Month: July 2021

Aeronautical safety solutions in 2021

As the world prepares to open up again for travel, we are dealing with a completely different security landscape, and fears of infection and for personal safety are paramount in many people’s minds.

 

That is why the airline industry is looking at new solutions for safety while deploying a range of security measures, including the use of anti-bombing devices and more widespread use of body temperature scanners.

 

We’ve put together an overview of the different types of scanners and what they offer in terms of safety screening initiatives.

 

Forehead scanners

 

The idea behind using a forehead scanner is that you can rapidly test a large number of people who are waiting in line at an airport to move through security and continue with their journey.

 

Using a forehead or temporal thermometer allows you to take a reading of the person’s temporal artery in their forehead using an infrared scanner. Forehead scanners are a practical solution that allows security staff to get an accurate reading and identify whether a passenger is running a temperature and could be infected.

 

Temperature kiosk

 

Another possible option is to install a temperature kiosk, which often delivers highly accurate results. Each person entering the kiosk will be scanned using a body temperature scanner that can also be adapted for facial recognition purposes.

 

This sort of device can also be used to measure someone’s temperature even while they are wearing a mask, helping to ensure hygiene and social distancing measures are followed.

 

Accuracy levels

 

Thermal imaging scanning technology is considered to be extremely accurate and a fever screening system can deliver temperature readings that are within an accuracy range of between 0.3°C and 0.5°C.

 

Body temperature screening devices are designed to operate within a wide range of conditions. A typical system is capable of delivering accurate readings while been used in an environment that can vary between -10°C and 55°C. This means that there are unlikely to be any conditions where you will not be able to obtain an accurate body temperature reading.

 

Anti-bombing technology

 

Another area to talk about when reviewing airport security is the development of anti-bombing technology as a viable alternative to using dogs.

 

Scanners, using ion mobility spectrometry, for instance, are capable of detecting minuscule traces of explosives, even when masked by other substances. A heater vaporizes a sample to ionize it, which allows the equipment to identify explosives by the size and shape of the ions. Results are normally available within about 5 seconds and the error rate is less than 1%.

 

These scanners are easy to use and any airport security personnel should be able to use the equipment. They also work 24/7, making them more reliable than trained explosive detection dogs.

 

Anti-bombing technology is rapidly evolving and is a valuable addition to the range of scanning options.

 

The science behind scanners

 

There is a part of your brain, known as the hypothalamus, which is designed to regulate your body temperature and deploy a response mechanism when it thinks you have a virus in your body.

 

The hypothalamus increases your body temperature to create a hostile environment for the virus and it is this response that allows a scanner to detect if you are infected. The scanner will take a reading that shows if your temperature is above normal.

 

The obvious advantage of using body temperature scanners is that they are a reliable method of identifying the early signs of infection, which is critical in an airport or any other busy public space.

 

Get in touch with us today to learn more about the latest aeronautical safety solutions.

Aviation recovery after the pandemic

The pandemic has taken its toll on many industries across the globe, but no industry has suffered quite as much as aviation. With borders closed, holidays cancelled and countries falling into lockdowns, the aviation industry has seen a sharp decline in business, with many large airlines having to close for good.

 

Now, the world is slowly emerging out of lockdown and travel is beginning to take place once again. To accommodate travel after the pandemic, the industry will have to make some changes, specifically towards health and safety measures, so that things can slowly get back to normal once again. This article will guide you through aviation recovery after the pandemic and the changes that you may notice when you fly once again.

 

Human body temperature scanners

 

One major symptom of COVID-19 is a high temperature (38°C or above), which is caused by the body fighting off infection or disease. To prevent the virus from being transmitted between countries via travel, human body temperature scanners are being introduced into airports across the country. These scanners can accurately measure a person’s body temperature in a matter of seconds and alert the individual if their temperature is too high.

 

If a person’s body temperature is not ‘normal’, they will not be allowed into the airport and will have to get tested for COVID-19. These scanners are a great way to quickly wipe out any risk of bringing COVID into an airport and work to stop the spread of the pandemic.

People counting systems and flow management

 

To ensure that social distancing measures can be followed, airports and planes must limit the number of people who are allowed in a building at one time. Counting each person who enters and exits a building manually is virtually impossible and will result in errors. Thankfully, innovative engineering solutions allow for accurate, AI-powered, people counting systems that can automatically keep track of the number of people who enter and exit a building in real-time.

