Spirit Airlines selects Exelis aircraft surveillance solution for fleet tracking, real-time operational decision-making
HERNDON, Va., 4 March 2014. Spirit Airlines officials have selected the Exelis (NYSE:XLS) Symphony OpsVue aircraft surveillance solution to track its aircraft fleet visually while on the ground.
Symphony OpsVue is designed to provide an accurate and reliable flight tracking network of aircraft surveillance data on a single Web-based display.
Spirit Airlines’ aircraft fleet is equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponders. ADS-B equipage enables operations personnel to receive aircraft position reports every five seconds in the terminal airspace area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule to require installation of ADS-B “Out” equipment by 2020.
With Symphony OpsVue, Spirit can monitor its aircraft on the airport surface in the taxiway, ramp, or gate at any of its primary and diversion airports with a single application. The solution also enables airlines to manage tarmac delay requirements, which require contingency plans, including passenger provisions and deplaning, for lengthy tarmac delays. Benefits of the Symphony OpsVue solution include improved safety through enhanced situational awareness and operational efficiency of the fleet, as well as a better overall passenger experience through reduced delays.
“The Exelis solution will allow us to effectively manage tarmac delay requirements, improve diversion management and provide critical decision-support information during both routine and irregular operations,” says Jyri Strandman, vice president of flight operations for Spirit Airlines. “Using this information will enable us to better monitor surface movement of our aircraft to meet our mission of providing safe, ultra-low cost and efficient air transportation.”
Symphony OpsVue uses several surveillance sources to provide a comprehensive network of flight data, including the Exelis ADS-B data feed.
Exelis is deploying the FAA’s ADS-B surveillance system nationwide. The data feed from that system integrates the FAA’s terminal radar, en route radar, and all surface tracking systems to create a comprehensive critical network of surveillance sources.
Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace
Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.
