Astraeus, part of Northern Travel Holdings, has chosen AD Aerospace to supply FlightVu camera systems for four B757 aircraft.  One of the aircraft is being used by the rock band Iron Maiden for its Somewhere Back in Time World Tour 2008, and will have a combined passenger cargo configuration with five FlightVu cameras proving the pilots with views outside the cockpit and into the cargo area.  The other three aircraft will have standard CabinVu cockpit door monitoring systems, to give their pilots improved situational awareness by providing a clear view of activity outside the cockpit and in the adjacent galleys.

The Iron Maiden aircraft is undergoing conversion so that the rear of the passenger cabin is being adapted to cargo space to carry essential equipment for the bands spectacular stage performances.  Special fire safety gear is being fitted to this area and two FlightVu cameras will give comprehensive coverage so the pilots can visually monitor the cargo and check the effectively of fire suppressant should if becomes necessary.

“We have been very happy with the systems AD Aerospace has provided us with in the past so we naturally returned to them when we needed additional aircraft outfitted,” said Phil Rushton, Technical Director of Astraeus.  “Their flexibility and speed of response gives us the confidence that the Iron Maiden 2008 Tour airliner will be ready with is cockpit door and cargo surveillance system when we need it.”

CabinVu provides pilots with a forward looking, 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 from International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO Annex 6, JAR-OPS 1,1255 and EUROCAE ED-123.

“We are extremely pleased that Astraeus has returned to AD Aerospace for more camera security systems.  In particular that they are coming to us with the prestigious install on the Iron Maiden Tour Aircraft ,” said Mike Horne, Managing Director, AD Aerospace Ltd.  “The combi aircraft installation demonstrates the adaptability and convenience of video camera systems for safety and security applications.”

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, Corsairfly, Bangkok Airways, easyJet, Hainan, TUIfly, Sama and MyTravel amongst others.