CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., Sept. 7, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Global ePoint, Inc. (Pink Sheets:GEPT), a leading manufacturer of security technologies for the aviation, law enforcement, commercial and industrial markets, today announced its aviation division, Global AirWorks, continues to anticipate increased demand internationally for its Cockpit Door Surveillance System (CDSS) in light of the recent Federal Aviation Division (FAA) ruling that makes flightdeck video monitoring optional for U.S. Airlines.
Previously, on March 15, 2002, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) -- the body that establishes standards for international civil aviation -- adopted standards for monitoring the area on the passenger side of the flightdeck door in response to the 9/11 attacks in New York and the growing threat of terrorism worldwide. "Means shall be provided for monitoring from either pilot's station the entire door area outside the flight crew compartment to identify persons requesting entry and to detect suspicious behavior or potential threat."
Additionally, on September 21, 2005, the FAA issued a "Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM)," that -- if enacted as written -- would have mandated a video-type Cockpit Door Surveillance System (CDSS) for all commercial passenger aircraft operating in the United States and would have required compliance of the mandate within two years of the rule.
Then, after two years of deliberation, the FAA filed its final rule on the flightdeck door monitoring system. It requires operators of passenger-carrying transport category airplanes used in domestic, flag and supplemental operations to provide a means for flight crews to visually monitor the door area outside the flightdeck. Additionally, for operations requiring the presence of flight attendants, they must provide a means to discreetly notify the flight crew of suspicious activity or security beaches in the cabin. This new rule is effective October 15, 2007.
While the long-awaited FAA final ruling does require having a means for visual assessment, it failed to mandate state-of-the-art CDSS video-based surveillance -- allowing instead various optional alternatives, ranging from a simple "peephole" in the reinforced cockpit door up to and including the use of vastly superior video surveillance.
"This is a rule that Global AirWorks had been eagerly anticipating for the past five years," states Global ePoint President and CEO, Daryl Gates. "We believed, that in order to comply with today's international standards ... and in accordance with the NPRM as written ... that a video monitoring device would be required."
The final FAA rule does allow passenger airlines to make the decision on whether an alternative method such as a peephole is adequate for a visual assessment, or whether video monitoring is necessary to make a proper assessment by the pilot in charge. Global AirWorks contends that video monitoring from the pilot's station provides a far safer -- and more secure -- solution for monitoring the area outside the flightdeck door than other simpler alternatives. "The peephole as a means of visual assessment can easily be defeated by any number of means," Gates adds.
"While we are disappointed with the FAA's final ruling for video monitoring systems, we hope many airlines within the United States will opt for the video monitoring systems, just as they have opted for other means available to them to ensure the safety of the flying public," observes Gates. "Germany, the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada and more recently India and Thailand have all mandated video monitoring systems ... and we believe there remains a very substantial opportunity for our CDSS system internationally as Governing Authorities of numerous nations and countries worldwide continue to provide stricter adherence to the standards provided by the ICAO."
While this rule by the FAA does not directly support the Company's current drive to achieve rapid near-term profitability, shareholders should note that several foreign governments now lead the way in choosing and employing state-of-the-art airborne security technology -- and many have already mandated the use of on-board video camera surveillance.
"Since Global AirWorks is the acknowledged industry leader, having installed over 800 CDSS systems worldwide, the Company is well positioned for future contracts as these foreign mandates continue to be implemented and applied," Gates concludes. "So, given the foreign mandates ... and with U.S. airlines having the option to install adequate visual equipment ... and considering their untiring commitment to passenger security ... overall, the prospects for this company's future are still extremely bright."
For more information: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/recently_published/
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for monitoring passenger side of flightdeck door published: ICAO Annex 6 Part 1, Chapter 13. Section 13.2.3 (b).
About Global ePoint's Aviation Division
The Company's Aviation division contains Global AirWorks, whose primary communications and security products include the Cockpit Door Surveillance System (CDSS), a digital electronic "flight bag" of all flight and on-board manuals and records for pilots, In Flight Entertainment products and Laptop Computer Power System for passengers and flight crews. AirWorks customers include airline major OEMs, such as AT&T Aviation, BAE Systems, L3 Communications, and Rockwell Collins; all major U.S. airlines; and all major international carriers, including ATA, Air China, Bombardier, Finnair, Varig, KLM, Lufthansa, and Cathay Pacific. AirWorks holds more than 40 supplemental type certificates (STC) certifying AirWorks as a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved manufacturer and installer for a range of interior equipment and systems for a variety of commercial aircraft flying worldwide.
About Global ePoint
Global ePoint designs, manufactures, sells and distributes digital video surveillance systems for the law enforcement, military, aviation and homeland security markets. On the cutting edge of digital technology, Global ePoint is developing new compression technologies and next-generation, secure network digital video systems and servers for a wide range of new markets, concentrating primarily on security and homeland defense applications. For more information, please visit http://www.globalepoint.com .
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, the Company's plans to (i) introduce cost cutting initiatives, (ii) conduct structural changes in its Tops Digital Technology division, (iii) conduct significant changes in the Company's executive management team, and (iv) obtain economic benefits from the aforementioned actions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual circumstances, events or results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences include, but are not limited to, (v) whether and when government mandates are implemented and individual decisions on the part of the world's airlines to install CDSS systems, (vi) whether significant cost savings will result from the planned strategic initiatives and other changes and whether those cost savings will accelerate Global ePoint's progress toward profitability, and (vii) the Company's ability to obtain additional working capital as and when needed. For a discussion of these and other factors that may cause actual events or results to differ from those projected, please refer to the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-KSB and quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB, as well as other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.