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Azul becomes 1st in Americas for minute-by-minute aircraft flight tracking by adopting Aireon space-based ADS-B

Tuesday 26 March 2019 – Azul Linhas Aéreas has become the first airline in the Americas to exceed modern flight tracking safety standards by embracing truly global, real-time flight tracking capabilities onboard aircraft, with SITAONAIR’s best-in-class AIRCOM® FlightTracker.

The Brazilian low-cost carrier has upgraded to SITAONAIR’s advanced cutting-edge FlightTracker option, which integrates AireonSM space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data from FlightAware®. This gives the airline enhanced awareness of the precise position, speed and altitude of its full airborne fleet, anywhere in the world.

SITAONAIR has now activated its enhanced FlightTracker capabilities aboard Azul’s fleet of A320s and A330s, Embraer 190 and 195s and ATR 72-600s. This was completed in November 2018, ahead of the official launch of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Global Aeronautical Distress & Safety System (GADSS) 15-minute aircraft tracking standard. With the Aireon system, Azul will even exceed the ICAO’s 15-minute standard by receiving aircraft position reports at a standard frequency of at least once per minute.

Already adopted by airlines operating more than 400,000 flights every month, SITAONAIR’s AIRCOM® FlightTracker is a ground-based software system delivering vital global real-time aircraft position alerting to airline operations teams. The application aggregates the best available inflight position data from a wealth of sources – including Aireon’s cutting-edge space-based ADS-B data provided by FlightAware® – on a single aircraft position display. It can deliver real-time flight tracking coverage, even in the farthest reaches of the globe, including oceanic and other remote areas, without aircraft modifications. And coverage density has only improved with Aireon’s space-based ADS-B system.

Carlos Pellegrino, Azul’s OCC Director, says: “Since founding Azul in 2008, SITAONAIR’s AIRCOM® applications have been our first choice for reinforcing our airline’s safety operations. By upgrading to SITAONAIR’s pioneering edition of FlightTracker, complete with Aireon’s space-based ADS-B data from FlightAware®, we can track our entire fleet with enhanced awareness, delivering operational precision, and following ICAO’s recommended best-practice.”

Dominique El Bez, SITAONAIR Vice President, Product and Strategy, says: “We truly believe SITAONAIR’s FlightTracker is the best solution on the market, and are incredibly proud to work with our cherished customer Azul to be the first in the Americas to activate global, real-time flight tracking technologies with our unrivalled solution.

“By incorporating Aireon’s space-based ADS-B data, via FlightAware®, into our pioneering tool, any airline using SITAONAIR’s enhanced AIRCOM® FlightTracker can not only exceed the ICAO’s 15-minute flight-tracking recommendation, but be empowered to boost their operational efficiency and safety in an increasingly congested airspace – delivering precision, enhancing awareness and reinforcing safety, thereby minimizing costs and supporting the passenger’s inflight experience.”

The Aireon space-based ADS-B data system is hosted on the Iridium® NEXT satellite constellation, which consists of 66 low-earth orbit crosslinked satellites with an additional nine satellites in orbit serving as spares. The constellation was completed in January of this year and is expected to be fully operational in the coming weeks. Aireon has partnered with FlightAware® to provide global flight tracking through FlightAware®’s products and partners like SITAONAIR.

To discover SITAONAIR’s AIRCOM® FlightTracker, check out our videos and webinar; discover how you can achieve real-time flight tracking with space-based ADS-B data; download our whitepaper; or explore www.sitaonair.aero.

Our history in a few paragraphs

26th March 2019

As we have already mentioned, Bytron started in 1984. From the outset, we specialised in the design and development of innovative software solutions for the aviation industry.       

Our first software solution, a strip printing program, caught the attention of NATS (the UK Air Traffic Service provider) and they became one of our first major clients. This application was later upgraded to a fully-fledged Flight Data Management System (FDMS), the first computer-based system to successfully promulgate, transmit and receive AFTN messages.

