Korean Air has successfully completed the “world’s first” comprehensive urban air mobility (UAM) operations demonstration.
Partnering with Hyundai Motor Company, Korea Telecom (KT), Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), and Hyundai Engineering & Construction, the South Korean flag carrier conducted five week demonstrations at Goheung Aviation Test Center in South Jeolla Province.
The urban air mobility (UAM) system relied on a 5G aviation communication network linking the electric vertical take-off and landing (e-VTOL) aircraft with the UAM operating systems. For the demonstrations, the airline conducted 10 different scenarios ranging from “normal to abnormal” during which they tested the functionality and performance of the operating systems.
Working to ensure safe UAM operations in high-density urban environments, the data collected from these tests will be analysed and the systems enhanced.
“Korean Air will continue to engage in various UAM initiatives, and work to validate and enhance government-established UAM concepts and procedures to develop the UAM ecosystem in Korea.”
This month, British Airways became the first UK airline to roll out two next-generation weather apps offering access to real-time weather data. This change comes as part of the airline’s £7b transformation which is bringing extensive, wide reaching updates to the UK’s flag carrier.
Previously, teams would rely on manually produced weather reports generated earlier in the day. Now, pilots and flight planning teams can access more accurate, real-time data, enabling them to make more operationally efficient decisions.
The update comes with two separate apps. The first, Guidor (provided by SkyConseil) provides pilots with streamlined access to weather data which updated in real-time using onboard Wi-Fi connectivity. The second, Fusion (by The Weather Company) is for the airline’s Integrated Operations Control centre which will eventually work in conjunction with Guidor to share precise information.
René de Groot, Chief Operating Officer at British Airways, explained how the two apps will work together:
“It’s exciting that we’ll be the first UK airline to combine the technology of both apps, which will allow us to make even better operational decisions in the moment using real-time data. These applications represent a step-change in the quality of weather information we receive, and, in the future, will enable pilots to collaborate in real-time during a flight with operational colleagues on the ground, allowing faster decision-making for a variety of issues like diversion planning and recovery.”
Navigating weather effectively can have huge financial repercussions. As previously highlighted by SITA, disruption caused by weather conditions account for 75 per cent of air traffic delays, “costing airlines billions of dollars each year in extra fuel, maintenance, crew, and compensation expenses.” Giving pilots access to accurate, real-time weather data can help to optimise routes and minimise disruption.
In recent years, the threats posed by jamming and spoofing incidents have increased. For an industry which relies so heavily on accurate geolocation services, these constitute a considerable safety risk.
To combat the rising number of incidents, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) towards the end of January, identifying short, medium, and long-term measures to enact.
“We immediately need to ensure that pilots and crews can identify the risks and know how to react and land safely. In the medium term, we will need to adapt the certification requirements of the navigation and landing systems. For the longer term, we need to ensure we are involved in the design of future satellite navigation systems.”
With the increasing number of global attacks, EASA and IATA further identified some key actions to increase the resilience of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services provided by GNSS. These include reporting and sharing of GNSS interference event data both within Europe and on a global scale, revisiting guidance from aircraft manufacturers to ensure operators are prepared should an incident arise, alerts to relevant stakeholders about attacks from EASA, and the maintenance of a Minimum Operational Network (MON) of navigation aids as a backup for GNSS navigation.
Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA highlighted the crucial responsibility airlines have in navigating this rising issue:
“We need coordinated collection and sharing of GNSS safety data; universal procedural GNSS incident guidance from aircraft manufacturers; a commitment from States to retain traditional navigation systems as backup in cases where GNSS are spoofed or jammed. In actioning these items, the support and resources of EASA and other governmental authorities are essential. And airlines will be critical partners. And whatever actions are taken, they must be the focal point of the solution as they are the front line facing the risk.
Willie Walsh will be speaking at Aerospace Tech Review (17-18th April). To hear directly from key industry leaders pioneering innovative solutions and shaping the future of the aerospace, get your ticket now.
The highly anticipated Aerospace Tech Week agenda has finally arrived, promising an in-depth exploration of cutting-edge technology and innovation. With keynote interviews and panels featuring IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, Airbus’ Head of Disruptive R&T, Senior Vice President, Grzegorz Ombach, and many more, this is an opportunity to hear directly from industry leaders and gain insights into the future direction of aerospace technology.
This event spans five key areas: Avionics, Aerospace testing, Connectivity, MRO IT, Flight Ops IT.
AVIONICS
Looking at the advancements and trends in avionics technology, this track discusses updates to mandates and regulatory framework, unpacks the next generation of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), maps the role of AI, and features the development of cutting edge systems. Key speakers include Anna von Groote, Director General, EUROCAE and Ahmad Bakker, Strategy & Innovation Lead, Rotterdam the Hague Airport, Royal Schiphol Group.
AEROSPACE TESTING
Covering advancements in testing technologies, this section looks at digital twinning and virtual testing as well as innovation in the testing environment. It also covers high-level integration and testing, complex and embedded systems. Spanning various testing methodologies this track includes conversations with Adam Harris, Global Chief of Testing Facilities, Rolls Royce and Asteris Apostolidis, Technical Innovation Lead for BlueLabs, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
CONNECTIVITY
Exploring the increasing value of the hyperconnected airspace, this track unpacks aircraft data management and cybersecurity, and data exchange technologies for the connected and integrated ATM. The Connectivity sessions cover the ever evolving cybersecurity threat and how to navigate it, the practical implications of 5G, and the harmonisation of the data communication landscape. Key speakers include Anna Guégan, Senior Technical Programme Manager, EUROCAE, and Bruno Tomas, CTO, Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA).