 

People counting systems also contribute towards flow management, which is essential for keeping an airport crowd-free and COVID-safe. A good crowd flow will limit airport queues and minimise the amount of time that customers are stood close to one another.

 

Information display systems

 

As you make your way through an airport after COVID-19, you may notice an increased number of informational displays. These displays will usually show information regarding safety protocol and pandemic recovery. All passengers and staff must follow the guidance given by the displays to minimise the risk of transmitting COVID-19.

 

The information display systems that are being used in the aviation industry are sourced from accurate data and will regularly update themselves to keep in line with government guidance, as well as the airport’s own COVID-19 status. As you wait in the airport, keep an eye out for changes in information regarding COVID-19 and follow any guidance that is given.

 

The above are just a few examples of how the aviation industry is slowly recovering after the pandemic. To learn more about the engineering solutions that we offer, check out our website for more information.

Why is secure communication so important in airports?

Air travel has never been safer, but there are many risks involved with airport management and communication systems that need to be taken into account. There are a number of different ways to communicate at airports and other aviation sites, but most lack the security needed for safe operations.

 

Secure, reliable communication is essential to safe airport management. Airports use many different methods of communication, including radios and VCCS, to enable staff to communicate with one another and ground staff to communicate with air staff.

 

This article discusses how secure communication is important for airports and what measures airport management can take to improve airport communication security.

 

Why is strong communications security important?

 

Secure communication is key for airports because it ensures the safety of passengers and employees both on the ground and in the air. When airport communications are insecure, they are vulnerable to deliberate attacks as well as accidental interruptions – which could disrupt vital communications during take-off and landing.

 

Improving communications security also helps to reduce costs by avoiding expensive fixes when problems arise with an insecure system or investment in new technology that doesn’t provide enough protection against hackers or other unauthorized access. It’s always easier to protect against potential problems in advance than it is to deal with them as they occur.

 

What are the risks of insecure communication methods in airports?

 

There exists a myriad of security vulnerabilities that airport staff should be looking out for. Most airport communication is not encrypted. With this lack of security, unauthorized personnel and other entities can eavesdrop on messages to gather information about airline operations or monitor conversations between staff for insider trading purposes.

 

Insecure communications could also be hacked to disrupt power grids, or even lead to a terrorist attack by crashing planes into buildings if the airport uses automated takeoff systems that are connected wirelessly with the ground control center.

 

The risk of data theft is very high when it comes to insecure communication in airports, and hackers could easily find a way to manipulate the airport’s communication system and breach security.

 

What measures can airports take to reduce the risk of interference?

 

Airports should implement secure systems that can encrypt all communications. Airports should also regularly monitor their networks for any signs of cyber-attacks and keep track of what information is being accessed by the hackers. Codes can also be implemented so that listeners and the general public don’t understand what’s being communicated over radio systems; though, of course, all staff must receive proper training in all codes before this is carried out.

 

How Bayanat Engineering can help

 

At Bayanat Engineering, we specialise in creating technology solutions for airports, airlines, and air traffic offices. Our IT solutions include communications systems include UHF and VHF radios; airband, maritime, and TETRA solutions; VVCS; compliance and legal recorder systems, and more.

 

If you’re looking for experts in airport IT solutions and communications to design a communications system for your airport that is reliable, efficient, and secure, contact us at Bayanat Engineering today. Our communications experts will be happy to discuss our solutions and help you to create a unique communications landscape to keep your airport safe and functional day in, day out.

2021 trends for airport solutions

Airports have seen more changes in 2021 than in the past few decades, with the COVID-19 pandemic downing flights across the world. Travel restrictions and virus prevention methods have also become commonplace. However, as vaccination levels increase and international travel becomes viable again, there will be a huge demand for getaways, family trips and international holidays, so airports will need to be ready to let this happen safely.

 

Sustainable airport solutions

 

As consumers become more aware of the environmental impact of flying, airports, airlines and travel companies must show that they care and that they are doing what they can to reduce their negative impact. Whether it’s reducing waste, cutting emissions or offering recyclable cutlery in the food outlets, airports need to be more concerned about the environment than ever before.

