A long-anticipated partnership between Air New Zealand and Pyper Vision is poised to address the significant challenges posed by inaccurate fog forecasting within the aviation sector, with the potential to minimize passenger disruption. The national carrier will commence a beta trial of Pyper Vision’s innovative fog prediction technology, FogCast, across its entire network starting next month.
Captain David Morgan, Air New Zealand‘s Chief Operations, Integrity, and Standards Officer and Chief Pilot, acknowledged the inherent limitations of current fog forecasting methods. “The aviation industry has long grappled with the unreliability of fog prediction,” he stated. He emphasized that the accuracy of these forecasts varies considerably, leading to substantial operational challenges for airlines and consequent inconveniences for travelers. “The concept of ‘operational surety’ is paramount,” Morgan explained, highlighting the importance of providing passengers with confidence in their travel itineraries. He further noted that in instances where travel disruptions are unavoidable, airlines must be equipped to offer effective alternative solutions.
The collaboration between Air New Zealand and Pyper Vision originated from an initial approach made by Emily Blythe, Pyper Vision’s founder and Chief Executive, approximately seven or eight years ago. Morgan revealed that Pyper Vision’s pursuit of improved fog forecasting through novel approaches aligned with the airline’s commitment to innovation. Blythe, a pilot in training since her youth, has developed a sophisticated deep-learning model designed to enhance fog prediction accuracy and reduce the incidence of false alerts that lead to aircraft grounding and passenger delays.
Blythe elucidated the core issue plaguing current forecasting methods. “Analyses of fog forecasting accuracy in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom have revealed that roughly 70 percent of fog forecasts result in no actual fog formation,” she stated. “Consequently, the industry is frequently compelled to react to non-existent threats.”
Pyper Vision is currently engaged in fundraising efforts to facilitate the commercialization of its FogCast product. “We are actively engaging with existing investors,” Blythe disclosed. “We have successfully completed our first close of this funding round, which is a significant achievement.” She added that the capital raised, combined with research and development funding, will provide the company with sufficient resources to support the upcoming trials.
Blythe has secured London City Airport, a key hub for business travelers, as Pyper Vision’s inaugural international client following her recent trip to the United Kingdom. Alison FitzGerald, Chief Executive of London City Airport, expressed enthusiasm for the potential of Pyper Vision’s technology to revolutionize the aviation industry. “We are eager to receive our initial forecasts from our weather station within a few months, which will be instrumental in our operational planning,” FitzGerald affirmed.
The partnership between Air New Zealand and Pyper Vision is structured around a three-phase program. The initial phase focused on the development of the predictive model. The second phase involves the implementation of beta trials. The final phase will entail the commercial deployment of Pyper Vision’s product by Air New Zealand.
Morgan emphasized the critical importance of accurate fog forecasting for pilots, noting that any fog prediction necessitates precautionary measures, often rendering airports inoperable. The implementation of Pyper Vision’s technology aims to mitigate the disruptions caused by inaccurate fog forecasts, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction.