MRO IT
Focused on the digitalisation and optimisation of maintenance, repair, and overhaul process, this track delves into AI, machine learning, and autonomy in data and analytics as well as innovation and integrating new technologies. Here, conversation spans The Cloud, use of drones in maintenance, predictive analysis, and the transition to paperless. Featured speakers include Marcos Melchiori, Senior, MRO Manager, LATAM sharing the cost and time benefits gained from integrating drones into maintenance.
FLIGHT OPS IT
Addressing the optimisation and efficiency of flight operations through technology, this section looks at sustainable and innovative flight ops, predictive ops and real-time data, as well as the growing role of AI/ML in enhancing efficiency. The sessions also touches on optimisation for sustainability and a range of future developments in flight ops IT. Key speakers include Diederik-Jan Bos, Head of IOCC, SunExpress and Viktorija Diestelkamp, Head of Data and Analytics, British Airways.
Aerospace Tech Week evolved significantly since its Avionics origins in 2001, attracting leading airlines and key ecosystem players. On the 17-18th April, the event is bringing 2,000 airline executives, aircraft makers and their partners together in Munich for two days of networking, conference content, and receptions. View the full agenda here or get your ticket.
Last week, Viasat, Inc. hit a milestone, successfully demonstrating a UK satellite-based augmentation system (UK SBAS). Using ground monitoring data and satellite connectivity, UK SBAS can give positioning within a few centimetres of accuracy enhancing the reliability of onboard instruments for pilots, especially during bad weather.
As a result of Brexit, the UK has limited access to the EU’s European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and this trial showed that the UK-based SBAS delivers more precise and reliable navigation data.
The press release explained that although EGNOS can still be used for non-safety applications in the UK, this trial is a step towards a complementary UK SBAS which can be used for critical safety of life navigation services across air, land, and sea.
According to Viasat’s research, up to 40 per cent of flights cancelled due to weather could have happened if UK SBAS had been available for its fleet. The trial, funded by the Department of Transport, demonstrates how highly accurate GPS data can maximise safety and improve efficiency.
Todd McDonnell, President, International Government, Viasat, said:
“This trial on a sovereign UK SBAS is all about delivering trust. Trust for pilots in their tracking systems so they can stay safe in challenging conditions. Trust for the aviation industry more broadly so it can rely on data to operate more efficiently. And, in the future, trust that we can use highly accurate tracking to develop Britain’s transport system as new technologies come into play. We’re excited to continue the trial and see how far we can take it.”
Now the aviation stage has been completed, the trial will move forward, testing the system for other transport applications including rail, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and autonomous road vehicles.
Lufthansa Technik and Pilatus Aircraft are unveiling their strategic cooperation regarding a cabin management system for the Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet. For this purpose, the Original Equipment & Special Aircraft Services segment of Lufthansa Technik has adapted its renowned »nice« (networked integrated cabin equipment) specifically for the popular jet aircraft type of the venerable Swiss manufacturer.
In the PC-24, the system is called “integrated Cabin Management System 4.0” (iCMS 4.0) and features a 10” touch-screen controller with 3D moving map, USB ports, media storage server and four high fidelity cabin speakers with optional sub-woofer, HDMI input, and mood lighting. In the past, such systems have only been installed in mid-size and large business jets — mainly due to the number of their components, weight, performance, and associated costs. For its new partner Pilatus, Lufthansa Technik is therefore introducing an Ethernet-based »nice« in which the entire system is housed as a line-replaceable unit in a compact enclosure.
The resulting iCMS 4.0, which builds on Lufthansa Technik’s enormous experience in providing line-fit systems to heavy business jet platforms, features four Ethernet ports, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The interface to the passengers is provided by the touch-sensitive surface already known from existing »nice« systems, which allows, for example, navigating through the various entertainment options. This allows passengers to seamlessly manage comfort functions as well as audio and video content, either via the built-in 10” touch screen or from their personal electronic devices (PEDs). In addition, the new system provides a fully digital platform that allows the crew to personalize the PC-24’s cabin for the passengers in advance of each flight.
“Pilatus is proud to introduce the iCMS 4.0 in-flight entertainment system in collaboration with Lufthansa Technik,” said Ignaz Gretener, vice president of Pilatus’ business aviation unit. “Our modified system, more compact and efficient than ever before, features a fully customized interface tailored to Pilatus’ discerning customers. This innovation not only enhances the onboard experience but also reflects our commitment to pushing the boundaries of aviation technology.”
“We are honored to be part of this remarkable aircraft and to offer Pilatus service enhancements that will elevate the PC-24 passenger experience to an even higher level,” said Andrew Muirhead, vice president OEM and engineering services and head of the original equipment and special aircraft services segment at Lufthansa Technik. “We are proud of our technical achievements in integrating so much functionality into such a compact unit — once again a demonstration of the innovative power of our team. Together with our valued new partner Pilatus, we are now making the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet even more versatile.”
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