 

Contactless payments and check-in

 

As we’ve seen throughout 2020, the use of cash has fallen in airports and retail spaces around the world. Contactless options are becoming essential in the time of COVID-19, and many outlets won’t accept cash. A number of airports, including Bangalore International Airport, have created an end to end contactless airport experience so customers feel safer and don’t have to touch any surfaces, which can also reduce waiting times too.

 

Vaccination visas?

 

Another more controversial trend in international travel in 2021 is the proposed use of digital health passports to confirm if a traveller has had a negative COVID test or is fully vaccinated. Though the necessity of a vaccine passport is unclear, there will definitely be a shift towards it, especially in countries still struggling to deal with the pandemic. This could, of course, lead to more checks during travelling, and it means smartphones and effective applications will be essential for the check-in process. It may also mean airport staff have to be more tech-savvy, with companies having to offer increased training to help with customers’ technical support issues.

 

COVID-19 safety measures

 

No airport in the world has been unaffected by COVID-19 and things are going to look very different for travellers when they return to the skies. As flights have been reduced, quarantine measures have been used and international travel bans have been introduced, airports have had to adapt quickly. Many airports now have COVID-19 test centres, as well as screens, sanitising facilities, social distancing measures and mask policies. Effective signage, virus prevention measures and increased cleaning should be in place as soon as possible.

 

Streamlining the airport experience

 

Like many of the airport trends in 2021, technological advances have transformed the way airports run. By reducing human contact during an airport experience, from biometric check-in to contactless payments and asking customers to bring their own devices, a more streamlined and efficient process has become prevalent. Other recent advances include biometric checks which can increase security, as well as temperature checks, which will be commonplace. However, because of streamlining, this hasn’t resulted in extra issues. These processes have required complex problem-solving and innovative solutions which will be vital for airports in 2021.

 

10 incredible facts about air navigation

Our mastery of the skies is no small feat, but there is incredible innovation behind every airplane that takes off. From understanding the physics that keeps 90,000 lbs of metal airborne to keeping passengers comfortable while 50,000 feet in the air, there are a lot of incredible things happening aboard a plane. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the amazing facts surrounding air navigation.

 

1. The world’s busiest airport is in Georgia, USA

 

It might not have the global recognition of Schiphol in Amsterdam or Heathrow in London, but Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, Georgia can claim to be the busiest airport in the world. With over 970,000 airplane movements per year, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport sees more passengers annually than any other airport.

 

2. There are around 20,000 airplanes in the sky right now

 

Air navigation is one of the most commonly used forms of transport in modern times, so it’s no surprise that there is quite a lot of air traffic in the sky. On any given day, there are around 20,000 planes actively operating in the sky.

 

3. Only 5% of the human population has been on an airplane

 

Although many developed nations use airplanes as a regular commodity, most of the developing world has never stepped foot on a plane. So, next time you’re sitting in a cramped airplane cabin, count yourself lucky.

 

4. Air travel is the safest method of transportation

 

Despite some of the bad press surrounding plane crashes, the statistics show that air travel is by far the safest form of transportation. In 2020, 137 people died as a result of airplane accidents, whereas more than 1.3 million people are estimated to die in car accidents per year.

 

5. Around 80% of us are afraid of flying

 

Although it is a common occurrence, the general population still has a fear of flying. Similar to a fear of heights, a fear of flying is a commonly held phobia. Although the risk of danger is very, very low, around 80% of us suffer from aerophobia.

 

6. Airplanes travel at about 550 mph

 

It may seem like you are cruising at a nice, calm speed while flying, but you’re actually zooming along at 550 mph on average. When flying above the clouds, there is no visual marker to help us know how fast we are going, so it seems slower.

 

7. Flights are around 35,000 feet in the air

 

Flights normally break through the cloud line and level out at about 35,000 feet – or seven miles or so.

 

8. Pilots and co-pilots get different food

 

Airplane pilots are usually obligated to eat the same multi-course meal found in first-class, whereas co-pilots are given different food items. This is to help safeguard against possible food poisoning.

 

9. Round airplane windows are essential

 

Airplane windows used to be square until engineers realized that the square shape compromised the safety of the aircraft by being unable to withstand air pressure. Circular windows can handle much more pressure, so they are standard on all airplanes today.

 

10. Global air navigation only accounts for 2% of global CO2 emissions

 

It may seem like airplanes’ guzzle fuel, but they are actually a very fuel-efficient and eco-friendly method of transportation.