Honeywell has released its latest global satellite communications system, the Aspire 300, delivering International Civil Aviation Association (ICAO)-approved cockpit voice and safety services that improve the overall safety of airline operations. The new system is 75 percent smaller with an antenna that is 90 percent smaller than those in other cockpit systems, saving airlines thousands of dollars per aircraft in fuel costs, according to Honeywell.
“Honeywell’s Aspire 300 satellite communications system is approved for cockpit safety services, voice, and datalink for oceanic, long-range communications,” said Warren Nechtman, vice president of connectivity equipment at Honeywell. “Our latest technological advancements also deliver significant savings in terms of weight, power and volume while dramatically enhancing the aircraft’s overall safety of operation for airlines.”
The Aspire 300 system connects to Iridium’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, which provides pole-to-pole coverage. The system also satisfies the Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) flight requirements. This enables a direct data link communication, similar to text messaging, between the pilot and the air traffic controller, giving the pilot the ability to take advantage of the North Atlantic Track System — the daily set of trans-Atlantic flight paths based on wind conditions — and optimize flight time and fuel savings, as well as help lower operational costs.
Featuring a smaller patch antenna, the Aspire 300 system can sit alongside Honeywell’s JetWave fuselage mount antenna, which provides global high-speed Wi-Fi to the aircraft. The two systems complement each other, according to Honeywell.