Towards the end of the decade in 1989, our software was actually used to deliver all air traffic control services for the UK which was a contract that lasted over 10 years.

The 90’s was a busy decade for us as our journey into Crew Briefing, and Flight Dispatch really began.

By this time, our clients included the UK CAA, who implemented our newly developed AIS NOTAM Management System throughout the world.

Our software was selected by the Kingdom of Bahrain to run all air traffic and briefing services and our first truly integrated flight crew information system was developed, for the secure and audited aggregation, synchronisation and dissemination of important flight data.

Moving into the Early 21stcentury, we took Crew Briefing to the next level by launching skybook. It was a system that offered cloud-based access for the first time and by 2004 skybook could be accessed remotely via ToughBook’s as we started the drive to reduce the reliance on paper in the cockpit.

Our first EFB solution, the first on the market, actually went live way back in 2007and it proved to be so effective that it was bought by another major solution provider who went on to offer it as part of their own line up.

From this point on, our focus was firmly on delivering our most seamless, intuitive, comprehensive solution to date offering a user experience that is second to none.

skybook is now a multi award winning solution, using a mix of the latest technology and over 30 years of industry knowledge to deliver a range of class leading modules that are being used by a diverse range of clients across the globe.

As you can see, we’ve never been afraid to innovate…

35 years of being a flight deck favourite

26th March 2019

March marks an important milestone for Bytron Aviation Systems as the brand celebrates 35 years in the aviation industry.

Bytron was originally formed in March 1984 by the late Richard Harris and his wife Irene.

Richard, who was a long-haul pilot at the time, spotted an opportunity born out of constant frustration and shortly after the company was formed, the answer to this problem was launched.

What was this solution? It was a strip printing system that automated the provision of weather information for pilots ahead of their flights which back in 1984 was as innovative as a DeLorean time machine.

From day 1, innovation and strong customer service have been at the core of Bytron and the directors have worked hard to build on these values that have been a major part of the business from the very start, setting Bytron Aviation Systems aside from competing firms.

Bytron Managing Director, Shane Spencer said: “I am immensely proud of the company and what we have achieved during our first 35 years and the fact we are still firmly on top of our game is testament to the hard work of everyone back at Bytron HQ.

“We remain totally independent and our skybook solution is built, maintained and further developed in house by our specialist team which allows us to be more flexible and deliver exactly what is required from our clients.

“2019 is an exciting year for us and we’re marking our anniversary with the launch of several new skybook products throughout the year that have been developed together with our clients and industry partners so please watch this space.”

The multiple award winning skybook Aviation Cloud is now the company’s premier solution offering a range of flexible solutions for flight operations and dispatch, Flight Following, airport monitoring, ground handling and also an EFB application.

It’s a solution that continually raises the bar and is already proven by operators across the globe and by Jeppesen and AKKA Technologies, who entered in a supply partnership with Bytron in 2017 and 2018 respectively having selected skybook above other solutions on the market. Both companies are now able to offer skybook as part of their product line up.

skybook is proven to save time and money, to improve efficiency and safety, to improve turnround times and above all, to greatly improve the flow of vital information between flight operations, ground handlers, and the flight deck.

If you want to find out more about skybook and would like to try our software for free, simply email us at info@bytron.aero and we’ll start your journey right away.

Why the skybook EFB? 

Pre-flight checks and briefings, constant NOTAM information, changing weather patterns, aircraft problems, airport issues, delays – we’re only scratching the surface here but already the challenges faced by pilots on every flight are clear for all to see.

A lot of these challenges may be out of everyone’s control, including ours, but that doesn’t stop us from working closely with operators and aircrews to understand their challenges, processes and procedures and to provide solutions that alleviate as many aspects as possible.

The skybook Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) app creates a seamless, automated data management system allowing flight crews to access all vital information and perform key flight management tasks on a device instead of on paper and the advantages of making this switch are clear for all to see.

However, Electronic Flight Bags don’t simply exist to create a paperless flight deck, there are other major benefits for airlines looking to make the switch to digital and virtual platforms.

