Knowledge Base

The recent cases of airline crashes and mishaps have reiterated the importance of airline flight tracking. We explore some of the real-time flight tracking techniques which play a critical role in monitoring aircraft location and safety.

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Carriers Won't be Allowed to Use Busiest U.S. Airports or Fly Most Congested Routes Without GPS Equipment Under New FAA Rules. The Obama administration gave airlines and other aircraft owners the go-ahead to begin installing the equipment necessary to switch to a GPS-based air traffic control system.

Source: Associated Press

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The goal for UAV introduction into the commercial airspace is an equivalent level of safety, including collision avoidance for UAV operation, when compared to piloted aircraft. Of the remaining regulatory and technological issues, the goal is the certification of a system of technology, feedback, analysis and control, which reduces the risk of an air to air collision, to the same level of risk currently enjoyed for manned flight, is of paramount interest and importance.

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A transponder is an electronic device used to wirelessly receive and transmit electrical signals. Fittingly, its name is equally derived from the words "transmitter" and "responder". Transponders were originally developed to be attached to objects which needed to be located, and are still used in this manner today.

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Essential to improving traffic and incident management is the ability to transmit and provide timely information on the highways or other transportation modes, and the transmission of this information to the appropriate decision maker. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), equipped with video cameras and/or other sensors, are a viable method to support decisions regarding major traffic incidents and natural disasters, and also in providing an improved security and safety for the public.

Source: "Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Traffic Surveillance and Traffic Management" Technical Memorandum for Florida Department of Transportation by PB Farradyne

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The US has always been at the forefront of developing civilian application for military technology. This article looks at how some US police forces have used UAVs, and the limitation they have found.

Source: "Domestic use of aerial drones by law enforcement likely to prompt privacy debate."  Washington Post

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The application and use of unmanned aerial systems within the military environment has grown exponentially over the past ten years. Alan Corner and Philip Church of Helios discuss the reasons for the slow take-off of commercial UAS highlighting the barriers that need to be overcome.

Source: Commercial UAS - Barriers to Take-Off, Navifation News, rin.org.uk pages 8,9

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UAVs are revolutionising security in offering approaches that are much more effective both from a capabilities and cost point of view. UAVs maximise capabilities of present personnel, reduce the risks for them and is cheaper than any other manned solution. This article is based around UAVs helping to protect merchant vessels from Pirate attacks.

Source: Article by Robert Wright, of The Financial Times shown on The Sentinel on 5th August 2009

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AeroVironment’s Global Observer GO-1 long-endurance unmanned air vehicle has flown for the first time powered by a hydrogen-fueled propulsion system. The all-composite, 175-ft.-wingspan vehicle climbed to 5,000 ft. above sea level over Edwards AFB, Calif., driven by four propellers and flew for 4 hr.

Source: 'First Hydrogen-Fueled Global Observer Flight' by Guy Norris shown Aviation Week, on 12 January 2011

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The purpose of this article is to help you understand how GIS based situational awareness systems are an essential capability for homeland security, emergency and public safety missions. This article will look at understanding Situational Awareness, give its benegits and the implications of GIS based systems over traditional mechanisms.

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