Siemens Airfield Solutions — Over the past 20 years, airfield lighting has been transformed by many energy- and labor-saving changes. Taxiway in-pavement lighting, for example, is now available with LEDs, allowing airports to save from 2.5 to five times on energy costs over traditional quartz fixtures. Other changes to in-pavement fixtures include: making them more maintenance friendly and eliminating leaks by changing from potted to precision lenses; reducing fixture weight by switching from ductile iron to aluminum alloy; and, reducing vibrations and tire damage by redesigning the fixture to provide a lower protrusion above ground. In addition, lamp wattages have decreased from 150/200 watts to 48 watts, or even less; www.usa.siemens.com/ airfield-solutions.
QT Technologies — Twenty years ago, self-serve/pay at the pump technology didn’t exist in the aviation marketplace. QT Technologies, formerly Applied Technology, invented the industry’s first self-serve refueling unit. Now 20 years later, QT offers its M3000 with a four-line display, thermal printer, and one-board design; www.QTtechnologies.com.
Corridor Aviation Service Software — From its introduction as one of the first real-time, Windows-based applications, CORRIDOR has evolved into a comprehensive multi-modal enterprise system, applying Internet services, wireless technologies, and advanced softward design; www.corridor.aero.
Inland Coatings Corporation — Since being founded in 1978, Inland Coatings Corporation has specialized in the production of a unique line of rubber coatings for various roofing and sidewall applications on aircraft hangars and facilities. Over the past 20 years, the demand for roof coating systems that provide high durability and reduced maintenance costs has grown dramatically. Inland’s RC2000 White was designed to eliminate corrosion and leak related problems, while reducing roof temperatures and the facility’s cooking demand with the same capitol expenditure; www.inlandcoatings.com.
Fentress Bradburn — Denver International Airport’s peaked white roof is an instantly recognizable iconic landmark that has welcomed travelers for the past ten years. Utilizing a structurally-integrated, Teflon-coated fiberglass tensile-membrane roof — one of the largest in the world — proved to be the most efficient solution in making the Fentress Bradburn-designed passenger terminal complex a reality. The functional aspects of using a fabric roof, as opposed to a conventional roof, are most apparent from a structural standpoint, according to the firm. At two pounds per square foot, the lightweight and flexible qualities of the Teflon-coated fiberglass tensile-membrane roof eliminated 200 tons of steel and 200,000 linear feet of concrete shear wall from the early concept plan. The unique and innovative design and materials employed also provide benefits in maintenance, lighting and energy efficiency, and noise control; www.fentressbradburn.com.
Navigance Technologies —I n the ‘80s, general aviation facilities had few security measures such as key pads or intercom access for gate controls and occasionally black and white cameras with a VCR tape system. Some high-end GA airports had evening security guards to monitor activity. After 9/11, more sophisticated security measures came on the scene including security patrols and card access control. Also, video surveillance was adopted to view sensitive areas such as ramps and fuel farms with video stored on analog recorders.Today, the face of security for general aviation has changed with new technologies leading the way offering fully integrated security systems. One such system is the Navigance Technologies Group security solution. The web-based SAFE (Secure Aviation Facilities Environment) system includes state-of-the-art color video surveillance supported by digital video recorders, enhanced lighting, badging/access controls, and secure wireless. SAFE is a turn-key system and features an open architecture design allowing for additions or upgrades, and operators can view live web video from anywhere in the world; www.navigance.com.
Horizon Business Concepts — Twenty years ago a big PC had a five megabyte hard disk drive, and TotalFBO had little more than basic accounting and some specialized invoice features for flight schools. Back then, TotalFBO ran under DOS and did not have Charter Quotes, Pre-Flight Dispatch, Ground Equipment, Automatic Payroll, TimeClock, Check Printing, Purchase Orders, Fuel Farm, Credit Card Authorization, and more. Today, TotalFBO offers one-stop software integration with more modules capable of meeting an FBO’s needs; www.totalFBO.org.
Racor — As the fueling industry has evolved over the past 20 years, new products and technologies are continually being developed to address the needs of the industry. The foundation of a solid filtration system is extensive media research and ongoing development. Parker’s Racor Division is currently focusing on synthetic media which increases the efficiency and durability of aviation filter elements. Racor offers multiple filter media options in a wide range of filter vessels for specific operating environments; www.parker.com/racor.
Dewbridge Airport Systems — Since the Passenger Boarding Bridge introduction in the late 1950s, few innovative changes were made until the 1990s. Dewbridge has introduced a number of these, including bridges for propeller and regional aircraft, Over-the-Wing (OTW) bridges, and most recently the DoubleDocker, a fully automated front and rear OTW bridge gate system; www.dewbridge.com.
