AD Aerospace and AEI to Supply CabinVu-123 System
Comair Limited, British Airways’ franchise partner in South Africa, has selected AD Aerospace’s CabinVu-123 Cockpit Door Monitoring System to enhance in-flight security on its fleet of B737 aircraft. The system improves security by increasing the situational awareness of the pilots by providing them with a clear and unrestricted view of any activity in the area outside the cockpit door and in the adjacent galleys.
AD Aerospace of Manchester, UK and Aircraft Engineering & Installation Services Inc. (AEI) of Orlando, Florida, USA are providing the video security system and installation design respectively. CabinVu-123 offers various advantages over earlier systems such as a reduction in the number of LRU’s (line replaceable units) producing a lower weight and lower installation and ownership costs. The relocation of various components has also reduced the time taken for installation and maintenance.
“Here at Comair we recognize our customers need to feel and be safe while flying with us. That is why their security and the safety of our crew is a top priority and something that we take very seriously” said Erik Venter, Joint CEO of Comair Limited. “The CabinVu-123 cockpit door monitoring system helps our pilots by increasing their security and that of the entire aircraft along with the existing safety and security procedures we have in place.”
Having a clear view of the area outside the cockpit means that the pilots can visually identify anyone requesting entry and take appropriate action should an incident arise. This is in line with recommendations from International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO Annex 13.2.3b.
“We at AD Aerospace are very pleased to have been selected by such a dynamic and exciting airline as Comair, to provide cockpit door monitoring systems for its B737 fleet. We also welcome them as our first African customer,” said Mike Horne, Managing Director, AD Aerospace. “We are sure that the CabinVu-123 system will be beneficial to Comair’s pilots and aid them in providing high levels of safety and security for their passengers and crew.”
Security measures are being progressively improved and increased throughout the worldwide airline industry in recognition of the potential risks arising from terrorism and air rage. Although intrusion resistant cockpit doors have made pilots and the airlines safer, it has also isolated pilots leaving them unaware of what is happening in the cabin. This is where Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) comes into use.
The FlightVu CDMS consists of two or three CCTV cameras linked to a LCD monitor or monitors strategically mounted forward of the pilots positions. The system provides the flight crew with clear, forward viewing, real-time video of the area outside the cockpit door.
The CCTV cameras are flush mounted, in low-profile housings colour coordinated to the aircraft interior, outside the secure cabin door and in the galley area. Infrared illuminators are integrated within the camera housing to allow the area to be viewed even with the cabin lights extinguished and to counteract back lighting effects.
FlightVu equipment has been or is being installed on aircraft for, Orient Thai, Air Seychelles, bmi, British Airways, JetBlue, Thomsonfly, Air Asia, Corsair, easyJet, Hainan, Germania, Hapagfly, TUIfly Nordic, Sama and MyTravel amongst others.
