After obtaining EASA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Bombardier Q400 and the Airbus A320 Family, GKN Fokker Services is extending its ADS-B Out programme to other aircraft types. These include the Boeing 737 Classic, 747, 757 and 767 as well as the Bombardier Dash 8 Classic. GKN Fokker Services will also apply for STCs from the FAA and other airworthiness authorities

Product manager, ADS-B Out, GKN Fokker Services states, Erik Lous commented, “We are once again pleased with our new STC for ADS-B Out, this time for the Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. Our ADS-B Out modification will allow our customers to modify their aircraft very cost-effectively and with a minimum of downtime, typically during just one or two overnight checks. Furthermore, with our STC, the customer has the option to replace the existing transponders with transponders from different vendors.”

Aviation and Travel & Tourism are two important components of the increasingly globalised world economy. While the travel and tourism sector accounted for around 9.6 per cent of the country’s GDP in 2016, India is also expected to become the third largest aviation market in the world by 2020. Technology, in general, has acted as an enabler for both these industries and improved operational on-ground efficiencies up to a great extent in recent times.

Highlighting the cross-sectional perspectives from the Aviation, Tourism, and IT & Technology sectors of the nation, a one-of-its-kind conference, ICONIC 2018, was held recently at Hotel Le Meridian, New Delhi. The forum was hosted and curated by Red Hat Communications, a company specialised in high-level events and networking across multiple segments.

Chairman, Indian Railway Board, Ashwani Lohani who was present as the Guest of Honour, mentioned that the Indian Railways is investing hugely in “technology for passenger security and convenience” by introducing new-age automatic door closers, fire sensors, entertainment systems inside trains, smart card ticketing, etc. “While the ‘personal touch’ cannot be ushered by technology, it can be used as a tool for passengers to enhance their experience,” added Lohani.