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Tag Archives: flight deck communications

About High Frequency Data Link (HFDL)

July 8, 2015
Business Aviation News
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Find out more about HFDL for commercial aviationAs most of the aviation world looks to satellite communications, let’s spare a thought for High Frequency Data Link, commonly known as HFDL. Primarily used for long-haul and trans-oceanic flights, when VHF line of sight communications is insufficient, HFDL is a HF data link protocol, operated by ARINC as a GLOBALink ACARS service via a ground network of HF stations, whose coverage spans much of the Earth’s surface.

More robust than voice communications, HFDL transmissions are often used by the military and on board aircraft, HFDL integrates seamlessly with the flight management systems.

Recent developments in software for HFDL means that the service offers comparable message success rates to VHF and satellite datalink.

New Aviation eBook Launched at Paris Air Show

June 20, 2015
Business Aviation News
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Rockwell Collins' New eBook | Download HereA new eBook was launched earlier this month to coincide with the Paris Air Show. The new book, entitled, ‘Harnessing the Power of Aviation’s Information Age’ shares insights into the ways that the latest technology can be utilised to streamline and secure the information that flows between modern aircraft and ground-based operational departments.

The book, authored by industry experts from Rockwell Collins, addresses the future and existing opportunities for flight deck systems, connectivity and IFE and is introduced by Jeff Standerski, senior vice president of Information Management Services and Kent Statler, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Commercial Systems at Rockwell Collins.

The eBook is available and can be downloaded now. Click here for further information.

Rockwell Collins, Inmarsat and Hawaiian Airlines Team for Safety Evaluations

June 18, 2015
Business Aviation News
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Worldwide Cabin Services ProvidersRockwell Collins again hit the aviation headlines this week as they team with Inmarsat and Hawaiian Airlines to begin critical evaluations of Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband for safety services.

Rockwell Collins’ ARINC aviation communications network will play what is described as a ‘central role’ in Hawaiian Airlines’ evaluation of Future Air Navigation System (FANS) over SwiftBroadband.

For Hawaiian Airlines, the testing offers a wider opportunity for them to utilise SwiftBroadband for flight deck connectivity, passenger communications and cabin services.

ARINCDirect Service from Rockwell Collins with XipLink

June 14, 2015
Business Aviation News
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Find Out More About ARINCDirect's Business Aviation ServicesTesting has been completed of a new eRouter for optimised aircraft internet for business jets, it has been announced this week.

The new service, launched in a collaboration between Rockwell Collins’ ARINCDirect, XipLink and International Communications Group Inc. (ICG) will utilise XipLink XA appliance gateways on the ground, and deliver two-way ‘bracketed’ optimisation via XipLink’s Virtual modules to and from the aircraft. The results will offer high-speed connectivity for business aviation.

Aircraft Tracking Trials Launched by Rockwell Collins

May 13, 2015
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More Information About HFDL from Global Providers Rockwell Collins' ARINCA trial program has begun this week spearheaded by Rockwell Collins and involving nine global airlines to test the communications giant’s new ARINC MultiLink flight tracking service, which promised to be one of the most cost-effective solutions to the much debated problem for airlines.

Using multiple data sources, including satellite, HFDL performance data, ADS-C, radar, ACARS and EuroControl positioning data, the ARINC MultiLink reports the location of an aircraft reliably anywhere in the world.

Trials are being conducted in Europe, Middle East and Asia, North and Latin America. Participating airlines have been selected for their geographic diversity, according to Yun Chong, vice president of commercial aviation services for Rockwell Collins IMS.

Once the trials are completed, the service is expected to be widely available towards the end of 2015.

ODL Service to Provide Real-time Data Communications

April 1, 2015
Business Aviation News
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Providers of Aviation Data Link Communications SolutionsAn Oceanic Data Link (ODL) service will be provided by Rockwell Collins to enable real-time data communications between ATC and pilots in a seven-year contract awarded by the FAA this week.

The ARINC data link service will be established in the FAA control centres in New York, Oakland and Anchorage under the contract, which will enable the air traffic control centres to conduct standard procedures on Future Air Navigation System (FANS) equipped aircraft. FAA aircraft tracking will be made possible while out of radar range.

