Runway Girl

Gary Hebb on mesh: "My grandchildren might enjoy it."

2009-11-06T19:51:31Z

Do you remember when airborne antenna maker AeroSat said it was developing an in-flight Internet system based on an aircraft-to-aircraft relay communications system?

Well, AeroSat is not the only firm that is interested.

EMS, which provides darn near everything to an aircraft but the kitchen sink (see below) and, notably, is supplying the Ku-band antenna for Panasonic's Ku-band satellite-based eXConnect system, is "very interested in mesh networks", says EMS vice-president of strategy and innovation Gary Hebb.

Key quote:

"They are excellent for the military. But you've got to install a lot of them before it works. Is one airline enough to support a mesh network or would all [need to participate]?"

Good point!

So does Hebb rule out a mesh network for the commercial space?

Not exactly.

Hebb says EMS is keen to use every tool in the shed to find the most cost efficient way to send/receive data from an aircraft.

"Something that is its own infrastructure is inherently low-cost. I believe it will happen eventually. My grandchildren might enjoy it."

Cheeky monkey alert - how old are you Gary? I'm trying to get a lock on the timeline you're suggesting here...teeheehee.

Continental Airlines pilots gets their voice back

2009-11-05T15:16:16Z

What's the one thing that Continental Airlines pilots would absolutely love to have on board their aircraft?

Airborne telephony service, the likes of which was previously offered by now-defunct Verizon Airfone!

That's the revelation that Continental engineering project manager Brian Roland made at the recent World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) conference and exhibition in Palm Springs.

Airfone in 2006 ended its service on board commercial airline flights. The air-to-ground (ATG) service was featured on over 1,000 aircraft flying in the Americas for Continental, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways.

"Flight ops want the old voice communications back," said Roland.

As such, in 2007, the carrier inked a deal with Avionica to outfit nine Boeing 737-800 passenger aircraft with the firm's satLINK Iridium system, including antenna, wiring, structural elements and a control panel. The initial installations provide an Iridium phone handset in the cockpit.

In an update this year, IridiumEverywhere.com reported:

Continental must be pretty pleased. The carrier is "putting Iridium on a few of our fleets", revealed Roland at WAEA.

Roland also revealed that Continental "sees a future need to have streaming maintenance data off the aircraft".

But would Continental's Iridium arrangement position the carrier to take advantage of LiveTV's new Iridium-based Kiteline World global in-flight connectivity product?

Not exactly.

Regular Iridium is 2.4 Kbps and $1.50 per minute, which is used for cockpit voice. Iridium Aero Openport operates at 128 Kbps and is supporting Kiteline World.

Continental is, however, in the process of equipping its Boeing domestic fleet with LiveTV's latest generation live television product. And the carrier is set to experiment with LiveTV's ATG-based domestic Kiteline email service on roughly 30 aircraft in the first quarter.

The service will be free.

Who else loves this carrier?

Should Rockwell Collins buy Lumexis or IMS?

2009-11-04T20:02:08Z

Susanna Ray over at Bloomberg has written a bang-on good piece about how Rockwell Collins is seeking acquisitions.

Key pars (but do read the entire article):

Rockwell Collins Inc., the maker of cockpit instruments and radios, is looking for "bolt-on, tuck- in acquisitions" after generating a record level of operating cash flow, Chief Executive Officer Clay Jones said.

"There's a good pipeline of opportunities out there, and we're definitely looking for those opportunities," Jones said in an interview today, declining to specify which areas the company would target. "We have plenty of capacity."

This got me to thinking. In light of Rockwell Collins' recent comments to me about how it is interested in potentially offering seat-back IFE on single-aisle aircraft, should the company think about broaching Lumexis and/or IMS or others?

Rockwell Collins director of cabin systems marketing Andrew Mohr said the firm's vast experience in providing IFE and connectivity solutions to the business jet market means that there is "a lot of in-house technology that could be very applicable to enhancing either in-seat or overhead [commercial IFE] so we don't have to go with a partner" but he noted that there are "also good partnering opportunities as well".

Lumexis and IMS have some pretty nifty IFE offerings, including the fiber-to-the-screen (FTTS) system and RAVE, respectively, for example. I'm not suggesting for one second that either of them are asking to be bought, ahem.

But Rockwell Collins currently only offers drop-down IFE. Is it time for Rockwell Collins to get back into the seat-back IFE game?

Thales is connected with new London "suite"

2009-11-03T20:57:44Z

In-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) giant Thales has opened a new "Connectivity Suite" in London.

The brand new facility enables Thales to give a first hand experience of the latest airborne connectivity capabilities available from the manufacturer.

