Avionica satLINK products are now flying on the Boeing 737, 757, and 767. The Boeing 787 Test Fleet will also launch with satLINK on board, and will soon be joined by Continental's Boeing 757 fleet.

In early January, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council approved standards and recommended practices (SARPs) that now permit Iridium Satellite to provide Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Services (AMSS) for commercial aircraft on transoceanic flights. Avionica's satLINK has also been AQP qualified by ARINC and VAQ qualified by SITA for data messaging.

"We are installing integrated satellite communications systems on aircraft never designed with SATCOM in mind," states Avionica Vice President Stylian Cocalides, "Changing economics have made aircraft like the 757 transoceanic carriers, and we're very excited about improving their communications capabilities. It's all about efficiency and safety."

"Avionica's system is finding increasing favor because it offers a unique level of avionics integration," noted Stylian, "Voice communications are entirely integrated into the aircraft's audio system using the audio panel, headset, and mic push-to-talk keys for control. satLINK also provides fully- integrated messaging functionality.

Popular ARINC 739 MCDUs (or even older- technology ARINC ACARS IDUs) serve as the interactive data messaging (and dialing) terminals. satLINK further interfaces with the ARINC 758 Communications Management Unit to transmit and receive standard data packages over the SITA or ARINC networks, working as a drop-in replacement for any ARINC 741 Satellite Data Unit (SDU).

Status messages are available on the EICAS system, and the cabin handset option is a uniquely functional feature -- it uses VoIP technology over the integrated Cabin Wireless LAN Unit (CWLU)."

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