Iridium… Advancement For Aircraft (SatCom)

[SatNews] The FAA’s communication requirements have now been met… Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) has announced that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will authorize aircraft operating in oceanic airspace to use the Company’s satellite data service for critical air traffic control communications. This marks completion of the FAA process evaluating aircraft flying in airspace under its jurisdiction to use Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A over Iridium (FOI) to meet communications requirements for air traffic control. The decision is an important milestone in providing corporate and commercial aircraft a cost-effective alternative for implementing FANS 1/A communications. Iridium’s fully global coverage provides the aviation industry with an attractive alternative for long-range voice and data communication systems.

In a letter to the FAA, Dave Nakamura, PARC chairman, wrote, “The global air transportation system will benefit from FANS 1/A over Iridium (FOI) as it provides a practical alternative for Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) to expand data link service and for commercial and business aviation markets to equip their fleets more quickly. FOI hardware is a significantly lower cost solution than other Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Service (AMS(R)S) alternatives. Iridium-based equipment is easier to retrofit, draws less power, is lighter in weight, and provides global coverage, including the Polar Regions.”

“Iridium is a natural choice for aviation safety communications because of our high reliability; global coverage; small, lightweight hardware and the significant cost savings to aircraft operators,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. “After five years of study, validation and extensive in-flight testing, we are thankful to all stakeholders that participated in this achievement – including the FAA’s Performance-based Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee Communications Working Group (PARC CWG), our extensive ecosystem of aviation partners, participating airlines, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA). We believe the FAA’s decision validates our position as the optimal satellite service for aircraft operational communications, and opens up significant new opportunities for Iridium in the aviation market. FOI, when implemented, has the potential to enable aircraft operators to reduce their capital investment by half.”

In a response to Nakamura, Margaret Gilligan, FAA associate administrator for aviation safety, wrote, “The FAA accepts FOI as a viable means for air traffic service communications, particularly in accordance with performance specifications for reduced oceanic separations based on automatic dependent surveillance-contract (ADS-C).” Gilligan added, “The Air Traffic Organization (ATO) will take appropriate action to remove restrictions on FOI operations in its oceanic airspace. The FAA will also advocate removal of any restrictions imposed by other air navigation service providers. FAA aircraft certification and flight standards offices will continue to certify aircraft with FOI installations…”

The FAA accepted the recommendations of the PARC following satisfactory completion of a year-long operational evaluation of FOI technology. Other ANSPs are expected to follow the FAA’s lead and accept Iridium as a viable option to meet communication needs in their own airspace in the near future. This FAA recognition marks one more milestone as Iridium wins broad acceptance in commercial aviation as a key component of any cockpit communications solution. Iridium’s aviation industry partners, and their myriad products and services, play a key role in increasing Iridium’s aviation customer base, which is now already more than 25,000 subscribers.