Emma Kelly/LONDON
Condor Flugdienst is activating Rockwell Collins' Integrated Information System (I2S) on two Airbus A320s this month as part of a project to test technologies linking an aircraft-based intranet to airline terminal area databases. At the same time, British Airways is equipping the first of two Boeing 747-400s as part of a similar programme.
Condor's Aircraft Integrated Network project will involve transfer of data between the flightdeck and airport terminal when the aircraft is on the ground. Applications include maintenance diagnostics, navigation databases, flightplans and weather data via low-power microwave airport gatelink.
Gatelink infrastructure is installed at Palma de Mallorca Airport in Spain, and additional installations are planned at Germany's Berlin Schonefeld and Leipzig-Halle airports.
Eight Condor A320s are to participate. Applications will be phased in over eight months, starting with crew e-mail, web browser, document library and viewer, leading to ARINC 615-3 automatic flight management system dataload, quick-access recorder software functionality, technical logbook and advanced maintenance ground notification.
Meanwhile, British Airways is equipping two aircraft with wireless local area network capability as part of SITA's Gatelink project. One is due to be equipped shortly, while the second will be outfitted by the end of this year, says SITA marketing director Gerard Collin.
The trial, which includes Rockwell Collins and Penny & Giles, will involve communications between the aircraft and London Heathrow Terminal Four. (LHR T4) SITA is installing access points at LHRT4, which will be connected to its communication network.
Initially, two applications will be explored in the BA trial - flight recorder data and in-flight entertainment data - but the technology has many applications, including updating navigation databases, uploading full passenger profiles, reloading software and flight manuals, says Collin. The trial will allow BA to access information on passenger usage of Rockwell Collins Total Entertainment System, being installed on BA's long haul fleet.
Rockwell Collins, Condor and SITA are involved in a Eurocontrol paper project led by the UK's Defence Evaluation and Research Agency studying the feasibility of and interest in wireless aircraft communications at airports. The results are due in January.
Source: Flight International
