February theme: Aviation securityAustrian Airlines selects CabinVu-123 from AD Aerospace

Published 21 February 2008

One lesson of 9/11 was that making the cockpit door impregnable, and allowing pilots clear view of the area outside the door, would improve on-board security; Austrian Airlines chooses cockpit door monitoring system from a U.K. specialist

One of the lessons of the 9/11 attacks was that cockpit doors must be made impregnable, and that the areas around the door must be monitored so that the crew would be aware of any potential threat. In fact, many security advocates said that long before 9/11, but the airline industry fought off any effort to mandate such security measures, and rest is history. Now that airlines must do so, they can select from among several companies offering cockpit door devices, and Austrian Airlines AG, the Austrian flag carrier, has selected Preston Brook, Cheshire, U.K.-basedAD Aerospace to supply Cockpit Door Monitoring Systems (CDMS) for its fleet of six Boeing 767 aircraft. Austrian has opted for the CabinVu-123 system which has less LRUs, lower weight, and simplified installation over earlier systems. The system gives pilots improved situational awareness with a view of any activity outside the cockpit door and in the adjacent galleys.

“At Austrian Airlines safety takes the highest priority and the CabinVu-123 CDMS will be a fantastic addition to the equipment and procedures we already have in place” said Walter Hechenberger, executive vice president/Technik, of Austrian Airlines. “Choosing AD Aerospace was made easier as they were able to meet the tight deadlines we had for installation of the systems.”

CabinVu-123 provides pilots with a clear and unobstructed view of the area outside the cockpit door and in the adjacent galleys from their usual seated positions. A series of cameras link to either one or two monitors and controllers in the cockpit set forward of the pilots for ease and comfort of use. This means that the pilots can visually identify anyone requesting entry and take appropriate action should an incident arise. This is in line with recommendations with the forthcoming EU-OPS 1.1255 Sub Part S. “We at AD Aerospace are extremely proud that Austrian Airlines have selected us to supply Cockpit Door Monitoring Systems,” said Mike Horne, managing director, AD Aerospace. “We are sure that they will find the CabinVu-123 system a great addition to the safety of their passengers and crew.”

In addition to Austrian Airlines, FlightVu equipment has been or is being installed on aircraft for Boeing, Orient Thai, Neos, Hong Kong Airways, Blue Panorama, Comair, Hong Kong Express, bmi, British Airways, JetBlue, Thomsonfly, Air Asia, Corsair, easyJet, Hainan, Germania, TUIfly, Bangkok Airways, Sama, and MyTravel, amongst others.