[Avionics Today 11-20-2015] Rockwell Collins’ ARINCDirect customers flying non-ADS-B equipped aircraft can now receive real-time position reports around the world through an enhanced flight tracking service for business aircraft called Mode S Multilateration (MLAT). The new service is now available to ARINCDirect customers in Europe. It is in beta testing in the rest of the world, and is expected to be available in December 2015.
The ARINCDirect flight tracking is made possible through collaboration with FlightAware. FlightAware’s new MLAT technology leverages its ground station network of receivers to provide real-time flight positions for business aviation aircraft that are not ADS-B equipped, even where radar data is not available.
“More than 80 percent of business aviation aircraft are not ADS-B equipped — with many of them flying in Europe and abroad — so this service provides tremendous benefits to our customers traveling internationally,” said David Poltorak, vice president of business aviation for Rockwell Collins. “Now, customers can track the exact location of their aircraft globally in real-time, enhancing safety and operations.”