Jim Block, Chief Meteorologist

Weather is the single factor that most impacts both safety and profitability of helicopter operations. In fact, one large, global, publicly traded helicopter company in its annual report listed weather as the most important financial risk in the company's outlook.Harsh weather including poor visibility, high wind, thunderstorms, and sand storms can reduce flight hours, result in damage to equipment, and all too often may lead to personal injury – or even death.

The value a helicopter operation realizes from an aviation weather information service depends on how well that service helps operators make decisions faster and more reliably. The key factors are:

Improved safety

A goal of all helicopter operations is the safety of helicopter crew and passengers. Telvent combines weather with the real-time location of helicopters, by constantly monitoring both helicopters and bases for adverse weather conditions. Since both pilots and comm. centers have many other duties, our systems constantly monitor weather in the background, and generate alerts whenever the current or forecast weather conditions exceed a company's pre-determined thresholds. These alerts appear on a screen, and can be sent as text messages to notify appropriate personnel that conditions exist that require their attention. The Telvent system uses robust and patented technologies to automatically watch for any weather condition that may impact flight safety.

Increased cost effectiveness

Unfortunately, by preventing missions from being flown, weather can negatively impact the financial performance of helicopter operating companies. These impacts are exacerbated when there is no ability for management to ensure that appropriate decisions are being consistently made.

Telvent provides an opportunity to ensure that the safe and correct "Go/No Go" decision is made whenever mission opportunities arise. This scalable solution also ensures a positive Return On Investment (ROI) on weather services investments in addition to enhanced safety and operating margins.

Reliability

The reliability of weather information can differ widely from provider to provider. Telvent's integration of technology and services across the entire weather information value chain means the information is forwarded completely, accurately, and in a timely manner.

This efficient, single-source approach has resulted in Telvent solutions to be certified as a Qualified Internet Communications Provider (QICP) by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). QICP certification reflects the security and reliability of Telvent services, along with accessibility based on stringent guidelines published by the FAA. Most free web sites do not meet these requirements.