Iridium SATCOM for Commercial Aviation
Reliable SATCOM for Safer Global Aviation
With commercial aircraft transporting people and goods around the world, reliable communications, especially satellite communications (SATCOM) is a must.
Our connectivity is used for safety operations on thousands of aircraft today, from business jets to Airbus and Boeing commercial airliners and global cargo operators enabling the safe transport of people and goods.
Commercial Aviation Overview
Big-name commercial airlines require robust connectivity for their fleet that enables critical communications for pilots and flight crew, and the reliable delivery of aircraft telematics and safety data.
We have been a leader in the industry for over 15 years and work alongside global regulators to help establish carriage requirements and standards.
These organizations include the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee (AEEC), Systems Architecture and Interfaces Subcommittee (SAI), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
How Our Network Supports Commercial Aviation
We are the only crosslinked satellite network that covers the entire planet with reliable, L-band satellite connectivity (including the polar regions). This makes communication possible in all global airspace, from any altitude and through adverse weather conditions.
The solutions for commercial aircraft feature:
- Low-gain, lightweight antennas that are solid state and use either electronic steering or omnidirectional technology.
- Small footprints that induce far less parasitic drag on the aircraft, helping cut down on fuel costs.
- Industry-standard bolt pattern that simplifies installation.
- Industry-leading manufacturers, offering end users choice and diversity of suppliers.
We Help Connect the Cockpit, the Crew and the Aircraft Itself
From helping pilots communicate with air traffic controllers on the ground to enabling accurate and truly global tracking capabilities, our aviation product and services are helping create a more connected global airspace.
Cockpit SATCOM
Primarily data-driven and supports non-safety applications, such as aircraft operations and flight information.
Graphical weather data, flight plan updates and navigation chart and terrain database updates need to be quickly shared with ground operations.
Flight Crew Communications
Massey Ferguson® Combine Harvester connected by the Appareo Gateway 370
In addition to the cockpit, we also connect the crew.
With these services, crew members can make voice calls, send messages and transmit critical in-flight group operations, such as passenger list management, in-flight credit card processing, inventory restocking, logistics management and equipment malfunction alerting.
Crew members are also able to make emergency calls for telemedicine purposes.
Aircraft Monitoring
While tracking aircraft is extremely important, there’s also a need to monitor onboard activity.
Our network connects aircraft technology that tracks the health of an aircraft through system monitoring and maintenance applications.
Operators can see which parts need maintenance and can intervene at the next destination. The ability to conduct proactive and preventative maintenance can greatly increase in-flight efficiencies and cut costs.
