I turned up an interesting bit of info today in the Thales website, it's a Press Release:-
@IS E-Services, a new solution from Thales Information Systems in partnership with Austro Control
Paris, 29/01/02
@IS E-Services (@ES), a new ANAIS module, is available allowing Civil Aviation Authorities (CAA) to offer briefing-services through Internet and Intranet based solution.
The @ES has been developed with the latest Internet technologies (Java Application Server, Web browser Client, Identification Systems...) and provides Self-Briefing and Home-Briefing features for private pilots and small aircraft operators. This new solution which includes a rich and powerful interface, suits non-specialist AIS (Aeronautical Information Services) users. It is also scalable and available on different platform allowing any aviation authority to provide such services.
Based on @ES, Austro Control will offer new Self-Briefing and Home-Briefing services starting in April 2002 to their customers.
This new solution is also being installed in Germany, South Africa, and United Kingdom, proving the strong position of THALES IS in the aeronautical environment.
If you look towards the end of Austro Control's bulletin at
http://www.austrocontrol.at/ais/english/bulletin.html
you will find the following:-
AUSTRO CONTROL IS PRESENTLY TESTING A SELFBRIEFING-SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWS TO FILE ATC-FLIGHTPLANS AND TO OBTAIN A COMBINED AIS AND MET-BRIEFING FROM SELFBRIEFING STATIONS AT THE AUSTRIAN AIRPORTS. SOON THIS SERVICE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE VIA INTERNET. PILOTS ARE INVITED TO TESTRUN THE SYSTEM AND GIVE US THEIR FEEDBACK. FOR DETAILS CONTACT AIS/ARO.
mmmmm...... wonder why it's 7 months late?
Mike