In an interview at Aerospace Tech Week, Joel Klooster, Senior Vice President, Aircraft Operations & Safety, Viasat shared his insights on the future of air traffic management (ATM) and the critical role of connectivity in delivering airspace modernisation.
With the number of aircraft in operation set to double between 2022 and 2042, the industry must take action to ensure the already congested airspace can support this scale up.
Klooster described Iris as “the first step in the future of ATM.” Iris is Viasat’s ground-breaking satellite-based data link technology that optimises airspace, easing congestion and reducing delays for airlines. During the interview, Klooster discussed the significance of Iris for efficiently managing flights and providing secure communications and connectivity.
As congestion on existing communication networks increases, the need for an enhanced connectivity solution is evident. Klooster explains that without it, the industry will not be able to support the projected increase in flight volumes.
For all this and Klooster’s predictions for the future, watch the five-minute interview below.
Questions include:
As we look to the future, how do you see the global industry improving as result of the long-term benefits of Iris?
Would you argue cockpit connectivity is key to delivering airspace modernisation cross the industry? And why?
How do you think the connectivity landscape will change in the next year or two? And how does this contrast with how you see it developing over the next decade?
From 2025, Heathrow will use digital twin technology developed by NATS to tackle emissions at the airport. The Demand Capacity Balancer (DCB), ‘digital twin’ already predicts and models operational performance in near real-time at the airport but will soon be used to reduce CO2 emissions.
The DCB is a predictive decision-making tool developed by NATS and Frequentis Orthogon that accurately forecasts demand, capacity, and performance metrics from the day of operations and up to six months in advance.
Rolling out a new series of environmental performance-based features, NATS is supporting Heathrow in understanding the most efficient operating plan to reduce emissions. The press release revealed this these improvements would reduce airborne holding and fuel burn and could result in CO2 savings up to 30,000 tonnes a year.
Kelly Stone, Head of Airport Operations, Heathrow said:
“It is fantastic to see the DCBs use extended to environmental performance. Small incremental steps like this are vital to reduce ‘in the air’ emissions to reach Heathrow’s goal of net zero by 2050. I am grateful for NATS’ ongoing commitment in bringing world first technology to Heathrow helping us be an extraordinary airport, fit for the future.”
Guy Adams, Managing Director of NATS Services, said:
“DCB is a proven success at Heathrow, helping save several millions of pounds a year by reducing delay, so it makes perfect sense to harness that same analytical technology to include environmental performance. No other airport in the world has this capability, and NATS is proud to be supporting Heathrow’s ambition.”
“In our reality today, the human is the inefficient side of the process. We make mistakes and have emotions, but artificial intelligence (AI) helps take these away.”
At Aerospace Tech Week, Frank Stevens, VP MRO Services, Embraer joined to discuss how AI, augmented reality (AR), and predictive maintenance are transforming aircraft maintenance. From opening up new learning opportunities to reducing errors and enhancing efficiency, the digitalisation of the industry is changing the game for MRO services.
During this 5-minute interview, Stevens explains how leveraging AR, AI, and predictive maintenance correctly can take human inefficiency out of the process, removing emotion from data interrogation and relieving the industry of “analysis paralysis.” The benefits of effectively using these tech-based tools are countless from enhancing safety to financial efficiency. However, with the industry navigating these emerging technologies, the optimal balance between human and tech is unclear for now.
Watch the full interview now.
Questions:
How are AI, data, and extended reality already revolutionising aircraft maintenance practices, and how do you foresee this developing in the next five years?
Can you outline some of the potential challenges with integrating predictive maintenance and how are you addressing these?
We know the digitisation of these processes can improve operational efficiency etc. What are some of the lesser-known benefits to unlock?
Aerospace Tech Week Americas, 19-20 November will be gathering MRO IT experts from across the industry looking at the possibilities in predictive maintenance, modernising TechOps processes, technical roadmaps and much more. With speakers from United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Boeing, and others, book your free pass to attend now!
This week, The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published a press release sharing details of its support for the scale up of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through the EU SAF Clearing House.
The initiative will facilitate the deployment and approval of SAF, stating its mission as “remov[ing] as many barriers as possible to support the EU & International deployment of SAFs as well as the approval of new SAF pathways.”
Acknowledging the key role SAF will play in the industry’s decarbonisation, this “one-stop-shop” offers a centralised support system for fuel producers and original equipment manufacturers, giving assistance with the ASTM D4054 standard evaluation process. The Screening House will offer pre-screening, technical advice and testing support, provide testing capabilities, give advice on sustainability and likelihood of meeting market entry requirements, and facilitate international coordination.
Maria Rueda, Strategy & Safety Management Director, EASA said:
“The demand for SAF will grow ever more to meet the goals set in the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation and increasingly reduce the emissions from aviation. Via the EU SAF Clearing House, EASA wants to ensure that the fuel industry gets the support needed to succeed in developing SAF for aviation, so that their innovation efforts are not in vain and more SAF is brought to the market.”
This project is funded by the European Union and managed by EASA.
In March, IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh joined for a 5-minute conversation touching on the alarming disparity between the US and European levels of SAF production, and the role governments must play in stimulating its scale up. In particular, Walsh condemned fuel suppliers saying:
“Traditional fuel suppliers who have made hundreds of billions in profit off the industry over the years need to significantly accelerate their investment in the production of SAF […] They’re part of the problem, they’ve got to be part of the solution.”
At Aerospace Tech Week Europe, Stephen Snyder, Managing Director, JetBlue Ventures joined for a five-minute discussion into the current innovation landscape. Snyder described the space as dynamic, with capital readily available and continued excitement around artificial intelligence (AI). Highlighting the technology’s current position in the trough of disillusionment, Snyder explained why this is an exciting point in the hype cycle for an investor, where applications shift from theoretical to practical and investors can advocate for their future.
Looking ahead, Snyder predicted sustainability-based technologies will be dominating the market 5-10 years into the future, with eVTOL aircraft, hydrogen propulsion, and hybrid electric tech poised to support the industry’s transition to net zero.
Discussing innovation in this safety critical sector, Snyder reiterated that while there is no margin for error, “we also cannot stall when it comes to innovation.” He urged that we must shift the mindset around safety and innovation from “either, or” to “both, and.”
Watch the full interview now.
Questions asked include:
How would you characterise the current innovation landscape with regards to Aerospace?
If we think 5-10 years into the future, what technologies will still be dominating the market?
How do you strike a balance between the importance of safety & security and the need for innovation?
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