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Flight Operations in Flight Dispatch

GROUP ASSIGNMENT

COMPUTING AND IT IN WORKPLACE (CITW)

CT006-3-1-L-CITW

INTAKE CODE: UC1F1203IT

DATE ASSIGNED: Week 2

DUE DATE: 23 JULY 2012

MEMBERS’ NAMES: HUSSEIN SAID SEIF AL-WAHAIBI

JEFFREY BOEY

IBRAHIM ANWAR

AIR ASIA FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN FLIGHT DISPATCH

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Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 5

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 6

Air Asia ............................................................................................................................................... 6

Flight Dispatch .................................................................................................................................... 6

Functionality ........................................................................................................................................... 7

Advantages of Flight dispatch system .................................................................................................... 8

1. Scheduled Airline operations. ..................................................................................................... 8

2. Flight Planning. ............................................................................................................................ 8

3. Economic Planning ..................................................................................................................... 8

4. Flight Safety................................................................................................................................. 8

Disadvantages of Flight Dispatch System .............................................................................................. 9

The daily plan is never flown completely as expected ....................................................................... 9

Impacts of Flight Dispatch System ......................................................................................................... 9

Minimisation of Delays ....................................................................................................................... 9

Minimisation of schedule disruption................................................................................................... 9

Safe Flights ....................................................................................................................................... 10

Security Issues: ..................................................................................................................................... 11

Viruses, worms and Trojan Horses ............................................................................................... 11

Denial of Service attack ................................................................................................................ 12

System Failure .............................................................................................................................. 12

System Protection. ............................................................................................................................ 12

Anti-virus software ....................................................................................................................... 12

Creating a Recovery Disk ............................................................................................................. 12

Files Back-up ................................................................................................................................ 12

Message encryption ...................................................................................................................... 13

Human Computer Interaction (HCI) ..................................................................................................... 14

Human Computer Interaction (HCI) in AirAsia’s Flight Operation System .................................... 14

Health Concern from Human Computer Interaction (HCI) .......................................................... 14

Ergonomics ................................................................................................................................... 15

Internet Applications ............................................................................................................................. 17

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 19

References ............................................................................................................................................. 20

AIR ASIA FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN FLIGHT DISPATCH

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Assessment Criteria

(100%)

Marks

Allocated

Marks

Given

GROUP

(70%)

a) Documentation Materials are presented

professionally using correct

grammar, punctuation spelling and

length. Addressed report

guidelines.

10

b) Coursework structuring Introduction

Main body

Conclusion/

Recommendation

10

c) Research & References Supporting research clearly explained

and presented. Thoroughly lists

references that are relevant to the

topic.

This includes proper use of citation

and referencing; following the

Harvard Referencing System for all

facts and diagrams used and

evidence of research and reading.

10

d) Argument Coherence Paragraphs are in a logical sequence

to the whole and flows logically into

the next.

15

AIR ASIA FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN FLIGHT DISPATCH

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e) Group Analysis

Justifications and analysis

Current scenario

Functionality

Advantages &

disadvantages

Impact of the technology

25

INDIVIDUAL

(30%)

f) Individual Analysis The similarities and differences

with the lectured covered in this

module

15

S1 S2 S3

g) Original Ideas & Critical

Thinking Clear evidence of original ideas

and critical thinking.

10

h) Research & References Supporting research clearly

explained and presented.

Thoroughly lists references that

are relevant to the topic

5

Total Group Mark 70

Total Individual Mark 30

TOTAL MARK 100

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Abstract

In this report, the author is going to explain a scenario that could benefit from using

Computers and Information technology (CIT). The report is about Flight Operations in

Airline Company, Air Asia. The author will focus in one department of Flight Operations in

Air Asia, which is the department of Flight Dispatch.

In addition, the author is going to explain in details about Flight Dispatch system,

functionality of Flight Dispatch system, advantages, disadvantages, impact of Flight Dispatch

system to the organisation, aviation industry as well as the customers which are the

passengers. In this report, the author will explain the implementation of Computing and

Information Technology in Flight Operations where in this report it is the Flight Dispatch.

