Safer flying with satcom weather app

28 April 2014 - Pilots using a satellite service can now receive inflight updates on weather hazards and warn other aircraft of storms they see ahead. This Planet service is offered to regional, business and light aircraft, alerting pilots who are otherwise unaware of storms in their path. Without this, weather updates are not available during flight - all information is gathered before takeoff. In return, the planes boost the number of in-situ measurements such as pressure, temperature and wind sent to weather agencies. Until now, these measurements were provided routinely only by commercial airlines, which serve a limited number of routes and airports. The onboard kit comprises an antenna, the Planet terminal and the app, which is typically installed on a tablet or integrated into the flight hardware. The system provides a permanent link using Iridium or Inmarsat satellite networks during flight, switching to terrestrial cellular networks on the ground.