Moving to the skybook EFB for example, presents aircrews with a fluid interactive platform allowing them to access the best data sets, up to the minute weather and NOTAM, whilst active alerting highlights concerns and challenging conditions and informs decision making.

The EFB works by making all of the most important information available at the touch of a button, using the approved flight plan as the basis for all briefing material and journey logging.

Crews can navigate through their digital pilot briefing with ease, review the operational flight plan in detail, capture and store data during each flight in the journey log and instantly send crew reports back to the dispatch team as they happen. Additionally, flight operations can instantly access journey log information post flight as it is transmitted directly back to the skybook Ground Portal, ensuring vital information doesn’t get delayed or lost, banishing the days of posting flight records back to flight operations which could take days.

The EFB uses automated technology to pull data from several trusted feeds.  This data provides up to the minute information on airfield METAR and TAF, NOTAMs, SNOWTAMs and ASHTAMs, along with FIR data. All on a global scale and specific to each sector being flown, and all of this information can be refreshed in order to ensure it’s current.

The skybook Electronic Flight Bag application caters for iOS, Windows and Android devices and will integrate with 3rd party solutions for added functionality, increased data sharing and to remove the need for aircrews to double key information or perform repetitive tasks.

It’s this flexibility that helps to replace much of the traditional pilot’s flight bag and also greatly streamlines workflows during each flight phase.

This is just a brief insight into how the skybook EFB works.

Our EFB solution provides further benefits; modular by design it can be used as a standalone solution or as part of our broader skybook package. Our solution is developed in-house providing peace of mind that it will be customised to your exact requirements, quickly and within budget.

Give skybook a try.  Request your free 30 – day trial here

Not ready for a free trial yet, take a closer look at our Electronic flight Bag here

Stay on track with skybook Flight Following 

The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 five years ago prompted the International Civil Aviation Organisation to create the GADSS global flight tracking initiative which launched back in 2016.

The requirement to comply to the GADSS flight tracking guidelines and the continuing rise of air traffic, means the job of flight management is becoming more complex. We understand the challenges to ensure the safe and efficient journey of every flight which is why we have developed a solution to improve daily operations and resources involved in monitoring airspace.

Flight Following is our response to the growing need for GADSS standard flight tracking software. Providing a virtual ‘eye in the sky’, skybook utlises either ACARS or ADS-B technology to generate position updates and feeds this information back as an interactive visual in one dashboard. This allows operators to track their active flights anywhere in the world and monitor actual flight progress against the planned route.

Flight Following will help improve up to the minute awareness of active flights by providing a position update every fifteen minutes. Should a flight leave the planned route or fail to return a position request, an instant visual distress notification is generated within Flight Following, alerting operations teams so they can initiate the appropriate action quickly.  Watch it in action.

It isn’t just another flight tracker, it does much more than monitor flight progress.  It greatly increases global situational awareness by continuously reviewing weather, NOTAM, METAR, TAF information for all departure and destination airports so operators can quickly react to changes in conditions that may affect a flight.

Our Flight Following solution provides further benefits; it can be used as a standalone solution or as part of our broader skybook package. Our solution is developed in-house providing peace of mind that it will be customised to your exact requirements, quickly and within budget.

Contact us for more details

NAVBLUE to Provide State-of-the-Art Operations Control Center (OCC) for Porter Airlines

• Porter Airlines becomes the first Canadian airline to take-on NAVBLUE’s innovative Operations Control Suite.
• NAVBLUE, an Airbus company, has emerged as disrupter, steadily growing its share of the Flight -Operations Systems Market.
• NAVBLUE’s N-Flight Planning remains the fastest on the market with a highly configurable flight planning engine to meet any airline’s specific operational needs.
• NAVBLUE’s revolutionary approach brings together all aspects of crew and ops management into a single platform.

