Electronic Security Access Helps Keep Turboprops Secure
Kansas State University's Advanced Manufacturing Institute
teamed with AirLock Aviation Security Systems and Hawker Beechcraft
to develop a new electronic security access system for King Air 200
and 300 series turboprop aircraft.
The FAA has issued a STC for the system, which is available
exclusively through Hawker Beechcraft's Rapid Aircraft Parts
Inventory and Distribution (RAPID) supply network.
Working in cooperation with Hawker Beechcraft, K-State's
Advanced Manufacturing Institute assisted AirLock, of Vienna, OH
with part drawings, product development and certification testing
leading to the STC. The Advanced Manufacturing Institute also
developed and helped execute comprehensive business, marketing and
branding plans.
"AirLock is an innovative electronic system that enables
controlled access to a specified area of an aircraft and an audit
trail of all events," said Bret Lanz, commercialization manager,
K-State Advanced Manufacturing Institute.
As a department within K-State's College of Engineering and a
Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation Center of Excellence, the
Advanced Manufacturing Institute provides engineering and business
solutions to the aviation industry. AirLock cylinders replace
mechanical locks and the system can be installed in a matter of
hours.
It is comprised of a lock cylinder, programmable key and
software used to control the system. Power to open the cylinders
comes from key batteries. AirLock cylinders do not contain a keyway
and cannot be picked like traditional mechanical access locks. It
is not possible to duplicate a key for use in the lock, although
multiple keys can be programmed to access a lock and each key
creates its own unique record of events.
"K-State's Advanced Manufacturing Institute went to great
lengths to ensure the marketplace success of AirLock," said Richard
Hale, president and chief executive officer of AirLock Aviation
Security Systems. "K-State was a valuable resource during our early
stage market assessments and in determining our most effective
market launch strategies. Additionally, the institute's engineering
resources were of great service during our FAA certification
efforts. We look forward to continuing our relationship."
In addition to the advanced capabilities of the Advanced
Manufacturing Institute, K-State is an elite top 5 five aviation
university with a fleet of 50 learning aircraft and more Master
Certified Flight Instructors than any other college or university
in the country.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.02.24)
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