Welcome to Aerospace Tech Week Americas being held in Atlanta, Georgia on November 8-9. We are delighted to present a great slate of speakers in the conference and welcome exhibitors from around the world that offer their experience and expertise in making aviation operations run better, faster, more smoothly and efficiently as well as greener, utilizing the most advanced technology in the industry.
In this publication, we cover the same topics in each issue that are included in the event. And while some may seem unrelated to the others, the fact is that all the areas are related, even intertwined, in the operation of aircraft. Those topics include, but aren’t limited to, aircraft avionics, connectivity (air-to-ground and nose-to-tail), IoT, big data, airline e-Enablement, flight operations software, fuel efficiency, weather data, MRO software, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, machine to machine (M2M), regulatory, policy, technical SES, next-generation challenges, plus the testing of systems that are used in the design, construction and maintenance of all commercial and military aircraft (both hardware and software).
In this issue of the magazine you will find not only the regularly scheduled content but also the Aerospace Tech Review Show Guide. This is a “flip book” – simply flip it over to see the show guide.
We have a tremendous line up of subject matter experts, leaders and speakers who bring decades of experience and targeted knowledge they will share with us. What trends are they seeing? What new products are they offering? What services exist that can help your business thrive and grow?
After the past couple of years of lockdown, conservative travel and isolation, it is time to get out there and see. We are so pleased to be able to bring you these experts, topics and information. There is nothing like being together, in person, to network and learn. I look forward to those serendipitous moments of meeting someone for the first time and learning something remarkable I never would have known if I hadn’t been there, in the moment, to experience it myself. Enjoy the conference and exhibition and please join us in Munich, Germany in March for Aerospace Tech Week Europe.
This issue’s regular content is chock full of interesting information. We have many noteworthy stories and I want to take a moment to highlight a few of them.
On the cover we have our story on what turned out to be a rocky start to 5G implementation in the U. S. Europe seemed to have no problems, but even before the rollout began in the U. S., things ground to a halt, in spite of industry warnings from FCC and FAA. What happened and where do things stand now? Amy Freed Stalzer gives an update on the situation and some market offerings that can help.
In our avionics-focused story we take a look at embedded systems. These are vital to complex aircraft systems as they become more sophisticated and data-driven. We asked experts at TTTech, Rapita and CoreAVI for updates on the latest developments. The embedded systems update starts on page 12.
Who could imagine flight document management as a sexy topic? I guess I find anything related to flight ops sexy – but this story on how flight operations documentation and manuals can be safely and securely uploaded, stored and shared to EFB devices for pilots and aircraft operators, is just that. Read more about it starting on page 32.
A few years back we started to hear about drone use in MRO. It certainly looked to have great potential. Has that potential panned out? Jim McKenna takes a look to see how drones, in concert with other new technologies, are benefitting the MRO environment. Read it on page 26.
Next, we examine spaceports. The commercial space market is literally skyrocketing. The demand for launches increases regularly. That means more launch facilities are needed. What does it take to become a launch facility? Who regulates them? Where are some up and coming spaceports? Jeff Guzzetti answers all in his amazing article on what it takes to become a spaceport.
Environmental systems in aircraft are one of those hidden and rarely thought about systems. The pandemic (and climate change) changed that. Environmental systems have been scrutinized and discussed on the evening news, the National Institute of Health in the U. S. has a whole section of their website devoted to them and consumers — eager to fly — researched whether or not airborne disease would be whisked out of the cabin as promised. Mario Pierobon went to the manufacturers of these systems and the OEMs to learn about the advances being made in these high power consumption systems.
The supply chain continues to struggle along. Are we stuck with a broken system that never changes? What can improve it? Check out the column by Kevin Krot and Chris Brumitt from supply chain and operations consulting firm SGS Maine Pointe, starting on page 52, for answers.
Last, I want to mention a great podcast I listened to recently that brings together two areas so many of us love – football (soccer) and aviation. The podcast, called “Transfer,” was produced by the BBC and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.
The story is compelling and heartbreaking. An up and coming young player, Emiliano Sala, had finally made it and was being transferred (traded) to a larger, more important club for millions. He had many loose ends to tie up in France before settling in his new team’s city, Cardiff, Wales. He was offered a quick flight back and forth across the English Channel in a Piper Malibu to help him quickly wrap up his business and return. Against his inner voice warning him, he accepted. The rest is history. He and the pilot went down on a poor weather night, over the channel. The podcast reveals many of the reasons why and cautions that those reasons have not been fully addressed in Europe. I highly recommend it.