Connected Aviation Intelligence Podcast

In our latest podcast episode, Kurt Doppelbauer, Vice President of Strategic Sales and Business Development for TTTech’s aerospace business (TTTech Aerospace), discusses the company's solutions for networking and computing platforms for onboard systems in the aerospace industry, deterministic networking solutions, safety and security, and future, more autonomous applications.

On this episode of the Connected Aviation Intelligence Podcast, Craig Foster, co-founder of Valour Consultancy, is the guest to discuss their new report, "The Market for IFEC and CMS Systems on VVIP and Business Aircraft – 2022." The report estimates non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) based systems (excluding those with legacy Iridium satellite phones) accounting for about 14% of the IFC terminal installed base by 2031. “Since the last iteration of this report was published in 2020, SpaceX and OneWeb have made huge strides with the former signing up its first business aviation client for Starlink and the latter securing two industry heavyweights as distribution partners in Gogo and Satcom Direct," Foster says. Have suggestions or topics we should focus on in the next episode? Email the host, Woodrow Bellamy, at wbellamy@accessintel.com, or drop him a line on Twitter @WbellamyIIIAC. Check out our publication Avionics International @AvionicsGlobal + www.aviationtoday.com. Join our Avionics International LinkedIn group to suggest topics we should cover in our podcast, publications and events. www.linkedin.com/AvionicsMag

On this episode of the Connected Aviation Intelligence Podcast, Shift5 Chief Growth Officer and co-founder Michael Weigand is the guest. Shift5 is a cybersecurity company that focuses on protecting transportation and military infrastructure and assets from cyberattacks. The company was co-founded in 2018 by Weigand and Josh Lospinoso, a former US Cyber Army Officer who previously founded RedOwl Analytics, which was acquired by Raytheon/Forcepoint in 2018. Weigand is responsible for executing Shift5’s long-term growth objectives. Prior to Shift5, Michael served eight years in the US Army as an Airborne, Ranger qualified, Infantry officer and was selected as one of the first Cyber operations officers. He discusses some of the challenges faced by companies developing new aircraft electronics software and systems which has typically lagged behind advancements in other markets and industry verticals. Have suggestions or topics we should focus on in the next episode? Email the host, Woodrow Bellamy, at wbellamy@accessintel.com, or drop him a line on Twitter @WbellamyIIIAC. Check out our publication Avionics International @AvionicsGlobal + www.aviationtoday.com. Join our Avionics International LinkedIn group to suggest topics we should cover in our podcast, publications and events. www.linkedin.com/AvionicsMag

On this episode of the Connected Aviation Intelligence Podcast, Job Heimerikx, CEO and co-founder of AirFi, joins to discuss commercial airline wireless in-flight entertainment and connectivity trends. AirFi a global supplier of wireless in-flight entertainment and connectivity technologies, headquartered in the Netherlands. Their technology is rather unique in the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market because of its size and what it can enable for airlines in terms of in-flight movies, ordering meals and payment validation among other applications. Some of their airline customers include Sun Country, Eastern Airlines, Corendon Dutch Airlines and Atlantic Airways among others. We discuss the unique size of their wireless IFEC solution, how they've added Iridium connectivity to their technology and why they're still finding that the type of low bandwidth non-streaming connectivity they're providing is still popular with airlines in 2022. Have suggestions or topics we should focus on in the next episode? Email the host, Woodrow Bellamy, at wbellamy@accessintel.com, or drop him a line on Twitter @WbellamyIIIAC. Check out our publication Avionics International @AvionicsGlobal + www.aviationtoday.com. Join our Avionics International LinkedIn group to suggest topics we should cover in our podcast, publications and events. www.linkedin.com/AvionicsMag

On this episode of the Connected Aviation Intelligence Podcast, executives from OneWeb, SpaceX and Telesat discuss the future of Low Earth Orbit (LEO)-powered in-flight connectivity for commercial airlines and business jet operators during an hour-long session at the 2022 Connected Aviation Intelligence Summit. Would LEO satellite networks be capable of providing connectivity to every airborne aircraft in U.S. airspace simultaneously at any given time in the future? Will more airlines be receptive to SpaceX's direct-to-airline LEO IFC equipment and service business model? What type of connection speeds, improvements in latency can LEO provide for connected in-flight passenger sessions? Will LEO satellites provide connectivity to airlines that fly polar routes? During this exciting session recorded live during the Connected Aviation Intelligence Summit last month, the following executives answer the above listed questions and more: Jonathan Hofeller, VP, Starlink Commercial Sales, SpaceX Philippe Scherlet, VP, Aviation, Telesat Jason Sperry, Market Development Director, Business Aviation, OneWeb Have suggestions or topics we should focus on in the next episode? Email the host, Woodrow Bellamy, at wbellamy@accessintel.com, or drop him a line on Twitter @WbellamyIIIAC. Check out our publication Avionics International @AvionicsGlobal + www.aviationtoday.com. Join our Avionics International LinkedIn group to suggest topics we should cover in our podcast, publications and events. www.linkedin.com/AvionicsMag