For example, Thales can demo its TopFlight satcom and TopConnect solutions, which provide Wi-Fi, VoIP, UMA, PBX and web browsing functions over Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband (SBB) aeronautical service.

The suite is designed to be interactive so users can try their own "connected devices" over the Wi-Fi & SBB link.

Word of the new Connectivity Suite comes as Air France has rolled out its new Airbus A380 with Thales IFE. Air France has not, however, elected to offer in-flight connectivity on its aircraft as yet.

Air France-KLM vice-president and general manager, USA Christine Ourmieres recently told me that the group's technology experts are studying what kind of solutions are available but have not made a decision.

Here's a key par from Thales on what Air France does offer on the A380:

Portable IFE meets charitable causes

2009-11-03T17:30:02Z

Portable in-flight entertainment (IFE) specialist digEcor believes handhelds still have a long shelf life despite the proliferation of personal electronic devices (PEDs) among passengers.

To wit, the firm is working with Chinese partner Lefeel Media Technology to bring to market new 7in and 10in portables, the L7 and L10 respectively, which are thin, sleek and highly durable (pictured). The hardware is so strong that you can even toss a player on the ground without it breaking, according to digEcor.

For more information on the L7 and L10, read the following brochure: Lefeel Brochure.pdf

That portable IFE still has legs in today's PED-laden world must be good news to the Deseret Foundation, the Ensign Peak Foundation and the America Foundation.

Why? Because all three public charities own all the stock in digEcor and "all the revenue from the digEcor line goes to charity", according to company president CEO Brent Wood.

During a press briefing at the recent World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) conference and exhibition, Wood revealed that the Deseret Foundation, which promotes healthcare in the greater Salt Lake City area, and the Ensign Peak Foundation, which preserves historical sites, each own a 48% shareholding in digEcor. The America Foundation owns the remaining 4%.

"We continue to operate the companies under their direction - their board of trustees," said Wood.

The gifting of digEcor's ownership to charity came at a time when the firm was in a protracted legal dispute with former partner and rival e.Digital. That case finally saw some level of resolution when a Utah district court recently dismissed with prejudice all of digEcor's remaining claims against e.Digital, and ordered that it recover no damages or injunctive relief.

So I asked digEcor if one had anything to do with the other. "No. DigEcor's non-profit ownership is completely unrelated to any lawsuit," says a digEcor spokesman.

He points out that the Wood family, like many other members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has a long history of philanthropy. Brent Wood is, for example, president of Clear Horizons Academy, a special school for autistic children.

On 7 November Clear Horizons will hold its annual Gala Dinner and Auction to benefit the centre. For more information, call: 801-437-0490.

And, if you'd like a good view of the L7 and L10, check out the following video plus pics:

Things that make you go hmmmm...

2009-11-02T13:40:23Z

Boeing has far more important things to worry about than deciding what in-flight connectivity it will choose for the 787. Shouldn't it focus on getting the twinjet into the air first? That was the seemingly logical viewpoint expressed by many observers after learning that the airframer has issued a request for information for an Inmarsat SwiftBroadband-supported satcom interface and on-board mobile telephony installation for the 787. But such sentiment is short-sighted.

When Boeing finally delivers its first 787 in the fourth quarter of 2010, robust in-flight connectivity will already be offered on at least a couple of thousand aircraft, including some Northwest Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9s now operated by merger partner Delta Air Lines (I'm reminded of my very first blog post). Boeing could hardly lay claim to having the most state-of-the-art cabin in the market if the 787 doesn't have an in-flight connectivity solution akin to that which is offered on 40-year old aircraft. Just imagine the headlines: "I'm sitting on Boeing's new Dreamliner and can't even send a tweet!"

That Boeing has waited so long to issue an RFI for a 787 connectivity solution is understandable. The airframer was badly burned by its own failed foray into airborne internet, Connexion by Boeing, which was closed at the end of 2006. There is also little doubt that Boeing brainpower has been preoccupied of late. But with the issuance of its RFI, the airframer appears to be finally waking up from its connectivity coma. That's not just smart. It's necessary.

My above comment, which is running in this week's Flight International magazine, describes only one of the myriad reasons why Boeing needs to think seriously about connectivity for the 787 (there are, as you know, opportunities to create operational efficiencies and generate ancillary revenue through real-time credit card validation, for instance).

If you ask OnAir chief executive CEO Benoit Debains, however, he'll tell you that all of these things are secondary to what is truly important - cockpit communications.