However, in this research the author will also identify and discuss similarities and differences

of the scenarios with the materials covered in the lecture of Computing and Information and

Technology in Workplace (CITW). The author has chosen the lessons of Internet application,

Human Aspect and Security.

Lastly, the author will recommend solutions to overcome any computing and Information

problems in the scenario or enhance the current situation in the researched area.

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Flight Operations in Flight Dispatch

Introduction

This report is about investigating and researching an area of Computing and Information

Technology (CIT) in workplace within an Organisation.

The Organisation chosen in this report is Air Asia, a Malaysian based low cost Airline and

the scenario chosen is Flight Operations in the Flight Dispatch system.

Air Asia

Air Asia is a Malaysian based low cost airline based at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in

Malaysia. The carrier was formed out of Tune Air in 2002 and is led by CEO Tony

Fernandez. Air Asia’s extensive domestic and Regional network includes services within

Malaysia and to China, Southeast Asia and the subcontinent.

Air Asia is also Asia’s leading airline with a dream of making flying possible for everyone. It

operates scheduled domestic and international flights to over 400 destinations in 20 countries.

Flight Dispatch

Flight Dispatchers are those responsible for keeping airplanes operate on schedule in an

airline. Both the airline captain and the flight dispatcher are held jointly responsible for the

safety of the flight. In cooperation with the pilot, the flight dispatcher creates a flight plan that

enables the aircraft/airplane to arrive its destination on schedule with maximum payload and

the least operating costs considering en route and destination weather, winds aloft, alternate

destinations, fuel requirement and traffic flows.

A Flight dispatcher also known as Aircraft dispatcher authorises, regulates, controls and

terminates aircraft flights in accordance with company and governmental regulations and

policies to ensure safety. Flight Dispatchers are also responsible for the economics,

operational control and passenger service requirements for daily flight operations.

An aircraft Dispatcher is authorised by FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to delay,

divert or cancel a flight if unsafe conditions pose a threat to safety of the aircraft, passengers,

cargo or flight. They monitor weather conditions, aircraft positions reports, aeronautical

navigation charts, aircraft radio calls to evaluate the progress and safety of the flight.

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Fig 1: Image of Flight Dispatchers on job.

Functionality

Each airline has one central facility from which it manages its flight activities. As for Air

Asia, this main hub is at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at Kuala Lumpur

International Airport. All decisions regarding the airline’s daily operation are made in the

operational control centre by FAA licensed Aircraft Dispatchers working together with

airline management and flight crews.

Flight Dispatchers use both Software and Communications in their operations.

Communications include internet communications as well as radio communications like

HF/VHF.

In Flight Dispatch operations, the dispatchers use SITATEX software to communicate with

airline captains and pilots. SITATEX is a client-based software application that generates and

receives Type B messages (the standard format for messaging in the aviation industry). It

provides critical operational communications for the world’s airlines, ground handlers, GDS,

airfreight and aerospace companies.

With SITATEX, messages and documents can be communicated via the Internet, IP networks

and dial-up connections. These tasks are accomplished through an easy-to-use interface

designed for the ATI operational messaging environment.

Flight Dispatchers in Air Asia also make the use of CIT in their work place for computerised

flight planning, accessing weather information and NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) which is

used to notify airmen the whereabouts of their next departure aerodrome. NOTAM is a

scenario used in the Flight Dispatch Operations. One of the software they use for the flight

planning is SABRE.

An Aircraft Dispatcher prepares flight plans with information including maximum allowable

takeoff and landing weights, weather reports, field conditions, METARs, TAFs, NOTAMs,

PIREPs (all these are aviation scenarios and procedures), and other information required for

the safe completion of the flight.

