Honeywell will provide Air Methods, the nation's largest helicopter air ambulance company, with its single-box Sky Connect Tracker III satellite communications and helicopter tracking systems. Air Methods currently operates a fleet of 400 helicopters nationwide.
Under the deal, Honeywell will update the Sky Connect Tracker II systems on the Air Methods aircraft. The new system enables phone and text services through the Iridium satellite network, giving pilots the ability to stay in touch in areas without cellphone coverage. It also allows aircraft tracking and flight data monitoring anywhere in the world.
"In one product, operators get a robust solution that provides access to talk, text, data and flight data monitoring services, making sure that a helicopter can be tracked and can communicate with home anywhere in the world," said Tom Hart, Honeywell vice president defense and space. He also noted that the system would give Air Methods the ability to collect data from onboard systems to record and communicate aircraft performance and potential maintenance needs, enabling a safer and more efficient operation.