#GCAPODCAST Ep. 18: How IATA’s ‘Turbulence Aware’ Helps Airlines Fly Steady

The International Air Transportation Association’s (IATA) Turbulence Aware platform is a tool makes aggregated turbulence data available to airlines using an algorithm developed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), which collects turbulence parameters from aircraft systems and sensors.

IATA first started working on the system three years ago, and it has been operational throughout 2019 with 31 participating airlines — ten of which are currently feeding real-time turbulence information into it.

On this episode of the Global Connected Aircraft Podcast, we discuss the benefits of Turbulence Aware for airlines with Katya Vashchankova, head of IATA’s meteorology program and Brent King, head of flight operations for IATA.

Listen to the episode below, or check it out on iTunes. If you like the show, subscribe on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes as soon as they’re released.

#GCAPODCAST Ep. 17: How the World’s Only Flying Eye Hospital Uses Connectivity to Teach Medicine

Orbis International operates the world’s only Flying Eye Hospital, an MD-10 converted into an ophthalmic hospital and teaching facility that flies to developing nations around the world to bring training local doctors and nurses.

On this episode, we speak with Bruce Johnson, director of aircraft operations for Orbis International, about the connectivity that powers this unique aircraft. Johnson discussed the process of reconfiguring the MD-10, the sensors and networks necessary to monitor sensitive medical equipment onboard, and how the aircraft turns into a teaching hospital — broadcasting lessons live — wherever it lands.

Listen to the episode below, or check it out on iTunes. If you like the show, subscribe on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes as soon as they’re released.

#GCAPODCAST Ep. 16: How Swiss Airlines’ Digital Twin Improves Maintenance

On this episode, we interview Marcus Di Laurenzio on how Swiss Airlines is using Aviatar, a platform developed by Lufthansa Technik, to digitally monitor the health of its aircraft and manage maintenance operations. Di Laurenzio, project manager for Aviatar at the airline, explains how the open platform takes in aircraft data, places it in a centralized location maintenance staff can access via a web-based dashboard, and enables the airline to use predictive maintenance to avoid grounded aircraft.

Listen to the episode below, or check it out on iTunes. If you like the show, subscribe on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes as soon as they’re released.

Registration is now OPEN for GCAS 2020. We’ve made major changes to the format & focus of the event, including a heavy emphasis on AI, data and cyber, so check it out at www.gcasummit.com. We look forward to seeing you there.

#GCAPODCAST Ep. 15: NSR’s Guide to Satellite Connectivity

Drawing from one of the most insightful presentations from GCAS 2019, in this episode Chris Baugh and Brad Grady, respectively president and principal analyst at Northern Sky Research (NSR) — one of the most recognizable global satellite and space market research and consulting firms — provide a demystifying look at satellite-based in-flight connectivity.

Baugh and Grady talk about the differences between LEO, MEO and GEO constellations as well as some of the key challenges and considerations for airlines considering purchasing new satellite connectivity. Check out the new episode below:

#GCASPODCAST Ep. 14: VistaJet’s Nick van der Meer on Launching LuxStream

Nick van der Meer is the chief operating officer of VistaJet. Photo: VistaJet

On the latest episode of the Global Connected Aircraft Podcast, I spoke with VistaJet Chief Operating Officer Nick Van der Meer.

VistaJet will be launching a brand new customized in-flight connectivity service across its fleet of 116 aircraft (combined with XOJet’s fleet after their acquisition) in the near future.

Luxstream is powered by the SES Ku-band satellite network, distributed by Collins Aerospace’s ARINCDirect portfolio of services.

The LuxStream system promises to enable the following:

• 24/7 digital connectivity in-flight with the ability for simultaneous streaming of ultra HD content and access to their full-suite of connected devices;
• A unique service offering the highest in-flight bandwidth available;
• Up to 25 Mbps in the United States and 15 Mbps globally.

Listen to the new episode below.

#GCASPODCAST Ep. 13: Seamless Air Alliance CEO Jack Mandala

On this episode of the Global Connected Aircraft Podcast, I spoke to Jack Mandala, CEO of the Seamless Air Alliance, about how their organization of more than 20 members, including Aeromexico, Airbus, Etihad Airways, Delta Air Lines, Sprint and more are developing open architecture standards for in-flight connectivity. The Alliance was launched in February 2018 with a goal of enabling airline passengers to use their connected devices in a seamless way on airplanes, without having to go through a complicated login process or paywall.

A research study released by SAA at this year’s World Mobile Congress in Barcelona concluded technology standardization would increase the value of the in-flight connectivity market by $11.4 billion. In our discussion, Mandala explained their open standards work for in-flight connectivity and the new Hotspot 2.0 Wi-Fi services they launched and demonstrated at the 2019 Paris Air Show.

#GCASPODCAST Ep. 12: How Air Canada is Using A New Data Analytics Platform

On the latest episode of the Global Connected Aircraft podcast, we spoke with Air Canada’s Shaul Shalev and Sisense CEO Amir Orad about how airlines can use data analytics to improve the way the analyze, process and communicate data points and information about their flight operations and overall organizational workflows.

Next year’s GCAS will take place in Denver, Colorado, from June 2-4! Stay tuned for ticket and agenda information, coming soon on the GCAS website.

#GCAPODCAST Ep. 11: United Airlines’ Jon Merritt on Flight Operations and Technology

Jon Merritt, senior director of flight operations and technology at United Airlines.

The annual Global Connected Aircraft Summit took place in June and we’re highlighting a few outstanding presentations from the summit on the podcast.

One of the topics that always generates a tremendous amount of audience engagement at the Summit is the use of in-flight internet and connectivity by the flight operations and maintenance divisions of commercial airlines. During his presentation at GCAS 2019, Jon Merritt, senior director of flight operations and technology at United Airlines, discussed what United is working on near-term and into the future regarding the use of in-flight internet by pilots.

Next year’s GCAS will take place in Denver, Colorado, from June 2-4! Sign up on the GCAS website to stay tuned for ticket and agenda information, coming soon.

Check out the latest podcast below:

#GCAPODCAST Ep. 10: Alaska Airlines Director of Fleet Technology Bret Peyton

Episode 10 of #GCAPodcast is here — and this time, we discuss the current and future use of high speed in-flight connectivity as well as NASA’s Traffic Aware Strategic Aircrew Requests (TASAR) and Traffic Aware Planner (TAP) technology by Alaska Airlines pilots with Bret Peyton, Director of Fleet Technology at Alaska Airlines.

Bret will be a panelist on the “Airlines Operations” panel at the 2019 Global Connected Aircraft Summit, along with representatives from Air Canada and United Airlines.

Listen below, or click here to download the episode from Apple Podcasts.

Check out the full agenda and register for the 2019 Global Connected Aircraft Summit at www.gcasummit.com, and remember — airlines can attend free of charge!

#GCAPODCAST Ep. 9: Airbus A³ Project Wayfinder Executive Arne Stoschek

Arne Stoschek is the Project Executive for Wayfinder at Airbus A³.

On this episode, we discuss artificial intelligence, machine learning and the exciting electric air taxi and urban air mobility projects being researched by one of the Artificial Intelligence panelists at the 2019 Global Connected Aircraft Summit, Arne Stoschek, Project Executive for Wayfinder at Airbus A³.

Check out the new episode in the link below, or get it from the iTunes store here.

If you enjoy the GCAS podcast, make sure to subscribe so you’ll be the first to get future episodes. And leave us a five-star review!