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Advantages of Flight dispatch system

The use of Computing and Information Technology has resulted to a lot of advantages to the

Aviation Industry and has contributed a lot in the well-being of this industry. There are lots of

advantages of flight dispatch system in an airline company like Air Asia. Some of the

Advantages of Flight dispatch system are as follows:

1. Scheduled Airline operations.

One of the most important things in an Airline company is to ensure that flights are operated

as scheduled. Flight delays are one of the most irritating things in aviation industry which

torment both passengers and Aviation Officials including Airport Officials, Airline Managers

etc. In 2006, more than 20% of all scheduled flights were delayed in the US due to increase

in air traffic. Using Computing and Information Technology in Flight Dispatch system helps

a lot in flight operations like flight dispatch operations which results in keeping Airlines

operate on schedule.

2. Flight Planning. Flight Planning is one of the important procedures done in Flight Dispatch operation system.

In flight planning, which is done by the Flight dispatcher together with the respective aircraft

captain, both flight dispatcher and aircraft captain considers en-route weather conditions,

destination’s weather condition, alternate destinations in-case of emergencies and so on. All

of these help in ensuring safety of the journey, on schedule flights and helps the Airline

Company in knowing the requirements of the flight as well as minimise operating costs at the

same time ensuring safety of the flight. Hence, the use of Computing and Information

Technology in the flight planning processes contributes a lot in this field of aviation (The

field of Flight dispatch and flight operations).

3. Economic Planning

Another important task in the flight dispatch system which is one among the parts of Flight

Operations in an Airline company like Air Asia is the Economic Planning. This is done by

the Flight Dispatcher/Aircraft Dispatcher when scheduling and planning flight routines and

path ways. Considering the air traffic, en-route and destination weather conditions, aircraft’s

maintenance and other factors, flight dispatcher is enabled to cut costs of the flight by

planning the best possible route to minimise the operational costs.

4. Flight Safety It is said that the safest transportation in the modern world is the air transportation. This is

actually true because there are a lot of individuals working together as a group and

communicating each minute to keep the aircrafts on air safe and reach their destinations on

scheduled without colliding with one another. This is done by the Air Traffic Controllers at

the air ports control tower, TRACON (Terminal Radar Control Approach) and also the flight

dispatchers. Flight Dispatchers communicate with pilots in the Aircraft all the time to ensure

safety of the flight but also to notify them on weather changes, routes as well as emergencies.

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Computing and Information Technology plays an important part in doing so, where

communications as well as GPS in Flight following are used. Flight Dispatchers follows the

flight from the time of departure to landing at the destined airport where any technical

errors/problems are recorded and warning alerts can be easily detected, hence safety of the

flight is ensured.

Disadvantages of Flight Dispatch System

The main disadvantage in a Flight dispatch system is:

The daily plan is never flown completely as expected

The daily flight plan and schedule is never flown completely as expected in the operation of

an airline due to several reasons which are actually the constraints in the flight dispatch

system. These constraints include weather, mechanical problems and labour.

Impacts of Flight Dispatch System

Flight Dispatch system has a great impact towards the Aviation Industry, the airline company

like Air Asia as well the passengers. The Flight Dispatch system has resulted into several

positive impacts as well as negative impacts to the Aviation industry. Among the impacts of

Flight Dispatch System, include the following:

Minimisation of Delays

In the past years, the percentage of air traffic delays has decreased. This is due to the great

impact of Flight Dispatch system in Airlines working together with Air Traffic controllers.

Flight dispatchers have helped airlines to minimise delays in the airports hence reduce

inconvenience to the passengers as well as the Airports management. Nevertheless, the

reduction of delays by Airlines has resulted to avoid significant additional operational costs

whereby delays of over 15 minutes can cause so.

The increase in percentage of delayed flights is caused in increasing air traffic due to the

growth of Aviation Industry and air travel. Hence, Flight Dispatch system has resulted a huge

impact in minimisation of such problems and Computing and Information Technology has

played a great role to catalyse that.

Minimisation of schedule disruption

Flight Dispatch system which is operated in a large use of Computing and Information

Technology has resulted in the minimisation of disruption of schedules in Air Asia as one

among the leading Airline companies in the Aviation Industry.

