Int’l ver. 1.8 (10/2011)

Wireless teamcommunicationsolutions forground support

Pushback & TowingDeicing

Maintenance

Flightcom on the job: Sample configurations

Total communication solutionsfor safe, effective & productive teams

AIRPORT RAMPS ARE BUSY PLACES, with equipment and personnel constantlymoving in a confined space, sometimes in darkness, and in all types ofinclement weather. If a direction is missed or misunderstood, the

results can be devastating.

Research by the International Air Transportation Association shows that oneaccident and nine personal injuries occur every thousand departures. Thoseaccidents exact a heavy price: $5 billion in direct costs alone. And that’s notall. When indirect costs, such as lost revenue, scheduling disruptions, timespent on investigation and reporting, and damage to reputation are factoredinto the equation, the cost doubles to $10 billion per year.

Studies by the Flight Safety Foundation show that human factors are theprimary culprit in ramp accidents; issues like malfunctioning equipment and inclement weather play a lesser role. Andof the 12 human factors typically cited in the occupational safety literature, poor (or nonexistent) communicationroutinely tops the list.

That’s where a wireless team communication system from Flightcom can help.

NONFATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES (2009)

3.61.1

2.2

8.5

4.6

24.7

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Recordableinjuries

Cases with daysaway from work

Cases withhearing loss

Rat

e pe

r 1

00

ful

l-tim

e em

ploy

ees

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009)

All private industry

Air transportation

Wireless pushback and towing

Tug Operator

Open mic

Push to talk

Wing Walker

Wing Walker

Flightcom’s wireless pushback and towing system not only enablescommunication between the flight deck and ground crew, it optimizescommunication by controlling who can talk to whom and under whatcircumstances. All ground personnel continuously hear the flight deck onopen mic, but the flight deck can only hear the tug operator on push-to-talk.The wing walkers and tug operator are in constant communication on openmic, but open mic is overriden by push-to-talk when the tug operator iscommunicating with the flight deck.

Wireless deicing

Wireless maintenance

ComHub™

Open Mic

OpenMic

Basket

Two-Way Radiowith Intercom Option

Vehicle-MountedMultiple Channel

Base StationDriver

Wireless solution components

Headsets: Black: Wing Walkers; Red: Tug Operator

• 800m line-of-sight range: Eight times the distance and over 60 times the coverage area of Bluetooth

• Completely wireless and antenna-free: No external antennas or cumbersome belt-pack wires

• 1.8GHz DECT wireless technology: Crystal clear, interference-free, and secure communication

• Closed cell foam ear seals: Remain comfortable after hours of use

• 24-hour battery with two-hour charge time: Ensures the system is ready to use at all times

• Secure push-to-talk/push-and-hold button: Requires a solid push, eliminating the chance of accidentaltransmissions

• Noise-canceling electret microphone: Programmable microphone gain for optimal clarity and a flexible boomfor precise placement

Wireless pushback system shown here for communication among the tug operator, wing walkers, and flightdeck. Similar configurations available for deicing and maintenance. All systems are programmable to userspecifications.

Bright red “RemoveBefore Flight” flag:Reminds ground crew toretrieve the system afterpushback; includes aircrafthanger hook ComHub™ and bag: Padded sides protect the aircraft;

water-resistant design protects the communicationsystem from inclement weather

Weather-tight Pelican Hardigg™ storm case: Includes convenient built-in battery charger, as well as wheels and collapsible handle for completeportability, storage, and protection

Features

• Pilot Alert™ Warning (Pat. Pend.)

• Fully self-contained wirelessheadset

• 800m line-of-sightrange to ComHub™

• 24-hour headset battery with two-hour charge

• Rugged: IP65 rated, mil-spec tested

• DECT wireless technology

• Operates from -40˚C to +70˚C

• High-comfort, 24dB noise reduction

• Self-contained completely wirelessComHub

• System comes in a case with allnecessary accessories included

Benefits

• Alerts pilot if the system is lefthanging after pushback

• No wires/antennas to break orsnag

• Over 60 times the coverage areaof Bluetooth

• Ready to work when you are

• Built for tough conditions

• Clear, interference-free, and secure

• Works whenever you do

• Protects your hearing

• Small, with multiple mountingoptions

• Ready to work “out of the box”

Flightcom headsets: Features and benefits

7340 SW Durham Rd. • Portland, OR 97224 USA800.432.4342 • 503.684.8229 • sales@flightcom.net • www.flightcom.net

Copyright ©2011 by Flightcom Corporation Int’l ver. 1.8 (10/2011)

Flightcom solutions in brief

Pushback and towingFlightcom’s configurable wirelessaircraft pushback and towing systemsupports pushback with one to fourwing walkers. The system maintainsthe critical tug operator-to- pilotcommunication while allowing thewing walkers to listen and alert thetug operator to any hazards. Thesystem is protected by a Pilot Alert™Warning (Pat. Pend.) to ensure theground crew does not leave anyequipment attached to the aircraft.The system allows full wirelesscoverage around the aircraft withexceptional 800m line-of-sight range.Activation is as easy as plugging awired headset into the aircraft’sinterphone system. No adaptors arerequired.

DeicingFlightcom’s fully customizable deicingsolution supports hands-free wirelesscommunication between the deicingtruck driver and the team member inthe basket. By default, the systemsupports continuous full-duplexcommunication between the twoteam members to improve efficiencyand safety. Optionally, the system canbe configured to provide for push-to-talk communication with groundcontrol or other teams via a two-wayradio. Flightcom offers systems forother team configurations, includingcommunication between multipleteams working on the same aircraft.

MaintenanceFlightcom offers a variety of flexiblecommunication solutions specificallyfor maintenance teams that areworking on the same aircraft. Ourmaintenance solutions combinewireless communication headsetswith a portable battery-poweredComHub™ that can be located toprovide clear, full-duplex, hands-freecommunication among teammembers inside and outside theaircraft. Systems can be configuredfor continuous or push-to-talkcommunication, depending on yourspecific requirements. Systems canalso be configured to provide forpush-to-talk communications withground control or other teams via atwo-way radio.