RSINet FAQ’s
January 18th, 2008
I have to admit…I knew airport sponsors were looking for a reliable alternative to the high cost of NADIN service, but I didn’t anticipate all the e-mails and requests for additonal information we would get within days of announcing the product. So, here are answers to some of the questions we’ve gotten about RSINet. We’ll post more as they come in.
Tom Nichols
Owner
Remote Systems Integration
Q: Why can’t I use the Internet to distribute my AWOS data?
The short answer is security. The FAA is very rightly concerned about the security of their network systems. They will not allow internet delivery of any data which ultimately ends up in their system. And, with very few exceptions, any weather data using internet delivery is advisory only, meaning that pilots cannot make landing decisions based on that data source. Any graphics display, unless it is directly connected to the AWOS in an approved FAA configuration must be labeled advisory only and is not for navigation.
RSINet is the result of many hours of performance and certification testing with the FAA Technical Center. In order for RSINet to become FAA certified for connection into NADIN, the system was required to pass all FAA technical, security, and performance benchmarks.
Q: Is my AWOS NADIN ready?
That depends on the model. NADIN output is standard on all All-Weather (Qualimetrics) 900 series systems, but it is optional on Vaisala systems. If you have a Vaisala system you should check with your AWOS technician to determine if you need to install a NADIN interface “ISI”. The older NEXWOS units can be made to output NADIN with some configuration changes. If your AWOS is NADIN equipped, there still may be some configuration changes that must be performed ONLY by your technician of record.
Q: My AWOS is self-contained out in the field. Will RSINet work with this system?
Yes. In fact, the RSINet network interface will fit inside the AWOS cabinet. However, there may still be some configuration changes and additional hardware needed, See the above answer.
Q: Does my AWOS technician have to install this equipment?
No. RSINet will install it, or if you wish you can do it yourself in about 5 minutes. If the NADIN port needs to be enabled or a NADIN interface installed in the AWOS itself, that task must be performed by the technician of record or under their direct supervision.
Q: Does the system require any maintenance?
No. All routine testing and diagnostics are done in real-time over the network. If we determine the device has failed, we’ll simply stop by and replace it, or send you another one.
Q: How can you offer free on-site maintenance?
Easy. The RSINet hardware usually doesn’t break. It’s certainly more reliable than the average computer, and chances are your AWOS will have more problems than the network interface. Not only that, RSI is one of the larger AWOS and navaids maintenance companies around. We service over 100 aviation and communications sites in 13 states from the Rockies to the east coast. Chances are pretty good we’ve got a technician pretty close anyway. Plus, we think it’s just good customer service.
Q: How about telephone support?
You’ll get a live (although possibly sleepy) person 24 hours a day, or a call back within minutes. We are on-call 24 hours a day for our navaids, and you get the benefit of that service! Plus, RSINet techs can monitor and diagnose the network and your site from anywhere in the network service area.
Q: Do you have any special deals?
You bet. Ask us, especially about out RSINet / AWOS maintenance contract packages.
Q: My Fire Department / DOT / Emergency Services want the AWOS data. Can they get it?
They can, in a variety of ways. Most importantly, they can get the AWOS data in real-time as soon as the AWOS spits it out. That’s an exclusive feature of RSINet!
Q: Who are you guys?
Remote Systems Integration has been in business since 1992. With a combined 75 years of AWOS and navaids experience between the staff, we install and service AWOS, Instrument Landing Systems, marker beacons, lighted landing aids, NDB’s and much more. RSI consists of pilots, retired FAA technicians, and electronics experts with decades of experience. We have completed projects for customers such as NASA, the United States Air Force, DOD, Homeland Security, Chevron, and a host of other companies and airports.
RSI wins South Carolina AWOS contract
January 7th, 2008
Remote Systems Integration has won a contract to maintain and repair the SC Department of Aeronautics’ Automated Weather Observation Systems statewide. The multi-year contract will cover all existing systems and will add newly installed systems as the manufacturer’s warranty maintenance runs out. This contract expands on RSI’s prior installation and maintenance activities in SC and is the first statewide AWOS maintenance program for RSI. To support this contract, RSI has added an additional FCC and FAA certified contract technician based in Columbia, SC to support emergency service on the state’s AWOS units. With this addition, RSI now maintains close to 80 AWOS units across more than a dozen states.
Merry Christmas 2007
December 2nd, 2007
Thanks to our customers, once again this has been a busy year. RSI has installed over 30 new remote sensing sites, increased our airfield maintenance business by about 30%, and developed the RSINet AWOS data delivery network…and I haven’t had time to update the web site….but in any case, thank you to all our friends and have a Merry Christmas!
RSINet approved for FAA NADIN connectivity
March 31st, 2007
Remote Systems Integration announces RSINet, a “State of the Art” network solution to connect non-federal Automated Weather Observation Systems to the FAA’s National Aerospace Data Interchange Network (NADIN), allowing the nation’s air traffic control system , the National Weather Service, and pilot briefing services across the nation access to your AWOS data.