The use of Computing and IT in flight operations (Flight Dispatch) is so critical in this era of

Information Technology to the Air travel.

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Safe Flights

The fact that weather is always changing and it’s not constant makes it very difficult for Air

travel to be safe. Air travel needs a very huge attention from all sectors responsible to make it

safe. One among the important departments responsible for safety of an Aircraft is Flight

Dispatch.

Flight dispatch has caused Air travel not only comfortable but also safe for the respective

aircraft as well as other aircrafts in the airspace at that particular. The air traffic has increased

in recent years due to the development of Aviation Industry and Air travel, flight dispatch has

played an important role in prevention of collision during flights. Flight Dispatch system also

prevents aircrafts to fly into undesirable weather conditions and can re-route a flight plans

into safety routes.

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Security Issues:

Computer security risks are actions that cause loss or damage to a computer system. Like any

other Organisation or Company, Air Asia faces several security issues and threats in their

systems. The flight dispatch department is a very important and critical department in an

aviation company like Air Asia and the Aviation Industry as well.

Since Flight Dispatch operations rely so much on internet as well, it is obvious that Air

Asia’s flight dispatchers face a lot of online security threats which include threats like virus

attacks, spam, phishing scams, denial of services attack, hackers and so on. Sometimes, even

terrorists may hack to the flight dispatch system and use the information in attacking or

hijacking an aircraft.

Together with Air Traffic Control systems, Flight Dispatchers may receive a lot of threats

from the outside world into their systems and since these departments are very critical in the

operations of the airlines, the airline companies like Air Asia needs a firm security system in

order to minimise and avoid security threats which may endanger the lives of thousands of

passengers relying on these people.

Among the security threats which Air Asia’s Flight Dispatchers face, include the following:

Viruses, worms and Trojan Horses

Computer Virus is an unwanted program in a computer device that can replicate itself and

spread from one computer to another. They can spread as well as damage files in a computer.

Viruses tend to interfere with computer operations, might also corrupt or delete data or even

everything available on a computer.

Computer worms are stand-alone computer malware programs that are able to replicate

themselves and spread over a network or the internet. They can possibly shut down a

computer or a network. Worms spread automatically through email messages, networks or

operating system vulnerabilities. They are not always destructive to computers but usually

cause computer and network performance and stability problems.

Trojan Horses are malicious stand-alone programs that masquerade as legitimate file or

application. They do not replicate themselves and look like legitimate programs until

triggered.

All these, (viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, dishonest adware and other malicious or

unwanted software) are referred to as malware, where they can be harmful to computer or

even a network and cause either destruction or any other computer related problems to the

infected computer device or network.

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Denial of Service attack

A denial of service attack is an attempt to make a machine or network resource unavailable to

its intended user. The attack prevents legitimate users of a service to using that particular

service. Denial of service attack is one of the ways which hackers use to attack.

Hackers use unsuspecting computers called zombie to execute attack on other systems. These

attacks can cause communication break down within the Company where important

information need to be shared for the safety of an aircraft. Hence, the DOS attacks can cause

fatal effects if not prevented or dealt with as soon as it occurs.

System Failure

System failure is a system malfunction. It can occur from hardware failure or severe software

issue. A system failure will cause system to freeze, reboot or stop functioning. System failure

can also be caused by aging hardware, natural disasters or electrical power disturbance.

System failure can cause a lot of consequences in an computing and IT dependant

departments like flight operations including flight control, air traffic control, flight dispatch

and so on. It can cause loss of hardware, software and also loss of important data.

System Protection.

Anti-virus software

Anti-virus software is a software program which identifies and removes computer viruses in a

system. It also protects the system against the viruses, worms and Trojan horses. The anti-

virus software reads the virus signature which is the specific pattern (algorithm) of virus

code. This pattern is also called virus signature.

