Irish Aviation Authority Completes Space-Based ADS-B Site Acceptance Test

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MCLEAN, VA., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aireon has announced the successful completion of a service delivery point Site Acceptance Test (SAT) with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), Ireland's Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP). The test confirmed that IAA's service delivery point, a critical component for receiving global air traffic surveillance data, can process Aireon's space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data as soon as satellites are in orbit. This is a major step towards deploying space-based ADS-B in Irish airspace, in addition to implementing the Aireon Aircraft Locating and Emergency Response Tracking (ALERT) service. Aireon ALERT is a free global emergency-tracking service that will be hosted and operated by the IAA from its North Atlantic Centre in Ballygirreen on the West Coast of Ireland. 

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The first service for IAA will be augmented surveillance in 5 nautical mile (NM) and 3NM airspace.  Aireon's space-based ADS-B system will be used to augment ground surveillance sensors by contributing to IAA's air traffic management automation platform. 

"Both IAA's and Aireon's engineering teams have worked around the clock to ensure our systems are ready to ingest the ADS-B data from Aireon's global space-based aircraft traffic surveillance system," said Peter Kearney, director ATM operations & strategy, IAA. "With the successful Site Acceptance Test, we are ready to implement space-based ADS-B data as soon as it begins transmitting, and that will further enhance our safety and surveillance capability in Irish-controlled airspace."

Kearney added, "Our team in Ballygirreen is also simultaneously getting ready to deploy Aireon ALERT to provide aviation stakeholders with free emergency tracking of aircraft. Aireon ALERT will greatly assist airlines, search and rescue agencies, aviation authorities and ANSPs during emergency situations. At their request, on a 24-hour basis, we will be able to provide Aireon ALERT users, with the immediate 'last known' location of aircraft with tremendous accuracy. Aireon ALERT will offer precisely the kind of service being sought by ICAO, IATA, airlines and other aviation bodies to help locate missing aircraft as fast as possible."

Over the next several years, as more commercial aircraft in Europe are mandated to equip with an ADS-B transponder, IAA will increase its use of space-based ADS-B in its automation system. Following validation and the upgrading of the aircraft fleet to carry ADS-B capable transponders, space-based ADS-B could facilitate the decommissioning of redundant coverage ground sensors, delivering radar surveillance infrastructure and maintenance savings of up to 50 percent off current costs.

"IAA is a leader in international aviation and has made safety their number one priority. Not only are they moving ahead quickly and confidently with getting systems ready for space-based ADS-B, but they are putting their team whole-heartedly behind supporting emergency tracking and locating for the worlds' ADS-B equipped aircraft," said Vincent Capezzuto, chief technology officer and vice president of engineering, Aireon. "Aireon ALERT will be a public service to the industry, fully backed and operated by IAA. They have made it part of their mission critical operations to track aircraft in distress for our industry. We commend their dedication to Aireon's next generation technology."

Aireon's space-based ADS-B service is scheduled to be operational in 2018.  For more information about Aireon, visit Aireon.com.

About Aireon LLC

Aireon is deploying a global, space-based air traffic surveillance system for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipped aircraft over the entire globe. For the first time, Aireon will provide real-time ADS-B surveillance to oceanic, polar and remote regions, as well as augment existing ground-based systems that are limited to terrestrial airspace. Aireon will harness next generation aviation surveillance technologies and extend them globally to significantly improve efficiency, enhance safety, reduce emissions and provide cost savings benefits to all stakeholders. In partnership with leading ANSPs from around the world, NAV CANADA, ENAV, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and Naviair, as well as Iridium Communications, Aireon will have an operational, global, space-based air traffic surveillance system by 2018. For more information about Aireon, visit: www.aireon.com.

About IAA

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is a profitable commercial semi state company employing approximately 650 people at five main locations in Ireland. The IAA is responsible for the provision of Air Traffic Management (ATM) in Irish controlled airspace (covering some 451,000 square km) as well as aeronautical communications on the North Atlantic. The IAA operates one of the most modern ATM systems in the world and safely manages over one million flights every year. The IAA is amongst the most cost-effective providers of air navigation in Europe. The IAA is also responsible for safety and security regulation of the civil aviation industry and ensures that Irish civil aviation operates to the highest international safety standards. Its regulatory functions include aircraft airworthiness certification and registration; the licensing of pilots, air traffic controllers, radio officers and aerodromes licensing and aircraft maintenance organisations; aviation security oversight; and the approval and surveillance of air carrier operating standards and of general aviation including drones.

For more information please see www.iaa.ie

PRESS CONTACTS:

Jessie Hillenbrand
Aireon
+1 (703) 287-7452
[email protected]

Alec Elliott
Irish Aviation Authority
+353 86 822 3010
[email protected]

SOURCE Aireon

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