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In a multi-year contract signed with HIAL (Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd), Systems Interface will deploy Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) at 8 airports across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. These airports provide critical transport services to some of the UK’s remotest communities. Dependable navigation systems that work day and night and in all weather conditions are therefore crucial to maintaining these key links. 

Under the terms of the contract 4 systems will be deployed in 2025, with the remaining 4 systems deployed in the following year. Systems Interface will be responsible for the turn-key operation of the systems including the support to achieve the necessary regulatory approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

David Chandler, Sales and Business Development Director at Systems Interface commented: “These systems will be deployed at some of the most challenging airport locations in Europe.  Through previous deliveries to HIAL, the Systems Interface project delivery team fully understand the complexities of the programme and are committed to achieving the agreed in-service delivery targets on schedule.”

The DME systems will be deployed at Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Sumburgh.

Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) uses the propagation delay of radio signals between an aircraft and a corresponding ground station to calculate the line-of-sight distance. The aircraft sends a signal to the ground station, the ground station responds with a signal back to the aircraft, the aircraft measures how long it takes for the signal to return and using the propagation delay, calculates its distance to the ground station

About HIAL – Highlands and Islands Airport Limited
Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) is a private limited company wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers and responsible for the management and operation of 11 regional airports located at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick. Working with our stakeholders, HIAL is committed to supporting the essential socio-economic role of aviation in Scotland by maintaining and developing the airports and the connections they provide for some of our country’s more remote communities.

Photo Credit: HIAL (Highlands & Islands Airports Limited)

Systems Interface Ltd has completed the installation, commissioning and flight check of Doppler VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range (DVOR) and co-located Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) for the GCAA at Banjul International Airport in The Gambia.

Following an international tender, Systems Interface was contracted to complete the turnkey provision of these essential systems. Initially this included the site survey, detailed system design, and coverage analysis. Following the de-commissioning of the existing equipment, Systems Interface installed and commissioned the new equipment. Finally, a flight calibration check was carried out to verify the precision of the installed system.
The DVOR and DME combined deliver precise bearing and distance information to suitably equipped aircraft, allowing pilots to safely navigate when approaching Banjul.

“Having installed the previous DVOR/DME over 20 years ago, we appreciate that once again GCAA invested its trust in Systems Interface to deliver, it demonstrates our incredible project delivery capability”, commented David Chandler, Sales and Business Development Director at Systems Interface.

About Banjul International Airport (BIA)
Banjul International Airport (BIA), also known as Yundum International Airport, is the main international airport serving the capital city of Banjul in The Gambia, a West African country. Located in Yundum, approximately 25 kilometres southeast of Banjul, BIA serves as the primary gateway for both domestic and international air travel to and from The Gambia.

Photo Credit: Freelance Photographer | Salvador Aznar 
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/aznar | www.s-aznarfotografo.com

Systems Interface Ltd has signed a major contract with the Romanian Government that will see the delivery of navigation systems at 7 Air Force locations across the country. 

Following an international tender, Systems Interface agreed a framework contract with the government foreign defence trade organisation, ROMTEHNICA for the turnkey provision of 13 Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) systems. The contract scope requires Systems Interface to provide the complete site infrastructure. In addition to the dual redundant NDBs, this will include the provision of equipment shelters, power back-up systems, telecommunication facilities, antennas and masts. 

The solution is based around the VR125S-RD-B: 125 W NDB from Nautel, who is a long-term supply partner to Systems Interface. A comprehensive logistics support package is included which covers spares, installation, commissioning, and training. The reliability of the system is underlined by the provision of a 10-year warranty. 

An NDB is a low frequency radio transmitter that transmits a signal of equal strength in all directions. NDBs are often associated with Non-Precision Approach procedures. The signal contains a coded element which is used for station identification. Automatic Direction Finding (ADF) equipment on board aircraft uses bearings from NDBs for navigation purposes. 

“NDBs are the longest established of today’s navigation aids with their use stretching back to the 1930s. It is a testament to their rugged and reliable performance characteristics that ensures they are still an essential component in today’s evolving airspace requirements,” commented David Chandler, Sales and Business Development Director at Systems Interface.

About RoAF (The Romanian Air Force) 
The Romanian Air Force (RoAF) is the air force branch of the Romanian Armed Forces. It was founded in 1913 and is headquartered in Bucharest. The RoAF have an air force headquarters, an operational command, five air bases, a logistics base, an air defence brigade, an air defence regiment and an ISR brigade. Reserve forces include one air base and two airfields. In 2022, the Romanian Air Force employed 11,700 personnel. The RoAF is part of NATO and plays a role in aerial warfare.

Photo Credit: iStock.com/Icva2