Page 28 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2018 Online Magazine

WELCOME OPTION

Korean Air recently started installation of US-based Avionica’s the company. “It’s another in the
satLINK MAX Iridium satellite communications system on the growing list of STCs that we’ve com-
737 MAX, joining a growing list of carriers in the Asia Pacific pleted for our family of products.” Its
that have chosen it over the Boeing option power enables satLINK MAX to pro-
vide Quick Access Recorder (QAR)
Arun Sivasankaran and Aircraft Interface Device (AID)
functions on an electronic flight bag
satellite communica- A New Capability (EFB,) as well as server capabilities to
tions system that can be The satLINK MAX, which was devel- host applications, such as eTechlogs.
installed on the 737 MAX oped in parallel with the 737 MAX, can The installation of the optional avWIFI
A a fraction of the cost of provide two flight deck air traffic ser- enables seamless integration with
t
a
the Boeing option is creating a buzz vice (ATS) safety voice channels on portable electronic devices such as
in the aviation industry, particularly the aircraft model. A third additional EFBs, smartphones and other wire-
in the Asia-Pacific region. US-based channel can provide aircraft commu- less tablets, which can be used to
avionics manufacturer Avionica has nications addressing and reporting connect to the secure system to uti-
received a supplemental type certifi- system (ACARS) FANS-1/A(+) capa- lize hosted applications on the server
cate (STC) for its satLINK MAX Iridium bility while a fourth channel can be or to make voice calls through the
satellite communications system for used for cabin communications or Avionica satLINK mobile app.
the 737 MAX aircraft model, joining dedicated datalinks. Its price is just Using the avRDC MAX, Remote
a long list of STCs they’ve earned. one of the many advantages the Data Concentrator and QAR, a sig-
The system costs less than half the system has over the competition, nificant reduction in installation time
price of the option that Boeing offers, says Rios. “satLINK MAX is a great fit and weight can be realized, while
says Anthony Rios, vice president of for 737 MAX 8 and other commercial also providing convenient support for
Sales at Avionica. “What we bring aircraft because of the size, weight Flight Operational Quality Assurance
to the table is an option that is cost and functionality of the system. We (FOQA) and live aircraft data access
effective as well as efficient.” “It is 30 are very confident about the prod- to EFBs. The company’s avCM 4G
to 40 percent of the cost of what is uct.” Cellular Module offers both auto-
available in the Boeing catalogue,” “Earning this STC on the new mated QAR data offloading to a
says Rios. “Equipping with satLINK generation 737 MAX is a great backend avSYNC server system and
MAX can provide major savings for accomplishment for Avionica,” says on-ground internet access for EFB
an airline that has unique flight oper- Raul Segredo, Avionica President updates and operational datalinks.
ational data acquisition needs.” and one of the two co-founders of

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