Million Air Houston (HOU), headquarters FBO for the Million Air Interlink franchise network, recently completed a two-year joint effort with Navigance Technologies Group to create and test a fully integrated Web-based wireless security system. The hardware/software package provides security throughout Million Air HOU’s 52-acre complex.
The prototype security platform Navigance designed now ensures this Million Air meets FAA and TSA gateway requirements for all business aircraft en route to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which late last year reopened to limited general aviation traffic. Houston Hobby is one of only eight gateway airports approved for aircraft departing for DCA.
Bruce Lambert, Million Air director of information technology, said, “Our facility has the security to ensure safe, unfettered travel to and from DCA–or any other airport for that matter–and protects our customers’ high-end assets. Now we can recommend the Navigance system to other Million Air facilities that look to us for technical guidance.”
The Navigance system provides restricted access to the facility and manages risk on ramps and in hangar areas using a secure high-speed wireless network design. By controlling airport and hangar access, and by keeping digital video recordings of activity at key areas, Million Air not only offers tenants and transient customers peace of mind, it also opens up the possibility of reduced insurance costs.
“When you have a recording of everything that happens in a hangar, it’s easy to determine who is–and isn’t–at fault in an incident,” Lambert said. Having a history of proven incident monitoring and reporting could lead insurance companies to reduce rates for FBOs, said Lambert.