ICG Completes Tests of Iridium-Based ACARS

The International Communications Group (ICG) has completed testing of its new Iridium-based ACARS (aircraft communication addressing and reporting system), and has delivered initial production equipment.

According to Armin Jabs, ICG's president, the system enables a simple, plug-and-play replacement of older Aero-C satellite communication equipment which is nearing obsolescence. "Our equipment works with existing, already-installed avionics, thereby eliminating the need for additional third-party equipment and special translation devices or software," Mr. Jabs said.

ARINC worked with ICG on the project.  Its business aviation services unit, ARINC Direct now offers an integrated Iridium datalink service, which allows its business aviation customers to have access to its flight support services from virtually any location in the world.  Mr. Jabs said ICG has launched a commercial operation via ARINC Direct's flight operations center in Annapolis.

Later this year, ARINC will extend its Iridium services to commercial aviation via its GLOBALink service.

ICG says its system complies with ARINC 741 standards for interfacing with the datalink management unit (DMU), as well as ARINC 618 and 620 specifications for ACARS messaging.  Customers can use either its ICS-100 single-channel or ICS-200 dual-channel voice/data Iridium terminals to access the service.  03-24-2006.

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