Inmarsat free global tracking ?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8
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From: NW UK
Inmarsat free global tracking ?
Inmarsat to provide free global airline tracking service - Inmarsat
Back in May 2014 , in the wake of the MH370 tragedy Inmarsat indicated that it was to start a free global tracking network for sat com equipped long haul.
I assume this would be L band from a/c to sat , C band from sat to ground station using Mode S idents and location info every 15 minutes , or less.
Was this ever implemented ?
There is plenty of L band ACARS traffic on Inmarsat , bit nothing as far as I can see relating to regular position updates.
Be interested to know if any airlines have adopted the new safety measure
Back in May 2014 , in the wake of the MH370 tragedy Inmarsat indicated that it was to start a free global tracking network for sat com equipped long haul.
I assume this would be L band from a/c to sat , C band from sat to ground station using Mode S idents and location info every 15 minutes , or less.
Was this ever implemented ?
There is plenty of L band ACARS traffic on Inmarsat , bit nothing as far as I can see relating to regular position updates.
Be interested to know if any airlines have adopted the new safety measure

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 555
Likes: 94
From: Waters edge
The issue is grinding through ICAO - in the meantime, using the capabilities you suggest, this evaluation was reported last year.
It's coming, but don't hold your breath... Tracking is often more about ATC process and coordination.
Inmarsat concludes successful evaluation of oceanic flight tracking to meet ICAO?s new global standard - Inmarsat
FF
It's coming, but don't hold your breath... Tracking is often more about ATC process and coordination.
Inmarsat concludes successful evaluation of oceanic flight tracking to meet ICAO?s new global standard - Inmarsat
FF
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: NW UK
Many thanks for the reply FF
Yes I saw the initial report , but wondered if in the meantime any airlines were "volunteering"
to make 15 minute reports as a safety measure .
I assume that an auto ADS-B style report , containing location information is simply sent via the L band comms link to the satellite then down to the earth stations via C band , providing a regularly updated Oceanic tracking "log"
Obviously at this stage the data would not be used for "Oceanic ATC" purposes , but could help to avoid another MH370 scenario , as at worst
, on the basis that these pings were automated and could not be overridden, a flight would never be more than 15 mins from point of last contact.
Yes I saw the initial report , but wondered if in the meantime any airlines were "volunteering"
to make 15 minute reports as a safety measure .
I assume that an auto ADS-B style report , containing location information is simply sent via the L band comms link to the satellite then down to the earth stations via C band , providing a regularly updated Oceanic tracking "log"
Obviously at this stage the data would not be used for "Oceanic ATC" purposes , but could help to avoid another MH370 scenario , as at worst
, on the basis that these pings were automated and could not be overridden, a flight would never be more than 15 mins from point of last contact.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: NW UK
Image above...
Near Global coverage from Inmarsat by just a handful of satellite receiving stations.
[Pink icons]
Near Global coverage from Inmarsat by just a handful of satellite receiving stations.
[Pink icons]
Last edited by modessatcom; 19th March 2016 at 12:45. Reason: Added "Pink icons"







