Dépêches

Flybe Partners with AirDat to Provide Real-Time Data for Improved European Weather Forecasting

Dépèche transmise le 7 décembre 2011 par Business Wire

Flybe Partners with AirDat to Provide Real-Time Data for Improved European Weather Forecasting

MORRISVILLE, N.C. & EXETER, Devon, UK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AirDat LLC, a private US-based weather forecaster, and Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline today announced a partnership to provide real-time metrological data for Europe directly from Flybe’s 83-strong fleet of aircraft.

“We are pleased to be working with Flybe to deploy our TAMDAR advanced weather technology throughout Europe. TAMDAR will stream richer, real-time atmospheric data from Flybe aircraft that will help accelerate SESAR weather programs while significantly improving forecasts to better protect public and economic interests throughout the region.”

Flybe aircraft will be the first in Europe to carry AirDat’s proprietary Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting (“TAMDAR”) sensor. The sophisticated airborne weather sensor streams atmospheric data in real time from the aircraft to AirDat’s data centre. From there, the information is quality checked, processed, and assimilated into TAMDAR-optimized, high-resolution forecast models for European weather customers.

Flybe’s high-frequency business model will enable AirDat to collect more than 1,000 unique weather observations each day. The initial phase of the installation will result in 20 aircraft becoming equipped by May 2012. AirDat’s TAMDAR system will, in turn, provide weather data and operational benefits to Flybe, including enhanced Iridium-based satellite voice and data communications capability, automated weather reports and real-time flight and departure information for passengers.

Commenting on the partnership, Flybe’s UK Managing Director Andrew Strong said: “It’s a testament to our high-frequency business model and extensive European reach that AirDat has chosen Flybe as its first European partner airline. What’s more, it’s a real win-win deal, with Flybe gaining ground to air communication throughout the UK and Europe, providing many benefits for both our customers and our flight operations.”

Jay Ladd, AirDat’s CEO added: “We are pleased to be working with Flybe to deploy our TAMDAR advanced weather technology throughout Europe. TAMDAR will stream richer, real-time atmospheric data from Flybe aircraft that will help accelerate SESAR weather programs while significantly improving forecasts to better protect public and economic interests throughout the region.”

The combination of AirDat’s advanced proprietary weather modelling capabilities and Flybe’s extensive route network -- which covers 96 airports and 17 countries -- will enable AirDat to offer substantially improved weather data, modelling, and forecasting capabilities to customers throughout Europe.

The partnership will ultimately equip up to 100 Flybe aircraft with the TAMDAR system, generating nearly 20,000 daily weather observations (up to 1200 vertical ‘soundings’ when equated to the weather balloon system) throughout the UK and Western Europe. The system will provide Flybe with expansion opportunities in the areas of volcanic ash sensing and data transmission, as well as on-board Wi-Fi, credit card processing and aircraft data management and communications. This will be possible via the concurrent integration of US-based Avionica’s satLINK integrated communications module.

About AirDat LLC

AirDat LLC is a privately-funded company created in 2003 to develop, produce and deploy the patented (Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting) TAMDAR sensor, and to create more accurate weather forecasts and business risk solutions from its unique high-resolution data stream. AirDat's capabilities include atmospheric modelling and application development, electronic design and product development, software systems development, and network design, management and data center services. AirDat’s business and network operations are located in Morrisville, N.C., and its engineering, research and development operations are based in Lakewood, Colo. For more information on AirDat please visit http://www.airdat.com/.

About Flybe

Flybe is Europe's largest and most successful regional airline with 194 routes serving 13 countries, operating from a total of 75 departure points, 38 UK and 37 European airports. Flybe is listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information on Flybe please visit http://www.flybe.com/corporate/.