FAA Approves Avionica's satLINK as World's First Safety Service Qualified Air Transport Iridium SATCOM

MIAMI, Aug. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Avionica announced the FAA issuance of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for satLINK MAX, the industry's first Iridium based ATS SATCOM for air transport aircraft.  Avionica also announced United Airlines as the launch customer.  The FAA granted design approval for the Avionica satLINK MAX SATCOM communications system as the first RTCA/DO-262A compliant voice and data SATCOM system for air transport aircraft. This confirms satLINK MAX's compliance with the FAA's Advisory Circular AC20-140B guidance for Data Link Communication systems supporting Air Traffic Services (ATS) and its adherence to the stringent RTCA/DO-262A Minimum Operational Performance Standard required to support FANS 1/A over Iridium operations (FOI).

The Supplemental Type Certificate was issued for the installation of Avionica's satLINK MAX solution on all Boeing 777-200, -300, -300ER, -200LR and 777F series aircraft. Additional aircraft type approvals are pending.

"We designed satLINK MAX from the ground up based on empirical data gleaned from our customers operations.  satLINK MAX improves every criteria of our original miniQAR satLink Classic installed on over 700 aircraft.  It also directly enables further capabilities of Avionica's complimentary products such as AID cockpit devices," said Anthony Rios, Vice President of Engineering at Avionica.

In addition to enabling FANS 1/A over Iridium, Avionica's satLINK MAX customers can leverage its four Iridium transceivers to simultaneously provide multiple voice and data services with a single dual-element antenna.  Typical applications include two flight deck voice channels, one FOI datalink channel, and one voice and data capable cabin service channel.

"Building this product, completing installation and certification testing in Hong Kong, while complying with the strict aviation industry standards is a true indication of Avionica's capabilities and thoroughness of its certification processes. We demonstrated that satLINK MAX is the optimal solution for today's airlines data connectivity challenges," stated Simone Drakes, FAA DER and Avionica's Director of Aircraft Engineering.

Raul Segredo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Avionica, added, "This STC marks a new milestone in Avionica's successful trajectory of over twenty years developing innovative and robust data and communication management solutions. Our team is proud to have installed avionics in over 7,000 aircraft, with over 500 customers worldwide and 15 FAA STC's.  And yet, there is even more to come.  satLINK MAX incorporates additional functionality to fulfill emerging Onboard Network System (ONS) requirements such as EFB AID, QAR, ADL, and 4G access to Avionica's global wireless data network."

About Avionica
Avionica is the world's leading data collection and data transmission manufacturer, producing innovative, affordable solutions that are revolutionizing air transportation.  Over 22 years, Avionica has earned 15 Supplemental Type Certificates from the FAA and multiple certification approvals from Canada, EASA and China and is approved on over 250 different models of aircraft under the FAA's Approved Model List (AML).  Avionica created the market for value oriented aerospace data equipment with the design, certification and delivery of the Mini Quick Access Recorder (QAR) — the industry's first miniature data recording device.  Avionica applies advances in technology, business practices and AS9100C manufacturing processes to create products that are twice as capable at half the weight.  For more information please email us at [email protected] and visit our website at www.avionica.com.

Press Contact:
Giselle Samuely
Avionica
786-544-1180
[email protected]

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SOURCE Avionica, Inc.