News
FAA grants STC for ICG FANS on Falcon 50s
Oct. 18, 2013, Newport News, Va. - ICG (International Communications Group, Inc.) announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued the first Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for an Iridium-based avionics platform on a business aircraft that conforms to RTCA DO-262A.
October 21, 2013 By Carey Fredericks
DO-262A is the industry standard required for design approval of aircraft data link communication systems supporting Air Traffic Services (ATS) by FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-140A.
The STC was issued to Chicago Jet Group LLC for the installation of ICG’s NxtLink Series ICS-220A and Universal Avionics UniLink® UL-801 Communications Management Unit (CMU) with internal VHF VDL Mode 2 receiver on a Dassault Aviation Falcon 50 aircraft. The approved system meets Future Air Navigation Systems (FANS 1/A) Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) requirements for flying the North Atlantic Tracks between Flight Level (FL)360 and FL390.
“This STC and compliance with the rigorous requirements of DO-262A for ICG’s NxtLink series ICS-220A transceiver marks an important milestone for ICG and the Business Aviation industry as a whole,” said Scott Trainum, ICG’s Chief Executive Officer. “It is the first, and so far only, FANS over Iridium (FOI) solution available to business jet operators that will allow them to comply with both the existing and upcoming regulatory mandates regarding trans-Atlantic operations.” Trainum also noted that, “ICG utilized Overlook Consulting’s unique industry subject matter expertise to complete the FANS-compliance testing and certification effort to demonstrate compliance to DO-262A and AC20-140A.”
“This accomplishment further demonstrates the growing adoption of Iridium for aviation safety communications. The Iridium satellite network’s compliance with the stringent industry requirements is a true testament to the network’s extensive capability and reliability,” said Brian Pemberton, Iridium’s director of Product Management, Aeronautical and Marine Products. “Not only is Iridium the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe, we also enable the most cost-effective solution available. FANS over Iridium provides further financial benefits by making it possible for business aviation operators to fly more optimal routes with enhanced operational efficiency, improved fuel conservation and reduced lateral separation minima on FANS flight tracks,” he concluded.
“Universal Avionics is very excited to be a partner in this key STC integration effort with ICG and Chicago Jet Group,” said Bruce Bunevich, Universal Avionics’ Great Lakes Regional Sales Manager. “This demonstrates our leadership in meeting global FANS standard. This team effort has obviously provided an innovative and integrated solution,” he added.
“Partnering with ICG and Universal Avionics proved to be an extremely efficient approach to meeting the requirements for this STC. We were able to leverage the combined talent and expertise of our organizations,” said Mike Mitera, President of Chicago Jet Group. “Both ICG and Universal Avionics produce cost effective state-of-the-art equipment and we have a well-deserved reputation as a detail oriented systems integrator. By working together we were able to accomplish an industry first with this installation, we also came up with an approach that provides significant cost savings. We are passing on the ‘lessons learned’ during the development and testing program to the end users.”