21/03/2019 – Porter Airlines, a renowned Canadian regional airline that operates a fleet of Bombardier Dash-8 Q400s out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) to destinations across Canada and the U.S, has signed a long-term deal with NAVBLUE for their innovative Operations Control Centre Suite. This partnership between Porter Airlines and NAVBLUE marks the advent of a new state-of-the-art suite of OCC solutions for the airline flight operations market.

With NAVBLUE’s N-Flight Planning System, Porter Airlines’ dispatchers will have one of the fastest flight planning systems on the market, and the first to fully integrate DTN’s flight hazard forecasting (turbulence, icing and thunderstorms). N-Flight Planning’s rules engine and multi-factor configurability will enable Porter dispatchers to fine-tune the route optimization to meet their specific operational needs (fuel savings, cost-savings, payload maximization, etc.). Dispatcher workflow and productivity is significantly enhanced with automation and manage-by-exception configurable-alerting.

N-RAIDO Ops and Crew Management represents a revolutionary approach to Ops and Crew Management, enabling Porter Airlines to eliminate several existing day-of-ops and long-term planning applications with a single highly-configurable system. Porter can now manage Schedule Planning, Day-of-Ops Management, Crew Scheduling, Crew Payroll, Crew Planning and Crew Qualifications, all within one application with specific user profiles for each work-group. Built on modern systems architecture, N-RAIDO Ops and Crew Management empowers airlines with the ability to define and maintain their own rules, automation, events and reports, eliminating several manual processes. Through N-RAIDO Ops and Crew Management Fire mobile access, Porter flight crews will have real-time access to their schedules and the ability to perform trip trades and pick-up from open time remotely from their mobile devices.

N-Preferential Bidding System returns the most optimal crewing solution, factoring both flight schedules and crew members’ specific requirements. With its new mobile user interface and its mature heuristic algorithm, crew member use is enhanced and adetailed post-award reasons report provide an easy and systematic understanding for transparency.

“We chose NAVBLUE’s suite of services to streamline both our planning and the execution of operations,” said Paul Moreira, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Porter Airlines. “We look forward to realizing the increased efficiency and productivity that the system will provide our teams.” Shawn Mechelke, Vice President N-OCC, at NAVBLUE, shared this insight, “Our vision and strategy of providing a full suite of OCC solutions continues to be confirmed as we expand into the Canadian market with Porter Airlines as our first Canadian airline partner. Porter Airlines sought a flexible, scalable, and modern solution to manage their operations while seeking to gain efficiencies and provide a solution to their crews for optimal scheduling meeting their bid preferences. NAVBLUE’s N-OCC suite of airline operations solutions meets these requirements and will offer a flexible platform for Porter’s future growth. NAVBLUE’s N-OCC solution suite has now penetrated the US, Caribbean, South American and Canadian markets. Indeed, these are very exciting times” concludes Shawn Mechelke.

Airbus Helicopters’ Partnership with Rusada Enables Digital Pipeline

ATLANTA, USA: Airbus Helicopters’ maintenance information system Fleet Master, which is powered by Rusada’s ENVISON, was demonstrated by the OEM at this year’s HAI Heli-Expo.

Airbus performed daily live demonstrations of their HCare connected services range, of which Fleet Master is a key component, as well as announcing several new customers. Superior Helicopters became the first HCare Infinite customer in North America and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) of the United Kingdom signed a global support contract for their fleet of 19 helicopters. The NPAS helicopters are managed by Airbus Helicopters UK, which also utilises ENVISION.

For approved service centres and small to medium-sized fleet operators without a dedicated maintenance information system (MIS), Airbus Helicopters and Rusada offer Fleet Master, a turnkey homegrown solution powered by ENVISION, that seamlessly exchanges maintenance data with Airbus systems. The system is available for competitive prices to operators of Airbus helicopters and maintenance organisations with Airbus approval. Recognising that companies may have multiple approvals and operate multiple different helicopter and aircraft types, the system is fully capable of managing diverse fleets.

Capable of linking with aircraft data systems, Fleet Keeper, the Airbus e-techlog, Orion documentation, spares ordering and providing data analytics extracts, FleetMaster is a key component of the new digital pipeline offered by Airbus Helicopters to the rotary wing community.