Key quote:

"It would not surprise me that Boeing will conclude as Airbus that SwiftBroadband is the basic option they want to offer. The reason is that I think the people know that eventually they will need Swiftbroadband for the cockpit. Passenger connectivity is nice to have but it's not critical. The cockpit communication is critical."

Inmarsat's head of marketing, aeronautical Lars Ringertz adds:

"At the moment, Classic services are used for the cockpit. Currently, we allow two channels of SwiftBroadband to the aircraft, but as of 2013, we will allow four channels [which would support] two to the cockpit and two to the cabin."

So RWG, what you're saying is that the Boeing RFI has a whole other side to it, which involves the cockpit?

Correctamundo my friend.

Things that make you go hmmmm...

Chicago CEO needs to wash her mouth out with soap

2009-10-29T18:29:30Z

I grew up in an Irish Catholic home, where the word "hell" wasn't so much a curse word as it was a potential destination for my immortal soul.

And so, when an executive from Chinese carrier Spring, during a recent presentation at the World Low Cost Airlines Congress in Barcelona, misidentified me as a Chicago-based CEO and misquoted me as saying that stand-up seats would be "an interesting trip to hell", I couldn't help but chuckle.

Lord knows all trips to hell are interesting. I'm told that the problem arises when you actually get there.

But I digress. My friend over at Aviation Week, Andy Compart, was in the audience when the Spring executive showed the following slide.

Compart, who was kind enough to forward the slide along, says:

I didn't even realize until I got a copy of the presentation how badly they butchered your quote -- which is odd, since the original quote already was in English! Someone must have translated it to Chinese and then back into English. The botched version actually slams the airline's proposal.

But should the airline's proposal be slammed? Does Spring's idea for a standing-room only configuration look like a hell of a good one? Or a hellish ride? Or will passengers feel like hell when they reach their destination?

See for yourself. Compart has a raft of amazing pictures to show you in his blog: "Standing-Room Only Seats - The Photos."

Is Ambit's lawsuit against Aircell starting to bite?

2009-10-29T13:28:49Z

Earlier this year, US technology firm Ambit Corp filed a lawsuit against Delta Air Lines and Aircell claiming patent infringement regarding the provision of Internet access onboard aircraft.

I debated whether to report on this event and ultimately decided to write this erudite paragraph, ahem:

Marsha, I mean Aircell, Aircell, Aircell. With all the news about Aircell, you might be wondering - what's up with Ambit's lawsuit against Aircell? Whose lawsuit? Ambit of course! If you want more details, I can dredge them up for ya. But, from what I hear, folks are not giving too much credence to this suit. Yeah, yeah, I know. Famous last words, right? Aircell says it does not comment on pending legislation. But I'm going to hazard a guess that Aircell did it's homework on this one.

Whether the suit has merit or not is beside the point right now. Why is that RWG?

Firstly, the legal action is still in play. Ambit president and co-founder Robert Crowley confirmed that much for me this morning. He declined further comment.

Secondly, I'm hearing that at least one airframer, Bombardier, is holding off on offering Aircell's air-to-ground (ATG)-based high-speed Internet system on its business aircraft until the case is settled.

As I reported in Flight magazine, two Learjet 60XRs equipped with Aircell's SwiftBroadband (SBB) solution - one outfitted in Bombardier's new "Red" interior and the other labelled "Black" - were on static display at the annual National Business Aviation Association meeting and convention in Orlando, Florida on 20-22 October (look closely at the pic above and you'll see the SBB antenna).

These birds were formerly destined for Jet Republic, which placed the largest ever SBB order and then went out of business (I am not suggesting one had anything to do with the other...cheeky monkey!).

A source on the ground at NBAA says Bombardier informed people at its booth that it is waiting to see how the Aircell patent lawsuit plays out before offering the ATG system on its business aircraft.

Needless to say, on hearing this bit of information, I knocked on everyone's door for comment.

Bombardier said only the following: "We haven't announced a supplier for connectivity."

A spokesman at Aircell's business aircraft division said: "On your question, unfortunately Aircell isn't able to comment on litigation or discussions that take place with its customers."

He did point out, however, that Aircell has scored some nice wins of late, including the newly-announced Hawker Beechcraft selection and a huge deal with Flight Options.

I also tapped Aircell's commercial side for comment (since Delta is named in the suit, and logic would dictate that if Ambit has a problem with Delta it might very well have a problem with other Gogo-equipped carriers).

A spokesman at Aircell's commercial division said: "Aircell cannot comment on pending litigation."

For more information about this case, read the following documents.

Ambit suit.pdf
Ambit suit 2.pdf
PatentSummaryInfo.doc

So, is Ambit's lawsuit against Aircell starting to bite? And is it time to take notice?

