Technology, particularly Information and communication technology (ICT) has dramatically changed the way we live. The world has become a highly connected place like never before, all at the touch of a finger. And when on the move, technology has become an integral part of our lives.

Travel experts SITA in a study have found that a majority of passengers carry smart-phones, tablets or laptops when they fly and one in five travels with all three. We thus have a ‘connected traveller’. There are several companies which turn a business jet into a small screening room with a concert-quality sound system and integrate their system with the passengers’ entertainment devices, including video game consoles, smart phones and tablets. Welcome to the world of ‘touch and go’.

Over the course of 2012, the iPad and its apps became an important tool not only for General Aviation (GA) pilots but also for corporate and airline pilots. What started as a convenient way to view electronic charts evolved into a fully functional electronic flight bag, providing navigation, charts, performance data and flight manual all on one device. Not only is the iPad replacing the 50 pound chart cases that many professional pilots had to lug around, it has also simplified routine performance planning and the time-consuming task of updating charts and manuals.

Early Adopters

Business jets are early adopters and airlines are following them, keen on providing such high-end services to its passengers. SITA’s Jeanette See, Director of Marketing, Asia-Pacific, in an interview made a mention of the trials with Virgin Atlantic of wearable technology, including Google Glass and Sony SmartWatches. The trials allowed concierge staff to meet and greet VIP passengers with a personalised check-in service. But we are only at the beginning of a learning curve that could see wearable technology impacting other areas across the airport, as well as aircraft maintenance. Business jet operators will find such technologies very useful as the passengers are upscale and are seamlessly connected to their office and homes.

From the SITA/Air Transport World Passenger IT Trends Survey, Asians are coming out as the fastest-growing users of smart phones. Around 81 per cent of them carry a smart phone when they travel. The opportunity is here now.

Gulfstream’s Intuitive Apps

Gulfstream last year released its MyCMP app, a simple and intuitive mobile tool based on the company’s industry-leading MyCMP maintenance tracking programme. “The functionality and ease of use of the portal-based MyCMP released in 2013, provided our development team with the foundation for expanding MyCMP into the mobile environment,” said Bill Colleran, Director, Technical Information Services, Gulfstream. “We used the same customer-centric approach to the app as we did with MyCMP. We asked them what they wanted, and we built it.”

The app presents critical aircraft information, including aircraft status, current hours and landings, next maintenance due and open and closed system discrepancies. Users can also create maintenance projections, update flight log and enter maintenance discrepancies directly from the app. Contact information and e-mail links to the user’s assigned Gulfstream CMP analyst are also readily available. The app interfaces directly with MyCMP so that information is always current, regardless of what device is used to enter it.

Dassault Falcon, the World at Your Fingertips

Dassault Falcon recently launched a customer service app for mobile and tablet users that puts the global resources of the Falcon customer service network at users’ fingertips. The Falcon Customer Service app offers instant touch-call features for AOG Hotlines, the Technical Centre, Spares and Field Service as well as Service Centre location search and Falcon pilot contacts.

“This is a handy ‘go-to’ reference for our customers,” said Jacques Chauvet, Senior Vice President of Customer Service for Dassault Falcon. “Modelled after our Customer Services Guide, the information included in the app offers quick access for rapid solutions in any situation and provides a fairly comprehensive view of contacts for our worldwide organisation.”

The app was designed to be flexible and adaptive to operators’ needs. Once downloaded, most of the data is available whether the user is on or offline, so users don’t have to depend on cell tower signals or Internet service in order to retrieve data. The app is compatible with the iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets and will be updated on a regular basis. A later version will include geo-location features for Field Service coverage and contacts and will be compatible for use with Windows phones and tablets. Depending on users’ device settings, updates will be available automatically via a user alert. The app is available through iTunes for Apple iOS users and through Google Play for Android users.

The second-generation Flight Cabin Management System, supplied by Rockwell Collins, places more controls and convenience in the hands of passengers, so making the transition from the office to aircraft as seamless as possible. The system features a dual Blu-ray player that lets you view on-demand HD media on wide-screen, touch-screen monitors (up to 19”) placed to give an excellent view throughout the cabin. The Alto Aviation Sound System provides a true surround sound experience and all functions can be controlled from anywhere in the aircraft via an iPod Touch or iPhone. These include video playback, moving map, electronic window shades and adjustments to lights and temperature.

Embraer Offers Real-time Info

Embraer Executive Jets in 2012 created two new iPad apps – the eTechPubs and Customer Support and Services Guide—which provide customer convenience in accessing all technical and customer support information. The eTechPubs app can eliminate the need to carry the manuals in a 40-pound flight bag and offers, with a touch, real-time information at their fingertips at all times. It will also ease the workload of maintenance technicians. The information is updated wirelessly. Customers with a valid technical manual revision service can use the eTechPubs app to download all technical manuals to a single iPad for free. These are available on all its jets.

The eTechPubs app also works offline, without an Internet connection. Features include keyword search, ability to bookmark procedures under “favourites” as well as the ability to bookmark the most referenced pages. Features also include a history capability providing quicker navigation and links for easy communication with Embraer.

The Customer Support and Services Guide app expands customer access to Embraer Executive Jets’ worldwide customer service facilities and personnel. In addition to customer support contacts, service centre network and AOG services, the app is designed to provide information on training, Embraer service solutions and Embraer-related news in addition to upcoming events beyond the iPhone.

Bechcraft App for iOS & Android Customer

Beechcraft is continuing to strive to provide excellent customer service in the midst of everything going on right now. The app provides a means of accessing contact lists with instant access to phone and e-mail, locating the nearest authorised service centre, and obtaining AOG service.

Ned for Speed

Gulfstream’s G650ER business jet travels farther at higher speeds than any other business jet on the market. The G650ER travels near the speed of sound with a max speed of Mach 0.925. At Mach 0.85, it can carry passengers 13,890 kilometres and at Mach 0.90, 11,853 km. It connects more international cities and offers more nonstop destinations, from Hong Kong to New York and Los Angeles to Melbourne, Australia. Like its sister ship the G650, the G650ER offers the most state-of-the-art cabin amenities, performance-enhancing safety features and advanced avionics.

Bombardier

Bombardier is present in all three categories of business jets – light, medium and large—through its Learjet, Challenger and Global families. Global 6000’s range is 6,000 nm and has fast refuelling capability, additional windows, bigger luggage space and a better display system. Bombardier provides pilots with digital flight manuals and includes revision updates.

Business Aircraft Market Trends

Honeywell Aerospace has predicted that nearly 10,000 new business jets valued at $250 billion will be delivered in the period 2012-22 with a trend towards larger models expected to continue. Along with larger jets, there is growing trend for exceptionally high quality designs which are not only functional given the space, but also ultra modern. Top fashion designers are developing concepts for private jet interiors.

The global business jet market was valued at $20.9 billion in 2013 and is expected to reach $33.8 billion by the end of 2020, to grow at a CAGR of 6.86 per cent. In 2014, business jets showed a strong start with preowned sale transaction up 12.1 per cent, average asking price was down 10.4 per cent and they were taking 43 fewer days to sell. Business turboprop sale transactions decreased 16.1 per cent along with a double-digit decrease in asking price of 10.3 per cent.