Satellite AIRCOM Cockpit Voice
Real-time voice communication with cockpit crew, with this satellite communication voice service
Satellite AIRCOM Cockpit Voice provides routine and backup services for pilot communications with air traffic services (ATS) and aeronautical operational communications (AOC). Part of the Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Service (AMSS), it provides worldwide coverage for secure, instantly available, high-quality cockpit voice communication.
Overview
The ICAO FANS Committee recognized that voice services would remain an essential part of the air traffic control system as aircraft implemented data link.
A satellite communication voice service is most useful when dealing with unplanned, complex, low probability, but high-cost events, which have potential negative financial impact from aircraft diversions, flight cancellation and re-scheduling.
Benefits
Benefits include:
- Improved flight safety – cockpit crew can remain in touch with the ground throughout the flight
- Continuous monitoring
- Around-the-clock help desks, with a second level of regional support provided by AIRCOM Customer Support
Features
- Access to SITA's Cockpit Voice service and SITA’s passenger telephony and cockpit data link services
- Routine and backup services for pilot communications with ATS and AOC
- Automated dialling system fully supports industry ground-to-air security specifications
- Aircraft location appears in real time on a world map; users can select an aircraft from the map and contact it by phone easily
- Real-time discussion in unplanned or urgent situations that are too difficult to manage via data link
- Ground users can initiate a call without knowing the oceanic region in which the aircraft is flying
- Worldwide coverage (most useful outside of VHF radio coverage, where lower quality HF radio is used)
- Instant contact between ground staff and ATS agencies and aircrew via secure access to manage and control operational difficulties
- Provides a direct pilot/controller voice channel
- Reliable, easy-to-use, high quality service (HF communication is subject to interference, disruption and delays)
To access the service, aircraft must be fitted with an Inmarsat Aircraft Earth Station (AES) – either Aero-H, Aero-H+ or Aero-I unit (AEEC 741 or 761 standard). Aircraft fitted with an Inmarsat Aero-H or Aero-H+ system have access to the service worldwide (except over the poles) as shown in the map below.
Aircraft fitted with the more compact Inmarsat Aero-I system have access through “spot beam coverage” – an area coverage of 95 percent of the world’s airline route (shown in darker shade).
