Story ID: 430_Satcom Direct.doc
Satcom Direct enhances cabin, cockpit communications
By: Ian Sheppard
Caption: The U.S. communications provider offers equipment to make the most of satellite connectivity.
Word Count: 1058
Satellite Beach, Florida-based Satcom Direct (Stand 2010) has come to LABACE to promote its various satellite communications services for the cabin and the flight deck in the region, to an audience that is probably not that familiar with its rapidly-developing capabilities.

At the EBACE show in Geneva this past May the company took a major step forward when it launched GlobalVT, a service that allows users travelling on business aircraft to use their smartphones using a satcom link anywhere in the world, via onboard WiFi and an App–effectively giving them an onboard 3G service anywhere they go. Therefore those at the other end receiving texts and calls can see what number is contacting them, which is unique for a satcom offering. GlobalVT is available for an annual license and a monthly fee, and users also pay roaming charges incurred for the phone calls andtexting, but this is all handled and billed by Satcom Direct.

The service uses an onboard Satcom Direct Router (SDR) linking to Inmarsat SwiftBroadband or ViaSat Yonder. Initially the app was only available for Apple devices, but just before LABACE Satcom Direct launched the Android version of the app.

SDR routers, which can be fitted in the cabin or the avionics bay, are being rolled out rapidly to the worldwide business aircraft fleet, according to the company, with more than 100 aircraft now fitted and able to use GlobalVT. Satcom Direct is working with aircraft manufacturers to obtain Supplementary Type Certificates (STCs) allowing SDRs to be installed–at the end of June Gulfstream became the latest to receive approval (from the U.S. FAA), for new or in-service G450s and G550s.

The SDR also uses data compression and acceleration to make best use of the satcom bandwidth. In the air, it interfaces with ViaSat’s Ku-band and Honeywell’s SwiftBroadband systems, and is designed to work with future connectivity systems such as Ka-band. The router also supports mobile applications for onboard cabin services, including moving map and flight tracker, command and control of satellite links and real-time connection statusreporting.

Gulfstream’s company-owned service centers have exclusive rights to perform the work, and the aircraft manufacturer is pursuing similar STCs to install the SDR in G650/G650ERs, GVs and GIVs.

At EBACE, Satcom Direct was running demonstrations of the GlobalVT service aboard a Dassault Falcon 50 jet that was on static display, where AIN was able to participate. John Peterson, director of new product development, quickly connected to the system via Wi-Fi on his smartphone and then exchanged texts and a phone call with Ken Bantoft, Satcom Direct’s vice president of technologies and development, who was standing outside on the ramp. Connection time and voice quality were bothexcellent, AIN’s reporter found.

The system uses Satcom Direct’s proprietary voice codec designed for aircraft communications over satellite networks, minimizing problems associated with latency and providing clear voice quality. Satcom hasn’t made prices public, but chief commercial officer Chris Moore said the license and monthly fee vary depending on various service plans. The SDR router costs $35,000 and weighs 8.6 pounds, and installation requires three days to a week.

FlightDeck Freedom

Meanwhile Satcom Direct also offers a service called FlightDeck Freedom (FDF) which provides future-proof datalinks with “features and functionality” including clearances, weather, trip planning and monitoring onboard connectivity status. Satcom Direct said that FDF helped aircraft to become compliant with the upcoming Future Air Navigation System (FANS 1/A) datalink standard, while also offering other datalink capabilities for business aircraft pilots.

Satcom Direct recently announced that FDF now supports Rockwell Collins CMU-1000 datalink systems as well as aircraft equipped with a Universal Avionics UniLink UL-800/801 Communications Management Unit (CMU) operating simultaneously with the Honeywell AFIS DMU. The company said this would provide “a simplified upgrade path” for legacy AFIS DMU equipped aircraft to become FANS compliant. FDF supports all FANS/Link 2000+ equipment and will be “compatible with future upgrades to other avionics,” according to Satcom Direct.

It added that the UniLink UL-800/801 CMU upgrades are certified for installation on Gulfstream GV, GIV, GIVSP models and additional aircraft types will be certified in the future.The mode of communication is flexible and can be adjusted to meet the needs of the individual aircraft. Certification of the CMU-1000 system is expected late this year for Falcon 50EX/2000/2000EX and Challenger 604 aircraft.

Along with bringing FANS capabilities to appropriately equipped aircraft, the FDF interface enables FANS operational testing. These capabilities include testing to validate configurations and to troubleshoot FANS functionality and crew procedures–from any location, anytime. Access to the FANS testing facility is offered at no additional charge as part of the FlightDeck Freedom subscription. FANS functionality can be tested via the VHF, Inmarsat or Iridium networks using Satcom Direct’s simulated ATS test facility; users conduct the free testing at their convenience, regardless of their location.

“FANS brings great benefit to business aviation, providing operators the ability to utilize optimized transatlantic routes,” said Jim Jensen, founder and CEO of Satcom Direct. “This upgrade to the FDF datalink offering significantly expands the aircraft types that can utilize FANS and brings peace of mind to operators as they make the transition. This is all part of our strategy to deliver the latest technologies to reduce pilot workload and contribute to more efficient aircraft operations.”

To encourage more operators to upgrade their datalink terminal equipment for FANS, Satcom Direct is offering free access to its FlightDeck Freedom datalink services on new installations, for a limited time.

The company commented to AIN just before LABACE: “Satcom Direct is committed to improving efficiency of aircraft operators, worldwide. This expansion of our FlightDeck Freedom datalink service, along with our local presence in Brazil via our São Paulo office location, illustrates our commitment to supporting the implementation of FANS in the Latin America business aviation market,” said Ewerton Libanio, managing director of sales for Satcom Direct, Brazil.

Satcom Direct’s headquarters and primary operations center is located in Satellite Beach, Florida, and it has additional office locations in the United States; Canada; Farnborough, UK; Dubai, UAE; Geneva, Switzerland; Hong Kong; Melbourne, Australia; Moscow, Russia and São Paulo, Brazil.