MCLEAN, Va., 11 July 2011. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials authorized aircraft operating in oceanic airspace to use the
Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) satellite data service for
air traffic control (ATC) communications.Involved in the study, validation, and in-flight testing of the system were the FAA's
Performance-based Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee Communications Working Group (PARC CWG), airlines, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA).The decision provides business and commercial aircraft a cost-efficient alternative for implementing Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A communications, Iridium officials say. "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," stated Dave Nakamura, PARC chairman. "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.""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)," stated Margaret Gilligan, FAA associate administrator for aviation safety. "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 installation."The FAA accepted the recommendations of the PARC following completion of an operational evaluation of FOI technology. Other ANSPs are expected to follow the FAA's lead and accept Iridium as an option.
