ARINC Direct has unveiled a premium flight following service available to ARINC direct subscribers as an option.  This dedicated flight following service delivers a new level of advanced flight information tailored to the needs of individual operators and flight plans.

ARINC Flight Coordinators take a proactive approach to flight planning, aircraft tracking, and pilot communications, providing customer flight crews with up-to-date information on events and conditions that might affect the safety, efficiency, or comfort of the flight. The Coordinators work hand-in-hand with the operator's own dispatcher or flight department to provide pre-flight, enroute, and post-flight support. 

"We developed this service following inquiries from our many experienced aviation customers," stated Dave Poltorak, ARINC vice President, Business Aviation Services. "Drawing on our information sources such as CDM and the NBAA General Aviation Desk, we can provide customers with a level of information and assistance they cannot find elsewhere."

ARINC Direct is the first aviation service provider to turn on a live CDM data exchange with the FAA, allowing its clients to receive early FAA air traffic projections and traffic data. In addition ARINC Direct clients receive higher take-off and landing priorities than non-CDM participants.

"We also work hand-in-hand with the NBAA's GA Desk and the ATC System Command Center to monitor the state of the National Airspace System," continued Poltorak. "As a result we have early knowledge of enroute flow constraints, anticipated or assigned reroutes, and airport demand. We can develop and present pilots with flight planning alternatives before and during flight, mitigating disruptions to flight schedules."

Dedicated flight following monitors events that might impact the flight before departure, and updates plans with new weather information, ATC initiatives, or relevant NOTAMS coordinating all changes with the flight crew. In flight the service provides up-to-the-minute weather along the planned route, forwards ETA updates to appropriate parties, and monitors enroute and destination air traffic conditions including arrival rates and rate trends. It can even suggest alternatives to these if necessary. For arrival the service can manage facility coordination, arrival logistics, and continuously update flight crews on any late-breaking news that may affect the arrival.

FMI: www.arinc.com