Air Asia uses Anti-virus software in order to protect their systems from virus and other

malware attacks. Among the popular Anti-virus programs include, AVG Anti-virus, Norton

Anti-virus, McAfee Anti-virus, F-Secure Anti-virus etc.

Creating a Recovery Disk

A recovery disk is removable disk that contains uninfected copy of key operating system

commands that enables computers to restart. The recovery disk is also called a Rescue disk.

Once computer restarts, antivirus program attempts to repair damaged files.

Files Back-up

A back-up is a duplicate of a file, program or disk to another disk in order to save the files in

case of System failure or corrupted files. Individual can restore the files by copying to

original location.

Like any other Organisation, Air Asia practices a backup procedure. Back-up procedure is

regular plan of copying and storing data and program files. Apart from the backup procedure,

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there’s also a disaster recovery plan. This is a written plan for restoring computer operations

in events of disaster.

Air Asia, as one among the great Organisations which operate in Aviation Industry also keeps

a Computer Security Plan. Computer Security Plan summarises in writing all safeguards in

place to protect company’s information.

Message encryption

Since Air Asia’s flight dispatchers communicate crucial information with their pilots, Air

Traffic Controllers, Weather agencies as well as other dispatchers it is important that they

secure their information so that any other unauthorised party to be unable to access that

information.

Hence, Air Asia together with other Aviation departments encrypt their messages so that they

secure the information.

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Human Computer Interaction (HCI)

Human Computer Interaction or Human Computer Interface are define as the decision,

evaluation and implementation of interaction computing systems for human use and with the

study of major phenomena surrounding them. There are 3 components in Human Computer

Interaction or short term as HCI, firstly there is the human, computer and the interaction.

Humans are the individual user, a group of users that work together and use the technology. It

is also a sequence of user in an organization each dealing with some part of the task or

process. However, computer are not just computer like desktop or laptops, but also the other

technology ranging from general desktop to a larger scale of computer system. It is a process

control or an embedded system. Lastly, interaction is the communication between the users

and the computer. The computer system is design to support the people who are working

there so that they can carry out activities productively and safely.

Human Computer Interaction (HCI) in AirAsia’s Flight Operation System

The human computer interaction or HCI in AirAsia’s flight operation system is that it

concerned with the user performance and produce usable and safe system as well as

functional system too. That is not all, the HCI in this system also improve safety, utility,

effectiveness, efficiency, usability and simplicity. It is important for the flight operation

system to remain its simplicity and still provide great performance. Simplicity helps the users

to conduct activities or operations efficiently and with the ease of mind. Because the more

clutter of the system, the users tend to lose attraction easily and by that, functionality and the

performance output will decrease. The risks of system failure in this flight operation system

are very low, because there is always a backup plan with all else fails. However, most errors

or failures occurred due to human factor instead of technical factors. Flight operation system

operates 24/7, because it covers many areas in flight operation, for an instance, the departure

and landing of an aircraft, weather and GPS reports, communication from the air tower to the

aircraft, sending information to the pilots via internet and so on.

Health Concern from Human Computer Interaction (HCI)

Due to the constant operating system, it cannot be shut down for any purposes, thus, the

people working in this department have to monitor and regulate it for long hours constantly.

Some typically had consumes most of their time on the computer and monitor screens,

causing some health concerns towards it.

Computer Vision Syndromes (CVS)

The risk of Computer Vision Syndromes or CVS, which means the eye and vision

problems, like blurry vision, would increase.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Despite the increase risk of Computer Vision Syndromes or CVS, there is also another

increase risk of health towards the long hour users. It is called Repetitive Strain Injury

or for short, RSI, due to the repetition of activities for long hours. There is 2 types

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Repetitive Strain Injury or RSI. Firstly, there is the Carpal Tunnel Syndromes which it

causes inflammation of nerve that connects forearm to palm due to the pressure on the

median nerve, especially when the user’s wrist is bent down (your hands lower than

your wrist) or even making the same wrist movement repetitively. The feelings of

tingling, numbness, weakness, or even pain in the fingers or hand are the symptoms of

