Latest news with #vice president
Fast Company
3 days ago
- Fast Company
This new flight deck technology is making flying safer, reducing delays, and curbing emissions
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in a modern airliner's cockpit? While you're enjoying your in-flight movie, a quiet technological revolution is underway, one that's not only making flying safer but also reducing air time to help minimize delays and reduce each flight's carbon footprint. This advancement is a new application of a long-standing technology known as ADS-B, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast. The new application, called SafeRoute+, is a key component of the ongoing modernization of our air traffic control system. As the vice president and general manager of surveillance at Acron Aviation, my team is responsible for designing and building many of the systems that airlines and air traffic controllers use to track planes. ADS-B is one of the key surveillance components in this effort. My background in electrical engineering and my work on flight decks and surveillance systems means I am deeply involved in understanding how this technology works and how it can be best used to improve every flight. A clear need for such innovations exists today. In 2024 alone, the U.S. recorded 1,474 runway incursions—about four per day—where aircraft, vehicles, or people were incorrectly present in protected airport areas. Each of these incidents represents a potential collision averted, highlighting why enhanced flight deck awareness isn't just beneficial—it's critical. The information revolution in aviation For decades, air traffic controllers (ATC) have helped to prevent collisions between aircraft, expedite and maintain an orderly flow of traffic, and provide advice and information for the conduct of flights. Pilots, in turn, have relied on visual cues, ATC instructions, and onboard navigation and surveillance instruments to fly safely. This dynamic is changing with the widespread adoption of ADS-B technology. ADS-B Out, mandatory for all U.S. aircraft, broadcasts position data to ATC and other planes. It's the same data that consumer tracking apps like Flightradar24 use. The major step forward, however, is ADS-B In, which allows pilots to receive and display this real-time traffic information directly in the cockpit. This significantly improves their awareness of nearby aircraft, reducing reliance on visual checks and controller updates. While this offers new pilot insight, ATC still plays a crucial role in ensuring overall safety by integrating all surveillance data from various sources to manage the entire system. Technologies like SafeRoute+ are helping to meet a key need expressed by the U.S.'s aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Real-world results At Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, one of the world's busiest hubs, tests of this new application of ADS-B technology showed impressive improvements. Each arrival runway could handle four to five additional landings per hour, significantly reducing congestion. Planes equipped with ADS-B In technology reported a 20-second reduction in average flight distance and time on the downwind leg of the approach, saving time and fuel. In addition to this, the spacing between aircraft at the runway could be safely reduced by 12 seconds. Visual safety improvements of approximately 14% were observed, even in poor weather conditions. Perhaps most importantly, throughout the entire testing period, there were zero safety incidents related to aircraft separation. These improvements translate to meaningful benefits for everyone involved in air travel. Passengers experience fewer delays and contribute to a smaller carbon footprint when flying. Airlines benefit from increased operational efficiency, reduced fuel consumption, and more robust flight schedules. Airports can better handle the high traffic levels without the enormous expense of building new runways or terminals, making better use of existing infrastructure. How it works: A new perspective for pilots SafeRoute+ is Acron Aviation's ADS-B In solution. It provides pilots with a forward-looking traffic view up to 180 nautical miles. This view enables more precise aircraft spacing, safely reducing the separation between aircraft and increasing throughput, particularly in low visibility. SafeRoute+ provides pilots with a suite of tools for proactive decision-making. These tools empower them with a clearer picture of their surroundings, creating a shared understanding between pilots and ATC that leads to safer and more efficient skies. The path forward Solutions like SafeRoute+ are not only available for new aircraft but also for existing fleets through cost-effective retrofits. For this technology to reach its full potential, we need continued regulatory support, investment from airlines, and collaboration among aircraft manufacturers, technology partners, and aviation authorities. The evidence from real-world trials clearly shows that providing pilots with better tools leads to improved system performance and safety. As our skies become increasingly busy, these technological innovations will play a vital role in safely managing growing air travel demand while helping to reduce the environmental impact. The future of aviation is about flying smarter, and ADS-B technology is a key component of this.
