Panel Mounted Control Head Receives STC From FAA
Blue Sky Network, which
specializes in providing two-way linking and managing aviation
assets via satellite, announced Monday a new satellite-based,
panel-mounted control head for aircraft. The ACH1000 adds cockpit
integrated voice capabilities as well as short code messaging to
its D1000-Series global satellite flight tracking products. The
ACH1000 has been STC'd by the FAA.
"The ACH1000 offers pilots and operations a quantum jump in the
cost/benefit of SATCOM," said Jon Gilbert, president of Blue Sky
Network. "This functionality has not been available before in
satellite-based communications at anywhere near this price. This
unique solution for air to ground connection creates enormous
efficiencies and concurrently provides a new level of safety."
According to Blue Sky, the ACH1000 provides global voice and
messaging capability to and from the cockpit via satellite. Its
voice integration features also allows pilots to easily dial
anywhere in the world, use speed dial numbers, or receive calls
directly through the audio controller and thus directly to the
headset. Pilots can be in easy voice contact with dispatch centers
or other operation offices.
The ACH1000 utilizes Blue Sky Network's recently announced
SkyRouter, an interactive Web portal with detailed global mapping
for tracking transportation assets anywhere on earth. Working with
SkyRouter, the new control head also allows users to send and
receive user defined short code messages. At the push of a button,
pilots can send messages from the aircraft signaling special events
such as: take-off, landing, request weather update, stopping for
fuel, etc.
From the ground, dispatch or other parties may send free form
messages via SkyRouter's management interface directly to the
aircraft. The short codes are completely configurable and unique to
each user.
The ACH1000 operates in combination with the Blue Sky Network
D-Series products operating over the Iridium satellite
constellation. Features of the D-Series include flight tracking,
two-way email messaging, sensor data/telemetry reporting as well as
voice. The ACH1000/D1000 seamlessly integrates with SkyRouter, and
is therefore linked with the aircraft anywhere in the world with
Internet access. All Blue Sky subscribers have access to SkyRouter,
where they can view and utilize integrated online flight tracking,
messaging, position reports, account information and much more.