One industry insider, upon learning of the case in February, told me the following:

...the development is as surprising as it is disturbing, since it may be extended to other satellite-based aeronautical communications applications (e.g., GSM picocell) given its broad language and other mobile applications (e.g., maritime and land mobile) since the patent focuses on "vehicles" of all types.

VIDEO: Airlines fear another aircraft programme delay

2009-10-28T18:08:32Z

Flightblogger Jon Ostrower and I took some trains to New York last week to hear Bombardier talk about planes, specifically the Canadian airframer's planned CSeries narrowbody.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Gary Scott told us that, in light of the 787 and A380 delays, airlines' greatest fear these days is new-design aircraft programme execution (can't say I blame them).

With regard the CSeries, Bombardier is keen to dispel any concerns about the airframer's integrated supply chain.

Check out the video. Scott, a former Boeing guy, is a frank son of a gun, eh?

PHOTO: Women in aviation

2009-10-28T00:45:18Z

I received this photo of Virgin Group president and founder Sir Richard Branson with Virgin America pilots Melinda Senior, Kim Gabrelcik, and Angela Cailliau from the San Francisco-based carrier.

Says Virgin America:

Sir Richard keynoted the general session of the 2009 California Women's Conference with Gov. Schwarzenegger and FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Baer. Sir Richard and the panel discussed the success of micro-loans to female borrowers in the third world, the importance of risk-taking, and the need for more women to enter fields, like aviation, where a fresh perspective is needed.

Virgin America, the only California-based airline, was the Official Airline Sponsor of the 2009 Women's Conference. Speakers and attendees from across the country flew into Los Angeles for the two-day conference via Virgin America's award-winning service. Other speakers at the conference included such notables as Annie Leibovitz, Madeleine Albright, Alicia Keyes, Candace Bushnell and Caroline Kennedy.

A lot of great women in that list, but a special hats off to the women in aviation!

VIDEO: CSeries has space for your bags

2009-10-27T22:43:22Z

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft vice-president marketing Philippe Poutissou shows us the big bags that will fit in the CSeries' big overhead bins.

Two big thumbs up!

Key quote:

"This airplane has been designed with a huge amount of onboard stowage."

Details of 787 connectivity RFI revealed

2009-10-27T18:58:34Z

"What is your ability to support delivery on the 787 in the 3rd quarter 2011?"

That's one of the questions being asked by Boeing in a request for information (RFI) for an Inmarsat SwiftBroadband-supported satcom interface and onboard mobile telephony installation for the 787.

NOTE: The RFI, obtained by yours truly, is, by nature of the definition, an information-gathering vehicle. It is not a request for proposals. Ya'll know the difference, but its worth underscoring that point.

Also, I asked Boeing for comment and it declined, saying: "We do not comment on RFIs and have no additional comment to offer."

Key info from my Flightglobal article:

Boeing's preferred solution for installation of an onboard mobile telephony system (OMTS) is to have it integrated with the IFE system.

As a minimum Boeing would like to see all server and control functions integrated into existing IFE components.

As part of the RFI, Boeing will also evaluate a non-integrated or standalone OMTS solution.

Boeing is also evaluating multiple SwiftBroadband architectures, and asks that respondents to the RFI address the integration of these architectures and any issues, limitation or benefits their system would have with the different architectures. (The pic above shows Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband global coverage.)

For an integrated IFE/OMTS system, Boeing wants to know what services will be offered - voice, data, SMS, send/receive, web, email or other.

It also wants a detailed system/design architecture, saying "incorporation of OMTS on the 787 will follow current and future ARINC 824 industry standards".

Key info not in my initial story (because as RWG readers you're special...seriously):

The Boeing RFI says that, for an integrated IFE/OMTS system, Boeing assumes a leaky feeder coax antenna system will be used for the OMTS. It also says the 787 programme would prefer to utilize a leaky feeder antenna system that also supports Wi-Fi.

With regard the SwiftBroadband system interface, Boeing asks: "Would your system interface with a SwiftBroadband system as the off-board link (i.e. IP-based)?" The airframer says its preferred method is PPPoE (streaming or back ground) and the OMTS must have an Ethernet based interface to a broadband off-board system and digital communication circuits with voice priority.

The airframer also wants to know how many simultaneous calls respondents can support and how much dedicated bandwidth is required.

But let's get back to that key question:

What is your ability to support delivery on the 787 in the 3rd quarter 2011, asks Boeing in its RFI.

Jiminy cricket! Please tell me that Boeing will get passenger connectivity on board the 787 sooner than that. Because if it doesn't, won't those initial deliveries, now scheduled for 4Q 2010, look less than state-of-the-art?

