Image: NBAA
Aireon’s real-time, space-based global flight tracking is now up and running, the company announced on Monday, providing the first tracking system to cover the entire world, even polar regions and oceans. The system uses FlightAware’s intuitive technology interface and an aircraft’s ADS-B system to provide trackers with flight data—including origin, destination, flight plan and ETA. “We have a live solution that not only exceeds the [ICAO] recommendations for 2018, but also includes the components already ahead of the requirements for 2021,” said Aireon CEO Don Thoma. “We are extremely proud of the partnership we have cultivated with FlightAware, and through this partnership, space-based ADS-B is already operational through many airlines and aircraft operators.”
Aerion’s partners, such as Nav Canada, the Irish Aviation Authority, Iridium Communications and others, developed the system mainly with airlines in mind. However, properly equipped general aviation aircraft also will have access to the system. Rockwell Collins announced recently at the NBAA Convention in Orlando that they now offer Aireonspace-based ADS-B flight tracking to business aviation customers. The flight-tracking solution integrates Rockwell Collins’ ARINCDirectsolution and FlightAware’s terrestrial ADS-B network. Operators of general aviation aircraft won’t need to individually register their aircraft—search-and-rescue units will be able to pass along information about a missing airplane to Aireon specialists during a search. The system officially goes online Thursday.