Carpal Tunnel Syndromes. Some people even experience pain in their arm between

their hand and their elbow too. However, most often it occurs in the thumb, index

finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. It is also a sign that if your little

finger is fine but having problem such as pain or so on, on your other fingers. By

shaking your hand may help to get relief from it. The other type of Repetitive Strain

Injury or RSI is called tendonitis. It is an inflammation of tendon also due to repeated

motion, for example, using computer mouse for a long period of time and so on. Here

are some of the symptoms of Repetitive Strain Injury or RSI. It often causes pain in

the tissues surrounding a joint, especially after the joint is overused during work. In

addition, the injured area may also be red, swollen and warm to be touch plus the

feeling of weakness is also the main symptoms of Repetitive Strain Injury or RSI.

One of the most common symptoms is the pain at the back of the wrist, near the base

of the thumb.

Pains In The Back And Neck

There are also other heaths concerns of computer usage, other than the one that

mentioned above, there are also high possibilities of back and neck pains due to the

improper use of chairs and wrong ways of positioning keyboards and/or display

screen.

Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)

In the flight operation systems have lots of electrical devices, thus, the

electromagnetic fields or EMFs are very strong due to the waves of electrical and

magnetic energies generated by those electronic devices.

Noises

Not to mention the noises generated by those devices too.

Ergonomics

Human Computer Interaction or HCI also covers the area of ergonomics. Ergonomics are

applied science devoted to comfort, efficiency, and safety in workplace. In AirAsia’s flight

operation systems, the workers had their keyboard at an optimum height which is 23”-28”.

That is not all, they even had an adjustable backrest and seat with 5 legs to provide stability

and comfort for the users who is going to work for long hours. While working in this flight

operation system, most of the users practise good ergonomics, they had their feet flat and

elbows 90 degree plus arms and hand parallel to the floor. However, green computing is not

practice in this flight operation system. Most computers and electronic devices are always not

turn off and running overnights.

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Preventions

However, preventions are better than cure. There are ways to prevent the risk of the following

above like Repetitive Strain Injury and Computer Visions Syndromes. By doing simple

activities helps to prevent the risk above mentioned, for example, taking a 10-15mins break,

look into the distance and focused on that object for 20-30seconds. Not just that, blinking

every 5 seconds, resting your eyes for 1 minute and rolling your eyes also helps to prevent the

risk of it. Try warming up the wrist before begin operating, because it is important to cool

down and stretch after finishing operating. By learning and maintaining a good body posture

also helps to prevent Repetitive Strain Injury or RSI.

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Internet Applications

Air Asia is one of the low cost airlines which is a trademark of the ASEAN Countries. It is

also considered the best low cost airline in the world. Flight Operations System of Air Asia is

highly dependent on the internet applications it uses in the control tower and in the inflight

functions. Basically all the communications in between the flight and the control tower is

through the internet which sends two way signals enabling both the pilots in the aircraft and

the people in the control tower to have effective communication.

Being the frontrunner in Low cost Transporter airlines Air Asia has made it obvious that they

are installing Teledyne Controls Wireless Ground link Quick access Recorder (WQAR) on 25

new Airbus A330 aircraft and retrofit on 2 Airbus A-340 aircraft. Air Asia has also selected

Air Asia’s flight Data Monitoring System (FDM) services for the replay and analysis of their

flight data.

Air Asia X will organize Teledyne’s confirmed wireless technology through their complete

fleets to automate the recording and air to ground wireless transmission of their aircraft

statistics. The WQAR will also allow Air Asia X to transmit their ACMS (Aircraft Condition

Monitoring System) reports from the aircraft inexpensively, at a fraction of the cost of

sending the same information via ACARS

A significant new feature of Teledyne’s WQAR is the new Download on Demand (DoD)

feature. This function will allow Air Asia X to remotely command flight data download

wherever they need. Earlier acess to flight data, regardless of the airport destination,

designated hub or gate. With the WQAR’s capability, the airline can collect critical flight

data much faster from almost any airport worldwide and respond to potential issues in record

time.