Michael Weigand is the chief growth officer of Shift5 Inc., a startup firm providing cybersecurity services across commercial and military segments of aviation, rail and other forms of transportation. Weigand is a former U.S. Army cyber officer who co-founded Shift5 in 2019. During his live presentation given at the 2022 Connected Aviation Intelligence Summit, Weigand gives an in-depth technical overview of how connected aircraft systems work, why they’re vulnerable how airlines can develop an Aircraft Network Security Program. The FAA first established its Aircraft Network Security Program in 2015 as an Advisory Circular for airlines that operate aircraft featuring connectivity. Weigand goes well beyond explaining how airlines can develop an ANSP into giving a detailed explanation as to how specific aircraft computers and data bus networks function, and why he believes there is no such thing as an “un-connected” aircraft for airlines anymore even with those that do not specifically feature passenger-facing connectivity onboard. Below is an interesting observation given by Weigand during the presentation: “I want to suggest that the industry not focus on the infotainment and passenger connectivity systems as the primary cyber threat to the aircraft. Candidly, from a security professional’s perspective I don’t care that the passengers don’t have Wi-Fi, because that system was degraded by a malicious actor. We care about flight safety first and foremost, it’s really the flight deck, it’s the green side of the aircraft that the conversation needs to be focused on, and I think previous security research done initially by the hacking and academia community has kind of mislead the industry to talk about what’s going on in the cabin and not in the flight deck.” Have suggestions or topics we should focus on in the next episode? Email the host, Woodrow Bellamy, at wbellamy@accessintel.com, or drop him a line on Twitter @WbellamyIIIAC. Check out our publication Avionics International @AvionicsGlobal + www.aviationtoday.com. Join our Avionics International LinkedIn group to suggest topics we should cover in our podcast, publications and events. www.linkedin.com/AvionicsMag

On this episode of the Connected Aviation Intelligence Podcast, Jon Merritt, VSL Flight Deck and Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Applications, Collins Aerospace, joins to explain how the use of EFBs are evolving for airline pilots. On June 1, Collins launched its new FlightHub Electronic Flight Folder with access to new fuel savings application. Merritt, who is the former director of flight operations technology for United Airlines, discusses the importance of establishing a strategy when it comes to the adoption and operation of new EFB apps. This episode is sponsored by Collins Aerospace. Learn more about how Collins Aerospace can enable Flight Profile Optimization for Airlines by clicking here. Download the Collins Aerospace Flight Hub Data Sheet by clicking here.

When Waltzing Matilda Aviation (WMA)—the Boston-based FAA Part 135 charter operator—first launched its new Toronto-based Connect Airlines last year, the company’s CEO described his observation of the pandemic as driving airlines to become “lean, agile and digital-first.” On this episode, Connect Airlines Chief Operating Officer Dave Marcontell provides a status update on how the Q400 operator is preparing to launch passenger-carrying operations. The COO also discusses how they’re continuing that commitment to becoming digital-first by investing in a new QR code-based asset records management system, his vision for becoming a paperless operation and whether they will feature in-flight Wi-Fi on their fleet of Q400s. CHECK OUT THE LATEST UPDATES ABOUT OUR 2022 CONNECTED AVIATION INTELLIGENCE SUMMIT, HAPPENING LIVE IN-PERSON, JUNE 1-3, 2022: https://www.gcasummit.com/ Have suggestions or topics we should focus on in the next episode? Email the host, Woodrow Bellamy, at wbellamy@accessintel.com, or drop him a line on Twitter @WbellamyIIIAC. Check out our publication Avionics International @AvionicsGlobal + www.aviationtoday.com. Join our Avionics International LinkedIn group to suggest topics we should cover in our podcast, publications and events. www.linkedin.com/AvionicsMag

On this episode of the Connected Aviation Intelligence Podcast, we’re joined by the new regional director for U.S. operations of Ethiopian Airlines, Samson Arega. After a three-year stint as the country manager of Ethiopian Airlines’ Canadian office, Arega transitioned to his new position as the leader of U.S. operations for Ethiopian earlier this year. Arega provides some perspective on how Ethiopian’s air cargo operations continue to grow, how the airline never fired any of its employees throughout the entirety of the pandemic and some perspective on the airline’s in-flight Wi-Fi and other new technologies it is using. CHECK OUT THE LATEST UPDATES ABOUT OUR 2022 CONNECTED AVIATION INTELLIGENCE SUMMIT, HAPPENING LIVE IN-PERSON, JUNE 1-3, 2022: https://www.gcasummit.com/ Have suggestions or topics we should focus on in the next episode? Email the host, Woodrow Bellamy, at wbellamy@accessintel.com, or drop him a line on Twitter @WbellamyIIIAC. Check out our publication Avionics International @AvionicsGlobal + www.aviationtoday.com. Join our Avionics International LinkedIn group to suggest topics we should cover in our podcast, publications and events. www.linkedin.com/AvionicsMag

