Lufthansa Systems remains on the right track with its navigation solutions. The airline IT specialist reported numerous new Lido/Navigation contracts, contract extensions and product implementations in 2015. 25 new customers opted for solutions from the Lido/Navigation product range. Lufthansa Systems also successfully completed a total of 35 product implementations for customers.
Lido/Navigation solutions are being used by more than 200 airlines and customers of all sizes, with different business models and alliances, including low-cost, network, cargo and charter airlines. Each year around 570 million passengers worldwide fly on planes using Lufthansa Systems’ navigation charts, which are available through the paper-based Lido/RouteManual solution as well as the electronic Lido/eRouteManual (Windows) and Lido/mPilot (iOS) solutions. To ensure smooth taxiing processes, the established Lido/eRouteManual solution can connect seamlessly to Lido/AMM, a geodatabase that complies with the ARINC 816 standard. And Lido/FMS offers highly accurate, customized data for an airline’s flight management system.
“2015 was a year of product developments and mobile optimization for our Lido/Navigation chart solutions,” said Patricia Cramer, Vice President Lido/Navigation at Lufthansa Systems. “The focus was on clarity and efficient use.” The Lido/mPilot iPad app, which was first introduced at the end of 2014, features a useful combination of airport maps, takeoff and landing procedures, a seamlessly zoomable and dynamic enroute chart and a document management system.
The latest software release, which has been available since November, includes additional optimizations: Now all general documents (the GEN part) can be viewed directly in the app in a clear, interactive table, and pilots can search for and bookmark individual files if necessary. The new change log shows the details of updates from the regular data revision cycle (AIRAC), which offers improved data transparency for pilots as well as a swift, targeted overview of changes affecting their flights. As requested by customers, the new version 1.1 also makes it possible to link directly to external systems. This can be activated by a button integrated in the application for quick access to a number of different operational data sources. The customer decides which sources to link to.
In addition to upgrading the Lido/mPilot application, Lufthansa Systems spent the second half of the year focusing on the new Lido/eRouteManual release, which introduced the Mobile Updater. This enables wireless data updates, making it much easier to use the digital navigation solution on mobile devices. Pilots can now update the digital Lido/eRouteManual charts at any time, from anywhere.
Furthermore, administrators can now control the distribution of Lido/eRouteManual data via the DDS (Data Distribution System) portal, create new users, and maintain an up-to-theminute overview of the update status of all devices across the entire fleet. This is important because each navigation chart update must be clearly documented for the authorities. Airlines that also use the Lido/mPilot app can control both applications via the same web portal, which greatly simplifies administration.
Embedding the navigation solutions in partner systems was another important topic in 2015. Lufthansa Systems worked very intensively to establish useful interfaces to different EFB solutions. Lido/mPilot, for example, has an interface for flight plans so that the navigation solution can be opened in another EFB app to display the selected route. Lido/eRouteManual, in turn, can now integrate information such as current weather conditions. This improved program compatibility gives customers more flexibility when it comes to choosing and using an EFB system. It also further simplifies processes on the flight deck.
Captions (copyright Lufthansa Systems):
- The Lido/mPilot iPad app supports pilots before, during and after a flight.
- The Mobile Updater in the Windows-based Lido/eRouteManual app enables wireless data updates on mobile devices.
About Lufthansa Systems
Lufthansa Systems GmbH & Co. KG is a leading airline IT provider. Based on long-term project experience, a deep understanding of complex business processes and strong technological know-how, the company provides consulting and IT services for the global aviation industry. Over 300 airlines worldwide rely on the know-how of IT specialists at Lufthansa Systems. Its portfolio covers innovative IT products and services which provide added value for its customers in terms of enhanced efficiency, reduced costs or increased profits. Headquartered in Raunheim near Frankfurt/Main, Germany, Lufthansa Systems has offices in 16 other countries.
Featured image credited to istock.com/JakeOlimb