There is effective communication through the internet that provides cockpit email and SMS

connectivity during the flight, flight following both downstream (i.e. the aircraft reporting

automatically back to flight dispatch. Also it provides this service upstream

which includes these components.(TAF/METAR, NOTAM, graphical SigMET, graphical

SatWx updated in a push mode (no need for the pilot to request data they function

automatically), system-internal hand shakes to promise completeness, accuracy and

confirmed delivery of data, engineering and maintenance data support, AOC messaging,

There are supplies in the method to support CPDLC data transmission, if essential at a later

stage. All this can be supported by the present "low bandwidth" connection. There is nothing

in terms of real-time connectivity missing that would be mandatory for a comprehensive

clarification.

While competence is one part, low operational cost is another, because AirAsia has

succeeded in cutting their communications cost at the same time.

It is vital to note that the airborne capability goes hand-in-hand with a "no cost" (in terms of

data transmission) airport connectivity. This is the key, because today, many arguments for

"broadband" are based on substantial data that is effectively transmitted from or to the aircraft

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at airports. A captain of Air asia was interviewed and he stated :For this I am briefed that

there is no reason why KU or KA band "broadband" should be necessary for cockpit or

engineering, neither from the cost nor from the capability point of view. Customer

amusement is a different problem, but we favor to strictly isolate traffic here anyway. For

hardware, In Air Asia, the drag induced by KU or similar antennas incurs a hefty

petroleum/freight penalty. An Additional point to note is the simplicity of installation- the

Iridium narrow-band system AirAsia uses employs a very small antenna only (flat, about

10cm diameter), and operates on low-power equipment. All this contributes to lower cost-

while still giving 100% of the capability that is required, adjustable in 12h end to end.

These are the applications that Air Asia uses which are namely Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)

system, the Teledyne’s Control Wireless Ground link Quick Access Recorder (WQAR) and

Flight Data Monitoring System (FDM). These systems were developed under high level of

supervision which enhance the communications between the flight dispatch department and

the flight. It ensures greater reliability, efficiency and easy for the operators of the concerned

flight.

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Conclusion

According to the research the author has gone through, it has been figured out that Flight

Dispatch system is a very important department in the Aviation Industry and it is very critical

in terms of security as well as Economics. Airline Companies like Air Asia are implementing

Computing and IT in the workplace in order to improve the efficiency of the Operations.

Also, Airline Companies are putting a lot of effort in the department of Flight Dispatch to

ensure smooth operations of the company. Among these efforts which Airline Companies

like Air Asia are taking to includes High Salary to the Flight Dispatchers.

In this report, the author has also realised the importance of Security in the field of Computer

and Information Technology as well as Aviation Industry. Nevertheless, it has been realised

how important Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is in the workplace. The human computer

interaction in a workplace is extremely crucial not just for personal health purposes, but also

the efficiency and safety of an individual and the organization.

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References

Air Asia’s Corporate profile [Online], Air Asia, available at

http://www.airasia.com/my/en/corporate/corporateprofile.page [Accessed 25 June 2012]

Air Asia’s profile [Online], Centre of Aviation, available at

http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/airasia-ak [Accessed 25 June 2012]

Airline Dispatcher work environment [Online], World Airline Dispatcher Schools, available

at http://www.fltdisp.com/TheDispatchCareer/WorkEnvironment/tabid/58/Default.aspx

[Accessed 25 June 2012]

Flight Dispatcher Jobs [Online], Avjobs.com, available at

http://www.avjobs.com/careers/detail.asp?RecID=72#.UAy4nbQe55c [Accessed 25 June

2012]

Sitatex [Online], SITA, available at http://www.sita.aero/product/sitatex-software-

developer%E2%80%99s-kit [Accessed 26 June 2012]

Virus [Online], Webopedia, available at http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/V/virus.html

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