the fully integrated YM Workflow. Company guides (e.g. Winter Ops Guide) can be created without having to worry about duplicates anymore since information is only contained once in Yonder Mind. And never miss a change in regulation again thanks to our IQSMS Connector.

The Web Manuals Compliance Libraries enable compliance automation by allowing controlled real-time compliance monitoring of company procedures linked to Implementing Rules and Acceptable Means of Compliance in the EASA and FAA regulations, as well as a number of aviation standards such as IOSA, IS-BAO and ARGUS.

We have over 15 years of experience with electronic documentation in aviation that we can leverage to our customers’ benefit. Our team has a diverse background ranging from a former EFB administrator for a large international airline to a long-haul captain knowing, from his own experience, what crews need.

We set the standard for digitizing manuals for the aviation industry by providing an easy-to-use solution enabling endto-end control, compliance, agility and cost-efficiency.

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo

AIRCRAFT IT Operations • SPRING 2022 • 75

CLICK HERE for Product Details CLICK HERE to Request Private Demo


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