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| A Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767–300. Photo: Wikipedia |
[Avionics Today 06-11-2015] L2 Consulting Services received an FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of the Cobham Satcom Aviator SwiftBroadband Satellite Communications System on Hawaiian Airlines 767-300 series aircraft, using Inmarsat’s Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) Ground Gateways (AGGWs) to carry Future Air Navigation System (FANS)/ACARS safety messages. L2 was originally awarded the contract in October of 2014 to develop integration engineering, produce installation kits, and provide certification and project management for the program. Additionally, L2 provided remote installation services for the installation of the Cobham system.
“Hawaiian Airlines operations will now support the FAA initiative to further evaluate this new safety service over the Pacific Tracks,” said L2 President Mark Lebovitz. “We are motivated to support improved aviation safety services, so we developed an STC to approve the new high speed Inmarsat datalink and position reporting communication option.”
Overall the system is intended to support the FAA’s Performance-Based Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee Communications Working Group (PARC CWG) initiative to evaluate communication technologies that are expected to be viable in meeting the needs of the airline community. The system is capable of providing both voice and data communications, including Air Traffic Control (ATC) communications, with the addition of many enhanced features such as immediate aircraft tracking information and Ethernet ports for connecting devices such as Aircraft Interface Devices (AIDs) and Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) for the pilots to obtain real-time information, including graphical weather updates. The connectivity will facilitate dynamic routing to favorable winds and away from unfavorable weather.