It is worth noting that Boeing is gathering info on an in-flight mobile connectivity service, despite the fact that the USA doesn't permit the in-flight usage of cell phones!!!

It is also worth noting that there are, at present, two main providers in the mobile connectivity sector - Arinc/Telenor partnership AeroMobile and Airbus/SITA JV OnAir.

And, it is also worth noting that, should Boeing take the SwiftBroadband path, it won't be the first to do so. Airbus' airline network architecture ALNA v2 is a multi-programme, scalable and modular platform that enables an onboard mobile telephone system and light Internet via SwiftBroadband. (Does Airbus look ahead of the curve or what?)

Oman Air is getting the first ALNA v2-equipped widebody on 27 November. The carrier will offer OnAir mobile services. I told you that bird would be special.

And good gracious, but isn't that a lot of noteworthy stuff?

Boeing gives us the IFE facts

2009-10-26T23:37:26Z

Did you know that in-flight entertainment (IFE) is the second most expensive item on the modern commercial jet (after the engines), and that it is the most complex system on board the airplane in terms of the amount of wiring, individual components, and lines of software code?

Well now you do. In a unique advertisement in the latest edition of Avion, the WAEA's official publication, readers were presented with some interesting IFE facts care of Boeing (click on pic below). Wanna know my favorite fact?

"When looking across the life of the airplane...the IFE system may actually become the most expensive procured item if an airline converts to an updated system during that span."

One way to avoid such a costly retrofit, of course, if for an airline to acquire state-of-the-art IFE in advance of aircraft delivery (if and when it can).

But shouldn't the same logic extend to connectivity, especially since IFE and C (IFEC) are becoming inextricably linked these days?

What airline wants to bolt on a pricey connectivity system to a brand new just-rolled-off-the-line bird?

Don't put your hands up all at once.

Passive revenue from active selling

2009-10-26T14:04:33Z

Amended below to include my proper Yahoo email address. It has already been one of those days...

"Show me the money." That memorable quote from the movie Jerry Maguire was the aptly-chosen headline of a very interesting speech given by Thales Avionics business development manager - new passenger experiences Andrew Bourque at the recent World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) conference and exhibition in Palm Springs, California.

Full disclosure - I didn't hear the speech in real-time, as I was on a mission to hit the show floor as hard as I could, although I understand it featured a flight attendant, convergence of IFE and point of sale (POS) handhelds, and free Vegas giveaways.

So how do I know that Bourque kicked a field goal at WAEA? I've got his full presentation, which is all about using IFE to monetize the cabin, including an important segment on building passive revenue from targeted adverts, sponsored content and surveys. Here are a few slides to wet your appetite.

Unfortunately, the Moveable Type platform from which I blog won't let me upload Bourque's sizable presentation, which is definitely worth a read. If you're interested in seeing the whole shebang, feel free to contact me at mary_b_kirby@yahoo.com (For maximum effect, I recommend that you view the presentation in full slide show form).

Has Boeing issued RFP for 787 in-flight connectivity?

2009-10-22T19:40:18Z

Has Boeing issued a request for proposals (RFP) for in-flight connectivity solutions for the 787 cabin?

That's what I'm hearing from sources, folks, although Boeing has not confirmed the existence of an RFP.

The airframer has, however, confirmed that it has not yet selected an in-flight connectivity solution for the twinjet.

"We are in the process of an extensive trade study on this subject at this time," says Boeing.

According to major IFEC players Panasonic and Thales, Boeing is under pressure to come up with an answer for its 787 customers.

Check out Flight Global's new IFEC channel for the full story, but here is a taster from that piece:

"There is a lot of things that Boeing is trying to do to deliver it [the 787] on time but the overwhelming and loud feedback from the customer is 'you have to address this issue [in-flight connectivity] and you have to do it very quickly'," reveals David Bruner, vice-president, global communications services for Panasonic.

Way back in August 2005, Boeing announced Rockwell Collins as its provider of next-generation avionics systems for the 787. Rockwell Collins is the supplier and systems integrator of the flight deck display system and crew alerting system, pilot controls, communication and surveillance systems, the aircraft's common data network, and the core network cabinet.

So we know Rockwell Collins has the cockpit covered. But what about the 787 cabin? Will it have Internet? Mobile connectivity? Light Internet?

An increasing number of carriers are equipping their aircraft with solutions on offer from Panasonic, Thales, AeroMobile, OnAir, Aircell, Row 44 and others.

With the 787 scheduled to be flight-tested by year-end, and first deliveries slated for the fourth quarter of 2010, is it decision-making time?