On this episode of the Connected Aviation Intelligence Podcast, PLAY CEO Birgir Jónsson explains how his team plans to use a no-frills approach to operating a growing fleet of A321neo family aircraft, and whether he would ever consider adding in-flight connectivity (IFC) to the all-economy cabins. Jónsson and a team of fellow former colleagues of Wow Air, the Icelandic low-cost carrier that ceased operations, first established PLAY in 2019. According to Jónsson, several of PLAY’s current executives were working on a new operational structure and air operator’s certificate (AOC) right before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic with the support of some investors they were able to secure. CHECK OUT THE LATEST UPDATES ABOUT OUR 2022 CONNECTED AVIATION INTELLIGENCE SUMMIT, HAPPENING LIVE IN-PERSON, JUNE 1-3, 2022: https://www.gcasummit.com/ Have suggestions or topics we should focus on in the next episode? Email the host, Woodrow Bellamy, at wbellamy@accessintel.com, or drop him a line on Twitter @WbellamyIIIAC. Check out our publication Avionics International @AvionicsGlobal + www.aviationtoday.com. Join our Avionics International LinkedIn group to suggest topics we should cover in our podcast, publications and events. www.linkedin.com/AvionicsMag

On this episode of the Connected Aviation Intelligence Podcast, Vance Hilderman, CEO of Afuzion, discusses advances in aircraft technologies and some aviation engineering trends for 2022. Hilderman is founder and CEO the CEO of Afuzion, and has also served as the CTO of several companies, he is a world-renowned aviation safety critical technology development and certification author, speaker and industry influencer. He joins this episode to give some insights on how commercial aircraft technologies are advancing and a reality check on the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning in aviation. We also discuss the future of aviation engineering jobs and why, despite the impact of COVID, the aviation industry has a growing need for engineers across multiple disciplines. Have suggestions or topics we should focus on in the next episode? Email the host, Woodrow Bellamy, at wbellamy@accessintel.com, or drop him a line on Twitter @WbellamyIIIAC. Also, check out the agenda for the 2022 Connected Aviation Intelligence Summit just posted to our event website! Check out our publication Avionics International @AvionicsGlobal + www.aviationtoday.com. Join our Avionics International LinkedIn group to suggest topics we should cover in our podcast, publications and events. www.linkedin.com/AvionicsMag

On this episode of the Connected Aviation Intelligence Podcast, we feature a sponsored interview with Intelsat. John Wade, president of the commercial aviation division of Intelsat, joins the episode to explain how the company's introduction of software-defined satellites will revolutionize in-flight connectivity (IFC). Intelsat signed a contract with Airbus to build two OneSat satellites operating in multiple frequency bands that will power their next-generation software-defined network earlier this year. John talks about how that technology will improve in-flight connectivity performance and also gives a status update on Intelsat's current install base in terms of connected commercial aviation aircraft. Learn more about how Intelsat is shaping the future of connected air travel by clicking here. Have suggestions or topics we should focus on in the next episode? Email the host, Woodrow Bellamy at wbellamy@accessintel.com, or drop him a line on Twitter @WbellamyIIIAC. Check out our publication Avionics International @AvionicsGlobal + www.aviationtoday.com. Join our Avionics International LinkedIn group to suggest topics we should cover in our podcast, publications and events. www.linkedin.com/AvionicsMag

On this episode of the Connected Aviation Intelligence Podcast, we feature a discussion with Xavier Lansel, senior consultant for Euroconsult. Xavier joins the episode to discuss some of the details featured in their recently published ninth edition of their annual in-flight connectivity market report, that provides a comprehensive analysis of the market’s global trends and forecasts for the next decade, in terms of connectivity provided to onboard passengers. FREE registration for to watch our recent Connected Aviation Intelligence webcast on-demand featuring Valour, Iridium, SmartSky Networks and Satcom Direct that was broadcast on Thursday Sept. 30: https://www.gcasummit.com/aviation-intelligence/ Have suggestions or topics we should focus on in the next episode? Email the host, Woodrow Bellamy at wbellamy@accessintel.com, or drop him a line on Twitter @WbellamyIIIAC. Check out our publication Avionics International @AvionicsGlobal + www.aviationtoday.com. Join our Avionics International LinkedIn group to suggest topics we should cover in our podcast, publications and events. www.linkedin.com/AvionicsMag