Today, more than 600 helicopters are sharing data with Airbus Helicopters. They represent just about every helicopter type in Airbus’ range – H125s, H130s, H145s, H155s, H175s, H215s, and H225s, among others – performing a wide variety of missions including emergency medical services (EMS), public services, tourism, training, private and business aviation, oil & gas and search and rescue.

Julian Stourton, CEO at Rusada said:

“Airbus Helicopters gave a terrific demonstration of their HCare suite at Heli-Expo, with some outstanding services on display and numerous contracts signed. I’m proud that Rusada is able to play critical part in their success and look forward to further strengthening our partnership.”

FREQUENTIS, Qantas and Smart4Aviation win IHS Janes Technology award for innovative route optimising flight planning platform

Annual ATC awards 2019 recognise Frequentis, Qantas and Smart4aviation for enabling flight efficiency and fuel savings.

The annual IHS Jane’s ATC awards 2019 took place again at World ATM Congress in Madrid to reward companies and projects across six categories for their work over the previous 12 months. Australian airline Qantas developed a flight planning platform jointly with Frequentis, Smart4Aviation and the University of Sydney, to enable efficiency and fuel savings, winning this year’s Technology award. 

The Qantas flight planning platform (Constellation) can ingest rich data sets from external sources, allowing it to continually assess and adjust its flight paths while en-route, providing for the flexibility to fit with flow constraints, reduce fuel consumption and emissions and increase safety.

“Developing a flight optimisation platform was a vision of Qantas for some time. For Constellation to win this award is a significant achievement that shines a spotlight on what is now an operational reality. Together with Frequentis, Smart4Aviation and University of Sydney we have created a flight planning platform that combines best of breed products and latest data standards with cutting edge algorithmic techniques to enable flight planning optimization benefits across the Qantas network” says Mike Riegler, Manager Innovation and Support, Qantas Flight Operations Systems.

Frequentis provided smartDM, part of the Frequentis integrated smartAIM/CADAS portfolio, which allows Qantas to ingest global aeronautical data including digital NOTAM. The solution also allows Qantas to manage a layer of company navigation data that supports the flight planning engine to optimize within approved company constraints such as company routes and freeflight airspace. Based on this data, flight planning and flight plan optimisation is performed resulting in increased safety through accurate navigation data constraint modelling, better fuel prediction and significant business process improvements.

“We are pleased to be supporting an airline with its goals for route optimisation and fully support Qantas with their next challenge to open direct flights, Sydney to London and Sydney to New York by 2022. Capacity concerns are challenging the industry across the globe. By working together on innovative approaches for collecting dynamic data, and utilising it while en-route, enables Qantas to respond positively to the capacity challenge.”, says Dirk Withake, Frequentis Vice President Aeronautical Information Management.

Smart4Aviation’s main contribution to the partnership was comprised of a rich and fully featured flight planning application and user experience, seamlessly integrated with the Qantas’ proprietary flight optimisation engine and Frequentis’ AIXM 5.1 and ARINC 424 nav data management solution. Experts in integration, Smart4Aviation connected over 30 different operational systems reducing the amount of backend effort required to manage a system of this complexity. Another Smart4Aviation key contribution, was our the Airport Suitability module which analyses airports and airspace for operational status permitting the generation of highly accurate and fully compliant automated flight plans.

Moreover, Smart4Aviation has integrated its acclaimed Smart BRIEF, Smart NOTAM MANAGER, Smart MET, Smart COMM, and Smart VIEW+ solutions with other Qantas applications, thereby feeding the engine an enormous amount of valuable and timely operational data while creating a second to none overall operational experience.

“The development of this system has been a tireless effort engaging teams of more than 100 professionals from Qantas, Frequentis and Smart4Aviation. The success of the project and the achievement of this milestone is a proud moment in not just the success of the system itself but in success of our partnership.”, says Mike Lewis, Smart4Aviation CEO.

