Enhanced security and improved data acquisition are prime concerns of today’s business aviation community, subjects Universal Weather and Aviation of Houston seeks to address with two new programs.
Universal has established an alliance with Pinkerton Consulting and Investigations to help safeguard operations of Universal’s clients. In the other program, Rockwell Collins has agreed to provide its customers with Universal’s data and operation management services as part of the Collins’ eFlight system.
The arrangement with Pinkerton calls for that organization to offer Universal customers the options of receiving established security briefings or personalized security service on a worldwide basis. Dean Landon, senior manager of military and government affairs for UVair, commented, “In many parts of the world, it is essential to obtain aircraft and personal security information to safeguard your assets as well as your own well-being. Pinkerton Security has the established experience dating back to 1850 to provide the needed security and precautions.”
He also said that in view of the catastrophic events in New York last month, the two companies will donate all security briefing revenues generated from a 30-day period to a victim relief fund.
The Universal/Collins program combines the Universal UVdatalink air-to-ground communication technology with the eFlight avionics. Initial services from UVair will include flight planning and trip status as well as textual and graphic weather services that are accessible en route or on the ground. Greg Churchill, vice president and general manager of Rockwell Collins Business and Regional Systems, said, “This agreement with Universal is the first step toward allowing operators to access a single location in order to service many of their flight needs.”
UVair also said that as the UVdatalink system continues to grow the company plans to keep expanding its support of an array of avionics. For instance, the unit will support and transmit data, once integrated into the flight decks, from Collins’ Pro Line 21 and Pro Line 21 Continuum line of products.