Avionica to Install Iridium Satcom on Continental B-737-800s

Avionica will install Iridium satellite systems on nine Continental Airlines' B-737-800s to provide global voice and data communications.

The Continental aircraft will be equipped with Avionica's new satLINK Iridium system, including antenna, wiring, structural elements and a control panel. The initial installations will provide an Iridium phone handset in the cockpit, but the airline expects to add a wireless cabin handset that will be integrated with the aircraft's CMU (communications management unit) during a later upgrade.

Raul Segredo, Avionica's president said his company introduced satLINK in 2006 "as a practical satellite-based alternative to offer additional voice and data communications capabilities to supplement other terrestrial and satellite systems."

Jun Tsuruta, Jr., Continental's senior director of technical purchasing said Iridium satcom will eliminate the airlines' "sole dependency on standard radio communication methods which are subject to range limitations over isolated areas."

ARINC will provide the voice and data communications for satLINK via its GLOBALink/Iridium service.  The Annapolis, Maryland-based multi-faceted company is the first to offer ACARS (aircraft communication addressing and reporting system) using Iridium.  06-18-2007.

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