Rockwell Collins currently works in conjunction with the FAA for the Next Generation Air Transport System (NextGen) initiative, providing voice and domestic data link.

Rockwell Collins Introduce Global Flight Tracking Solution

March 9, 2015
Business Aviation News
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HFDL Data to Help Global Flight TrackingSince the tragic disappearance of flight MH370 last year, the call for a reliable aircraft tracking solution has been heard across the aviation industry from regulators and airlines alike.

Today Rockwell Collins announced the launch of their latest offering, promising to deliver a cost-effective, comprehensive solution utilising multiple data sources to ‘reliably report the location of aircraft anywhere in the world’.

Rockwell Collins’ ARINC messaging solutions have always been some of the most reliable in the world and used by airlines and operators globally for many years.

ARINC MultiLink will use a proprietary algorithm to merge six data sources, including:

  • ADS-B and ADS-C
  • High-Frequency Data Link (HFDL)
  • ACARS position reports
  • ASDI radar data
  • EUROCONTROL position information

In addition, Rockwell Collins’ ARINC MultiLink has been developed with the capacity to incorporate future data sources as they may become available.

Jeff Standerski, senior vice-president of Information Management Services for Rockwell Collins said, “In today’s global aviation environment, no single source of data is sufficient to track aircraft globally. By merging multiple data sources, many of which airlines already receive, we can automatically select the right combination of data feeds to allow airlines to pinpoint an aircraft’s location anywhere in the world, in the most economical way.”

Set to be available to airlines and operators in just a few short weeks, ARINC MultiLink will be offered as an add-on to Rockwell Collins’ current products or as a data feed that can be live-streamed to situational displays.

Aircraft Satellite Communications System Testing in UAE

March 3, 2015
Business Aviation News
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Other SATCOM Communications Providers for Business AviationA new system, launched by UAE satellite communications providers, Yahsat, has completed successful testing this week for their latest state-of-the-art aircraft satellite communications system for their client, Advanced Integrated Systems.

Including Ka-band airborne SATCOM, the new system promises an end-to-end solution. In a statement, Ali Al Hashemi, GM of YahService said, “At Yahsat, we strive to equip our customers with end-to-end satellite solutions that deliver the very latest in connectivity. The completion of the test with AIS exemplifies our commitment to bringing cutting-edge tools to our clients and constantly improving the speed and performance of our services.”

Aircraft satellite communications providers across the world are using the very latest technological breakthroughs to meet the ever-growing demands placed upon the industry for compliance and for seamless connectivity.

Business passengers need global coverage to ensure that business operations are maximised, taking place as effectively in the skies as they do in their ground-based office environments. The industry as a whole is responding to those needs.

EC Moves CPDLC Deadline to 2020

March 1, 2015
Business Aviation News
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Find Out More About CPDLCThe much-anticipated decision to move the CPDLC mandate deadline has been announced this week by the European Commission (EC). The new deadline will now be February 2020 for operators to equip their aircraft with Controller-Pilot Datalink Communications (CPDLC).

In a statement to Avionics magazine, Gzim Ocakolu, EC Directorate for Mobility & Transport policy officer said, “I can indeed confirm to you some recent important developments related to the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 29/2009.”

The news is welcomed across the industry following concerns regarding the technical issues related to the radio frequency environment and the infrastructure of the ground-based operations currently in place. It is these issues, discovered during an EC investigation into the implementation of DLS ground infrastructure, that have led to the delay for mandatory CPDLC installation, which would have been activated last month.

“Certain air navigation service providers have already taken mitigation measures, consisting of the restriction of DLS operations to aircraft equipped with specific avionics through so-called ‘white lists,’ so as to address potential safety impacts of those PAs in the operations of data link service,” the EC said.

Just 40% of operators would have been ready for the mandate, the investigation found, and only 70% of the necessary ground infrastructure would’ve been ready and fit for use. The implementation of CPDLC is critical to European airspace, with voice channels that have become heavily congested. Compliance will involve retrofitting aircraft with FANS, 1/A router, antenna, CPDLC interface and VHF Data Link Mode 2 radio (VDLM2).