Qantas embarked on a project to replace its aging mainframe-based flight planning system in 2013 by engaging the University of Sydney to research and prototype an innovative path optimiser using Probabilistic Road Map (PRM) techniques. Qantas then engaged leading aviation software providers Frequentis and Smart4Aviation to provide the remaining components of the platform and migrate to a cloud environment. A key requirement was support for automation and future proofing through adoption of standards such as AIXM 5.

The annual IHS Janes ATC awards allow companies the opportunity to nominate innovative, field-proven technologies and projects, which are then reviewed by an experienced panel of industry experts. The technology award reflects significant contributions by equipment and systems suppliers.

Left to right: Ben Vogel – Janes IHS Markit, Mike Riegler – Qantas, Maciej Migacz – Smart4Aviation, Francesco

Saraceni and Catalin Roman – Frequentis, Shane Harney – smart4Aviation, Geoff Bell – Qantas, Dirk Whitake –

Frequentis. Photograhy: Patrick Allen – HIS Markit

Hawaiian selects TRAX eMobility apps

MIAMI, January 15, 2019 – Founded 89 years ago as Inter-Island Airways, Hawaiian Airlines (HA) has been an integral part of life in Hawaii for generations. It started in 1929 with their 8-seater Sikorsky aircraft and a Bellanca monoplane that offered sightseeing service for $5 per person. Hawaiian now has a fleet of 65 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 10 each of Airbus A321neo and Boeing 787-9 aircraft on order. It is the 10^th largest commercial airline in the U.S. with 28 destinations. The airline names its individual aircraft after birds found in Polynesia, as well as Polynesian constellations historically used to navigate to the Hawaiian Islands.

HA has had its eye on going paperless for a while now and plans to deploy the full suite of eMobility solutions using a phased approach. The suite includes the LineControl, AeroDox, QuickTurn, TaskControl, EZstock, VisualCheck, CabinLog and PilotLog iOS apps easily accessible using iPads. These apps are supplemented by the web-based interactive dashboard apps used by Crew Chiefs, Controllers and others to view production and manpower data, tasks, deadlines and non-routine issues, as well as make job assignments.

Susi Goering, Senior Manager of Technical Operations Processes & Technology, explained that HA issues out an iPad Mini to their mechanics, which then have the option to store it at work in charging lockers, or take it home after their shift. In addition to eMobility, the iPads have many other apps to facilitate communication between mechanics and enable team members to do their job in a stream-lined manner. “HA is looking forward to benefitting from the reduced and eliminated travel times of our mechanics, specifically in the maintenance environment. Team members will be able to view manuals, sign off work, order parts, or contact their leads without leaving the aircraft they are on,” Goering noted.

Startup carrier Canada Jetlines launches with eMRO

MIAMI, March 14, 2019 – In keeping with its mission to provide Canadians with “the best value in air travel with a focus on safety and reliability”, startup ultra-low cost carrier Canada Jetlines has selected the web-based TRAX eMRO software as its ERP maintenance solution. “TRAX’s products provide the means to manage and maintain all information generated and allows for complete information flow with leading-edge tools for customization that will enable Jetlines to maintain an efficient process and tight cost control as a result,” said Phillip Larsen, Vice President of Maintenance..

Jetlines is set to fly across Canada and offer non-stop service from Canada to the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. The carrier plans to fly some 27 routes, including to unserved or underserved markets by other airlines, such as Hamilton, Ontario to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Delivery of two Airbus A320s are expected by early 2nd quarter of 2019, with long term plans to expand to 24 aircraft. The sister aircraft have a high-density seating configuration of a single class seating capacity of 180 seats. An Airbus A320 fleet was selected based on its fuel-efficient narrow-body framework, making it an ideal choice for Jetlines to start operations with.

The TRAX eMRO software is a web-based, device-agnostic ERP product that will keep its users connected from where ever they work. It is a complete system with complete information flow. The numerous system modules cover technical, maintenance, materials, financial, and quality management to help reduce downtime, provide access to real-time data, and ensure full regulatory compliance.