Key takeaways:
- Legacy aircraft emergency systems have historically relied on outdated “red phone networks,” which facilitate communication during emergency responses but not without high risks of potential failure, miscommunication, and disparate data
- The risks and inefficiencies that come with legacy systems can result in decision-making mistakes in rapid pace emergency situations, potentially leading to poorer outcomes
- Modern aircraft emergency system software provides redundant alerting systems, access to integrated data, and flawless communication— with backup communication and alerting channels, which can improve emergency response efforts and boost outcomes
Most legacy aviation emergency management systems have relied heavily on the classic red phone network. These satellite-based private phone networks allowed for direct communications even if there were power grid failures and when communicating with flight crews in the air outside of cell phone coverage.
The red phone network has been in use since the 1960s, and while it was the best available solution for many years despite its limitations, that’s no longer the case. Now, however, there are robust aircraft emergency management systems that allow airports to sidestep these limitations completely, improving the efficiency and safety of response teams.
The Critical Role of Aircraft Emergency Systems
Aircraft emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye. They can be severe and evolve quickly, and with enormous potential for loss of life, injury, and property damage, fast and accurate communication is essential to ensure the safety of everyone in the air and on the ground.
Outdated systems have centered around the red phone network, which has its flaws. There’s an enormous reliance on a single line of communication, which could falter if not managed properly. The system is also dependent on all satellite technology working flawlessly, and as we all know, technology can fail.
Aircraft emergency management professionals would have to coordinate response efforts while struggling with potential communication difficulties, essential data spread across different platforms, and trying to alert the right times with accurate updates.
Fortunately, emergency management for aviation has gotten an upgrade. Aircraft Emergency Systems (AES) offer transformative potential for both first responders and airfield operators with improved communication, redundant alert fail-safes, and access to critical data in a single dashboard.
Discover how innovative solutions like Westnet’s AES are redefining aircraft emergency management.
Challenges in Aircraft Emergency Response
There are three significant challenges in aircraft emergency management that can result in delayed responses or poorer outcomes. These include:
- Communication inefficiencies
- Disparate and misaligned data
- Slow and unreliable systems
Communication Inefficiencies with Legacy Systems
The Red Phone Network systems were the best technology available in the mid-1900’s, but they were far from perfect, and often resulted in communication inefficiencies.
There was a reliance on manual processes, copper wiring, and time-consuming procedures. It’s highly inefficient to need multiple parties to pick up a phone simultaneously to share vital information. In emergency aviation situations, these inefficiencies could be deadly.
Even now with reliance on satellite systems that support many legacy VoIP solutions, there can be issues with the technology that causes potential delays, decreased call quality, and reliability issues. This can cause significant miscommunication or an inability to convey accurate critical information during an emergency situation.
Disparate and Misaligned Data
Legacy emergency aviation management systems typically focus on direct communication using VoIP systems, leaving teams scrambling to review critical information that’s found in other software or platforms. If a plane is coming in for a hot landing, for example, they’ll likely check wind conditions to assess potential risks and landing zones.
When legacy systems cause teams to rely on fragmented information found in data silos, it can delay response times, cause confusions, and potentially cause critical information to be missed about current conditions, established procedures, and air telemetry information. In time-sensitive situations, this can literally mean life or death— especially if the disparate data happens alongside communication inefficiencies, which can compound the issue further.
Problems with Slow and Unreliable Systems
We’ve already discussed ways that legacy systems can slow down emergency response preparation and response, or potentially even cause confusion. These risks are significant, leading to increased risks for pilots, crew, passengers, and first responders.
Just because legacy systems have been in use for decades doesn’t mean that they’re still the ideal solution. The high risks of potential failure or delay during a high stakes situation has the potential to be disastrous, causing the unnecessary loss of life.
Improving Aircraft Emergency Response with Modern Software
Aircraft emergency response relies on accurate communication, instantly available and up-to-date data, and reliable notification to different teams. While legacy software often falls short, as we’ve discussed above, modern aircraft emergency response software can help your team save more lives more efficiently.
Introducing Westnet’s (Patent-Pending) AES Technology
Westnet’s patented AES system was designed to provide aircraft emergency response teams with the information they need alongside flawless communication and fail-proof notification systems. Our touchscreen interface provides real-time access to critical airfield and aircraft information, giving you the data you need in a single platform so your team can respond swiftly and correctly based on the specific scenario unfolding.
Westnet uses a localized network design, ensuring security and FAA compliance with audio recording and historical logs. We also offer customized alerting systems, which include visual and verbal alerts to ensure that all relevant teams have the information they need.
Key Features of Westnet’s Aircraft Emergency System
Westnet’s AES system overcomes standard challenges that come with traditional legacy systems with the following key features:
- Touchscreen technology for the control tower, feeding real-time data to all relevant teams and providing a single source of truth
- Large display systems in primary responder stations for comprehensive situational awareness, allowing teams to assess key data all at once to respond quickly during an emergency situation
- Redundant communication channels with a back-up VoIP system, ensuring consistent information flow even in the event of a digital system outages
- Fully voiced alerts and visual alerts that communicating emergency data, aircraft status, and airfield conditions in under 15 seconds, giving response teams and decision-makers all of the information they need to respond appropriate to maximize outcomes
- Radio interface controller for broadcasting alerts to mobile teams in the field, ensuring that team members have constant and ongoing communication about the incident as it evolves
The Benefits of an Integrated AES
Integrated AES systems— which is what Westnet offers— comes with significant life-saving benefits, including the following:
- Faster response times resulting from streamlined communication and automated alerts, allowing your teams to know who is responsible for what procedures and to get on the scene faster
- Improved decision-making enabled by real-time data sharing and customizable incident notes, improving incident outcome that could potentially save many lives
- Enhanced team coordination, reducing confusion and ensuring everyone is on the same page instantly
Affordability
While there are plenty of benefits to an integrated AES, many airport emergency response teams may be reluctant to switch out familiar legacy systems that are already in place. They may be comfortable with the technology, but more often than not, the cost of changing systems can seem prohibitive.
While updating from legacy systems can be expensive upfront, it’s important to consider the long-term ROI that comes with this investment. Modern AES systems contribute to more positive outcomes, reducing loss of life. It also reduces operational risks, potential legal liability, and damage of response equipment.
Airports with budget constraints, however, may consider VoIP-based systems and updating their software to at least ensure they have access to key data at all times.
Ensuring Safety Through Innovation
Legacy systems worked as well as they could, ideally creating lines of communication between key team members as emergencies were unfolding. These systems were, however, prone to inefficiencies if not outright failures, putting more lives at risk.
Modern AES systems like Westnet help airports meet today’s aircraft emergency challenges and standards. You can feel confident sending your team to handle incidents as they unfold, knowing that you have the best and most up-to-date data, and that everyone is on the same page with what’s happening and what they need to do. This can save lives of passengers, crew, pilots, bystanders, and the rescue crew themselves— and that’s worth investing in.
Discover how Westnet can improve your aircraft emergency response efficiency.
