All the aircraft my company operate are equiped with IRIDUM. Due to the nature of our operations, we are frequently calling our technical people.
If the office wants to call us, there is a tone in the headset, but it can be switched privately to either Capt or F/O.
There have also been numerous cases when it has been the only means of getting weater, airport, notam infomation. And having an independant power source also makes it an extra string to your bow in the event of a really bad day at the office. Unlikely I know, but it has happened.
I have to say thet the quality of reception can sometimes be found wanting, and there have been cases when we have hat to try calling a couple of times in order to get through. I'm not sure why; the system is hard wired into the instrument panel, there is an external antenna. Maybe somone else may be able to shed some light on that one.
It is also an endless source of amusment; especialy when ordering a pizza from one of those places who promise to deliver anywhere.......Oh! How the hours just fly by.....