RSINet is affordable, reliable, and offers what no other NADIN provider offers: REAL-TIME AWOS data delivered to the customer’s traffic managment centers, state monitoring centers, or any internet enabled customer site. RSINet also offers a graphical web page for each airport in addition to standard NADIN connectivity.
RSINet technology uses wireless IP networking for a reliable broadband connection to allow future services and upgrades. The RSINet technology is unaffected by weather outages plaguing satellite-based systems and leaves dial-up based data collection in the dust.
The RSINet system is rolling out NOW, and will be available soon.
For more information on RSINet, contact Remote Systems Integration at info@remotesys.com.
RSI’s total airfield electronics services at work in 2007
January 13th, 2007
GNF on board
Grenada, MS airport (GNF) has become the latest airfield to take advantage of RSI’s expertise in overall airfield electronics maintenance by awarding RSI the contract to maintain the GNF ASI localizer, glide slope, marker beacon, and DME along with the field’s Vaisala AWOS. As always, this package includes consulting and available maintenance service on facilities such as the PAPI and other lighted landing aids.
At Millington Regional Jetport (NQA), work is underway to replace some of the incandescent obstruction lights with the new LED fixtures from Dialight. These units require virtually no maintenance and cost less to operate. During the first phase of this project, RSI will replace fixtures which require navaid shutdown for relamping, thus reducing he downtime of those facilities. Also at NQA, work will begin soon on a rewire project to bring the field’s Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lighted landings to modern standards.
RSI busy in Texas and the southwest
The Texas office is in the process of installing two AWOS sites, adding to our existing AWOS client base in Texas. More installations are in the works for Arizona and Texas. In the southeast, Kentucky, Mississippi and Florida installations are scheduled. These AWOS installations will feature the All-Weather 900 series AWOS.
Merry Christmas
December 10th, 2006
As the end of the year draws to a close, all of us at RSI would like to say “Thank you” to our customers once again for yet another record year of growth. ..and there’s more to come in 2007.
May you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2007!
RSI rolls out new Web site
November 21st, 2006
Welcome to the new Web home of Remote Systems Integration! Thanks to our Web host Vantek and John Pratt for much help on the new site!
RSINet is coming.
October 1st, 2006
Forget everything you have heard about the high cost of AWOS data collection and distribution. Very soon, Remote Systems Integration will announce a new state of the art AWOS data collection network light-years ahead of any other system. Sending your data to NADIN and the FAA is only the beginning….
Remote Systems Integration, Pappas Technologies merge to form full-service airfield electronics maintenance solution.
October 21st, 2005
Millington, TN – Remote Systems Integration (RSI) has announced it will merge with Pappas Technologies of Atlanta, Texas to offer full-service airfield navigation, communications, and allied systems maintenance.
“The addition of Tevis Pappas and his experienced company will help RSI expand and provide premier service to the aviation interests on all type of electronic landing aids and weather systems”, said RSI owner Tom Nichols.
“With over twenty years experience in servicing electronic airport systems, combined with formal degrees in electrical engineering and physics, we are very excited to join the RSI team and look forward to providing excellent services to the aviation industry.” commented Mr. Pappas.
The first maintenance contract for the new company has been signed, as RSI begins commissioning and maintenance activities on the Comanche Ranch, Texas airport automated weather observation system (AWOS). The combined company holds maintenance agreements with over 75 airports from Florida to Pennsylvania, and from South Carolina throughout Texas and the southern Rocky Mountain region.
The merger will allow RSI to expand airport technical services to general communications, lighted landing aids, pilot controlled lighting, and contract tower maintenance services in addition to the successful navigation and weather systems services currently provided.
A note about Automated Weather Observation System maintenance:
June 5th, 2005
There’s been a lot of talk lately in airport management circles about the supposedly high cost of care and feeding of the general aviation airport AWOS. We’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way, and we have dozens of satisfied airport managers who can attest to that. Our philosophy is simple: For a fair price, we’ll keep tabs on your AWOS, making sure all of the FAA required inspections are performed to specs and that your facility is safe for air navigation. If your AWOS breaks, we’ll fix it with no hassles. Our technicians are highly trained and experienced. That means we don’t spend hours figuring out what’s wrong with your AWOS. Chances are we’ve seen the problem before elsewhere. If not, we know the system inside out and we’ll troubleshoot it quickly, saving you hours and possibly days of downtime. What’s more, we carry a large inventory of parts everywhere we go so there’s a good possibility we can repair a minor problem immediately. Many of the contractors bidding today’s AWOS projects are coming directly to RSI for commissioning and maintenance services because they know our proven track record.
We also know it doesn’t make sense to hire one firm for AWOS maintenance and another to maintain the NDB or other radio Navaids. Some of the other AWOS companies can’t do Navaids; they don’t have the expertise. RSI offers extremely affordable package deals on AWOS and navaid maintenance. NDB’s. ILS and DME as well as lighted landing aids and tower communications and logging equipment…we can do it all.
We offer flat rate all-inclusive maintenance contracts, or a “pay as you go” plan to suit your budget. So before you get upset over all you’ve heard about expensive AWOS maintenance, give us a call.