The Increasing Role of Communication Satellites In Commercial Aircraft Operations

An overview of the aeronautical satellite communication (SATCOM) system is provided to establish the background for describing and quantifying airline benefits.

The drivers are identified that will determine the availability of benefits such as air traffic control (ATC) communications, navigation improvements, and passenger services through public and private switched telecommunication networks.

Further identified is the airborne system requirements that may be standardized by regulatory bodies to support, later in this decade, additional oceanic capacity and reduced oceanic aircraft spacing while maintaining or improving the safety and regularity of flight.