Bordeaux-based OVIV Security Technologies has developed a motion sensor and video recording system to put an end to restless nights for owners of top-end business jets while their winged treasures are parked unsupervised at airports.

The battery-run "Sentinel 100", which comes conveniently packaged in a luggage-sized plastic case, is placed on the ground underneath the centre of the aircraft, from where it will scan the vicinity with nothing less but radar. Other technologies are available but none are so reliable than the high-frequency radio waves, said Patrick Maitre, OVIV's sales vice-president.

As soon as the jet's personal space is intruded, four video cameras start recording the areas around the wings as well as towards the nose and tail end of the aircraft. The system also notifies the owner/operator of the incident by text message via a mobile phone application that allows downstreaming of the video images in real time.

Accidents with ground vehicles are a typical example for aircraft damage, but Maitre said that vandalism, such as tagging, also worries aircraft owners, especially at airports with lower security levels.

The radar scanning radius is currently set to roughly 12m (40ft) as the system has been designed for large business jets, such as the Bombardier Global Express, Dassault Falcon 2000 and Gulfstream 550. However, OVIV is working on a larger version for Airbus Corporate Jets and Boeing Business Jets, which is planned for early 2012.

Yesterday the company signed a worldwide distribution contract with First Aviation subsidiary Aerospace Products International.

Source: Flight Daily News

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