Inmarsat Supports ICAO’s Commitment to Urgent Implementation of Live Flight Tracking

ICAO is proposing a new aircraft tracking standard, based on discussions that occurred at its High Level Safety Conference this week. Photo: ICAO.

[Via Satellite 02-11-2015] Following the conclusion of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Second High Level Safety Conference in Montreal last week, Inmarsat has announced its support of the regulatory body’s conclusion that countries and industry should begin the voluntary implementation of global tracking. Inmarsat says it is ready to participate in the adoption of a performance-based standard for global tracking of commercial aircraft.

ICAO wants to see flight tracking implemented as quickly as possible as part of the proposed Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS). Inmarsat has actively pursued the potential use of available Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) capabilities on board aircraft that support flight-tracking activities. ADS-C surveillance has already enabled increased aviation capacity and more efficient use in the oceanic regions. Contracts can be set to respond automatically at predetermined time intervals and to provide additional conformance monitoring capabilities.

“Our focus is to work with all aviation partners to develop reliable safety services and effective operational practices,” said Mary McMillan, vice president of safety and operational services at Inmarsat.

More than 90 percent of today’s wide-bodied trans-oceanic aircraft are currently equipped with avionics compatible for ADS-C use, meaning it can be rapidly deployed to ensure global harmonization and operational seamlessness, according to Inmarsat. ADS-C provides active aircraft position tracking by transmitting the aircraft’s current position and the next two planned positions, allowing flight dispatchers and air traffic controllers to track the aircraft’s progress and predict its next position.