Gulf Business
3 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Middle East businesses embrace AI-powered analytics to drive smarter decisions
Karl Crowther, vice president at Alteryx MEA and APAC/Image: Supplied Across the Middle East, organisations are increasingly leveraging AI-powered analytics to boost operational efficiency and accelerate decision-making. Karl Crowther, vice president at Alteryx MEA and APAC, explains that modern analytics platforms are bridging the gap between governance, flexibility, and innovation. 'Traditionally, businesses have had to choose between governance, flexibility, and innovation, but that's changing. Newer solutions now bring together low-code/no-code analytics, AI assistance, and strong governance in a single, centrally managed environment, allowing more teams to access insights securely and at scale,' Crowther says. 'In fact, Alteryx research shows that 94 per cent of analysts say their role now directly influences strategic decisions.' Future-proofing businesses with analytics and automation As markets become more data-driven and digitally connected, analytics and automation are central to future-proofing businesses. 'It's no longer just about analyzing the past; it's about scaling insights and acting on them in real time,' Crowther notes. Organisations are seeking both flexibility and AI readiness, combining intelligent automation with collaborative, enterprise-ready platforms to stay ahead of the rapid pace of AI innovation. The public sector, he adds, is approaching analytics differently. 'Governments in the region are using these tools to improve services, increase transparency, and make better decisions. For instance, Abu Dhabi plans to be the world's first fully AI-native government across all digital services by 2027. As they adopt AI, there's a strong focus on governance, security, and following regulations like GDPR.' Upskilling for a data-fluent workforce With demand for data fluency growing, organisations are taking a broader approach to upskilling, empowering entire teams rather than a handful of specialists. 'Yet challenges like data integration and quality issues continue to slow progress, especially as businesses move to the cloud. In fact, our recent survey found that nearly half of data analysts cite data quality as their biggest obstacle. Organisations should make analytics more accessible and simplify data prep with AI-powered insights,' Crowther explains. Building a strong data culture, he says, goes beyond technology. 'The most successful companies are those that treat analytics as a core part of their decision-making DNA… One key practice we see is activating the entire decision-making ecosystem, from frontline analysts to senior managers, to build momentum across all levels of the organisation. Alteryx research, nine out of 10 respondents in the Middle East, including 93 per cent in the UAE, report that AI has significantly transformed their work in the past year. These companies also recognise that culture change isn't instant. They celebrate small wins and use those early successes to spark broader adoption.' Key trends shaping enterprise data strategies Crowther highlights several trends shaping enterprise data strategies in EMEA, including the need to make data AI-ready while maintaining trust and governance. 'As organisations work to unlock value from AI, they're also confronting fragmented architectures, siloed data sources, and growing regulatory expectations like GDPR. In response, we're seeing a shift toward more centralised, auditable data workflows where governance is built in from the start, not bolted on later.' The democratisation of analytics is further changing the landscape. 'By putting AI and insights into the hands of non-technical users, organisations are no longer reliant on small, centralised teams to unlock value from their data. This shift enables faster, more informed decision-making across departments… Companies that provide flexible, scalable tools, while maintaining transparency and control over how AI is used, are better positioned to adapt quickly to market shifts, drive innovation from the ground up, and turn data into a competitive advantage,' Crowther says. Real-world impact across industries Alteryx-powered analytics are delivering measurable results across sectors in the region. Crowther points to the financial services industry as an example: 'One standout example is Bank al Etihad in Jordan, which has seen a measurable impact from Alteryx-powered analytics. With a network of over 50 branches, the bank needed to streamline its manual data preparation and reporting processes, which previously took an average of two days per report using spreadsheets. By adopting Alteryx, the bank was able to automate these workflows, significantly improving reporting speed, accuracy, and responsiveness to ad hoc requests.' Navigating ethical and regulatory considerations As AI and automation become more embedded in business processes, ethical and regulatory considerations are critical. 'Companies need to ensure that every data process is transparent, auditable, and aligned with both internal policies and external regulations like GDPR. This includes safeguarding personally identifiable information, removing proprietary IP, and involving legal and compliance teams early in the development and deployment of AI-driven solutions. Building trust with customers, regulators, and employees will be essential to unlocking long-term value from AI in a responsible and sustainable way,' Crowther advises. Opportunities ahead Looking forward, the Middle East and Africa present significant growth opportunities for analytics adoption. Crowther emphasises, 'The biggest opportunities lie in making analytics more accessible, automating routine processes, and ensuring data is AI-ready and well-governed. What excites me most is how quickly the region is moving from early adoption to real impact, with analytics becoming a core part of how organisations operate and grow.' With AI projected to contribute $100bn to the UAE's GDP and $135.2bn to Saudi Arabia's by 2030, businesses that embrace analytics, automation, and a data-driven culture are poised to transform operations, enhance decision-making, and gain a competitive edge.
