OSLO, Norway, 23 Aug. 2016. Marlink and IDG Europe have completed trials of the new Smalltrack portable tracking system on a fixed-wing aircraft operated by Scandinavian Air Ambulance and a helicopter operated by Scandinavian MediCopter in Sweden.
Marlink’s Smalltrack next-generation, location-based Iridium tracking device features a compact, lightweight, and mobile design offering user-friendly operation and installation, officials say. Operating on the Iridium satellite network, the system can be used in any location without connecting to external power or antenna sources. It can be online in minutes, conveniently providing accurate tracking to support flight safety and logistics, in addition to manual and automatic emergency alerting, they add.
The fixed-wing aircraft Smalltrack testing took place on a Beech Super King Air 200 over a period of five days. Smalltrack was placed on the glare shield of the aircraft and position reports closely monitored. The trial proves that convenient placement on the glare shield does not affect the ability to transmit or receive data. During the trial, tracking data was made available through the Smalltrack online interface.
The helicopter testing was aboard an AS 365 Dauphin N2, with daily flights for three weeks. Throughout the testing all data reports were effectively transmitted. As with the fixed-wing testing, Smalltrack was set to start-up using the built in accelerometer so it does not have to be included in the preflight check list, which saves the pilot time before taking off.
“Working closely with Marlink, Scandinavian Air Ambulance and Scandinavian MediCopter we have demonstrated Smalltrack’s ability to deliver highly reliable asset tracking on small aircraft,” says Håkan Österhed, VP aero sales, IDG Europe. “The system itself is incredibly easy to install and because everything is built-in, it can operate faultlessly without any external connections.”
“Highly compact, mobile and reliable, Smalltrack is the ideal ‘carry-on’ tracking device for small fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters,” adds Danny Côté, president enterprise, Marlink. “The trials with our partner IDG Europe demonstrate the convenience of the system for small aircraft pilots, who will benefit from the added layer of safety and security tracking provided, without having to add another item to pre-flight check lists.”
Marlink, a provider of business critical communication solutions for customers operating in remote environments, has 600 employees and 27 offices worldwide. The company is a technology-independent satellite communication and digital solutions provider. Marlink’s multiband communication services covering Ku- Ka-, C-, and L-band extended with mobile and terrestrial links, enable over 200,000 customers to operate in an ever smarter, safer, and more profitable way, officials say. Marlink’s strategy is to deliver the benefits of a digital and connected world to its customers’ remote operations. Marlink leverages strong partnerships with all major satellite network operators to deliver communication solutions direct to the customer and via a network of service provider partners.
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Global Aerospace Technology NetworkIntelligent Aerospace, the global aerospace technology network, reports on the latest tools, technologies, and trends of vital importance to aerospace professionals involved in air traffic control, airport operations, satellites and space, and commercial and military avionics on fixed-wing, rotor-wing, and unmanned aircraft throughout the world.
