FlightCenter Provides A Suite Of Two-Way Datalink Services For
GA
Avidyne has launched
its FlightCenter™ suite of datalink-enabled services.
FlightCenter delivers aviation services both on the ground via the
internet, and in the air through Avidyne’s
MultiLink™-enabled FlightMax Entegra integrated flight deck,
and FlightMax EX500 and EX5000 multi-function displays (MFD).
FlightCenter services currently include Flight Tracking and
Two-way Text Messaging. Avidyne’s FlightCenter provides
web-enabled, password-protected access for the aircraft owner and
other designated persons on the ground to view the aircraft’s
Flight Track or to send and receive text messages to that
particular aircraft via the internet.
FlightCenter’s flight tracking service uses the automatic
position reports and down-linked flight plan information from a
MultiLink-enabled aircraft to create and display a map view of the
airplane’s route of flight, including departure time,
continually-updated present position, and estimated time of arrival
(ETA). FlightCenter’s two-way text messaging utilizes a web
interface from which text messages are sent up to the airplane and
displayed on the EX5000 or EX500 MFD. A visual cue appears on the
MFD screen to alert the pilot that a text message has been
received, and with a single touch the pilot can view the message.
The pilot can also send or respond to text messages utilizing the
EX500 or EX5000’s standard user interface.
A critical part of the delivery of FlightCenter services is the
exclusive Network Operations Center (NOC) that Avidyne has
developed. Having their own NOC allows Avidyne to provide the
services that are customized for their airborne products and to
develop and add new services faster and easier.
“FlightCenter offers fleet operators, aircraft owners,
business associates, and family members a convenient and affordable
way to monitor an aircraft’s position and progress, and to
deliver information to the pilot during a flight” said Mark
Sandeen, Avidyne’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
“From a pilot’s point of view, FlightCenter keeps you
linked with family and business associates when plans
change.”
“FlightCenter
makes it easy for the person who’s picking you up at the
airport to know when you have departed, if you have been delayed,
and when you are expected to arrive at your destination,”
said Bill Munroe, Avidyne’s Director of OEM Product
Marketing. “You can imagine the value of FlightCenter for
fleet operators and flight schools who will use FlightCenter to
monitor overall fleet activity, track the location of specific
aircraft, and communicate with any or all of them via satellite
datalink, when they would otherwise be out of radio
range.”
“Avidyne is committed to providing the most advanced
communication links to the aircraft, and FlightCenter is built on
the investment we have made in the Avidyne Network Operations
Center (NOC),” said Avidyne president Dan Schwinn (pictured
right).
“Avidyne is uniquely positioned with the infrastructure in
place that we can leverage it to add services which will
dramatically improve the transfer of information to and from the
flight deck of general aviation aircraft. The benefits are improved
situational awareness, greater aircraft utility, and increased
safety of flight.”