One of the UK’s leading private aviation companies has combined new and existing technologies to complete a substantial overhaul of its security operation.

The £50,000 upgrade has enabled Multiflight in Yorkshire to meet recent and demanding changes in Department of Transport regulations.

Not only that, Multiflight’s security overhaul has achieved significant cost savings, demonstrating how its approach can be applied to other industry sectors – retail, manufacturing, commercial – where businesses occupy large, complex sites with a high volume user-base.

The whole of the upgrade was developed by security provider Keybury Fire and Security which responded to Multiflight’s brief to provide a cost-effective and flexible solution capable of taking on future upgrades easily.

Multiflight was established almost 20 years ago and operates a 5-acre site adjoining Leeds Bradford International Airport. It has 270 approved users of the facility, including 70 of its own staff, Yorkshire Air Ambulance personnel and deals with 3,000 flights a year.

Its customers include leading business figures from major Yorkshire companies and private jet owners who use the site to house their aircraft. More than 30 aeroplanes are kept in four hangars including two air ambulances and a Boeing 737.

Continued investment in security has enabled Multiflight to accommodate high profile clients such as the Queen and Prince Philip who used the VIP facility after a recent visit to the region during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

So what has been the Multiflight/Keybury approach? Central to the brief was the desire to maximise the use of existing equipment while at the same time investing in new technology to deliver 21st century site security, taking into account the array of buildings and services on the site including: executive passenger and aircraft handling, aircraft management, fuelling, hangarage, aircraft charter, maintenance and flight training.

Keybury developed a hybrid system that enabled this to happen, with analogue CCTV equipment installed just five years ago now integrated with the latest in high definition digital camera technology.

Keybury chose to install the Paxton Net2 access control system which covers 13 doors and 26 card readers that lead into areas classed as ‘airside’. The access pass management system delivers a complete audit trail of movements by those authorised and carrying access passes.

The system incorporates CCTV where 10 new 180-degree high definition panoramic cameras have been installed, improving and replacing fixed cameras. These cameras provide general overview observation as well as close ups at ‘pinch points’ – entrances and exits.

Camera sites have been carefully chosen and infra-red technology is in place where necessary. All footage being captured is in real time and provides number plate as well as facial recognition. And whatever is caught on camera can be viewed by those authorised through their PCs, smartphones and Ipads – wherever they may be.

Returning to the theme of combining new and older equipment and infrastructure, Keybury was able to use existing underground analogue CCTV cables as part of the new IP system network, minimising disruption during the project and furthermore, costs.

The new system is providing enhanced security for both Multiflight staff and its customers, says managing director, Steve Borrowdale, “The very nature of our operation means we need optimum security, not only so that we are compliant with industry regulations, but because it is a vital aspect of our service to customers and our responsibility to staff.

“Our investment has delivered not only these aims, but significant cost savings thanks to Keybury’s innovative approach and experience.”

Keybury director Patrick Beebe, adds: “The Multiflight environment is not dissimilar to those of other sectors where a large site or building is involved with numerous access points and users. It’s a good example of how existing security measures can be enhanced with the latest technology to deliver an up-to-date, reliable and efficient security system.”