West Star Aviation has begun offering the supplemental type certificate for Latitude Technologies’ DL150 Satellite Data Unit (SDU) and Iridium antenna on Bombardier Global 5000/5500, Express, XRS, and 6000/6500 ultra-long-range business jets.
A technical standard order (TSO) 159b approval unit, the DL150 is an ARINC 741 SDU for the Iridium network that meets FAA advisory circular AC20-140B guidance for aircraft required to be future air navigation system (FANS) 1/A+ compliant. West Star said the compact Iridium installation allows the connection of FANS/controller-pilot data link communications out of VHF coverage after the original Inmarsat system has been removed. It is a solution for operators that want to remove the Inmarsat system and replace it with a new, non-safety services Ka-band connectivity solution.
Installation takes four weeks and can be performed at West Star’s four primary MROs in East Alton, Illinois; Grand Junction, Colorado; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Perryville, Missouri.