Satelite phones for position reports.
Satelite phones for position reports.
Got a call from a mate of mine on his satelite phone who was on some sort of boat, exactly halfway between NZ and Sydney, it was clear as a bell sounding like he was only a mile away or so.
It got me thinking, why are we still bothering with HF for trans oceanic flying, instead of dropping some long trailing antenae for HF, why not just pick up ur sat phone and call in ur position report, or even sms it.
Better yet, why can't the panel mounted GPS do it automatically for you. There's all sorts of great new things, satelite radio (XM radios with 300 channels for what ever music you like), you can email via satelite.
Are there phone numbers in the ERSA to do call for position reports. I have heared there are but couldnt find any.
Checked out Mooneys website, they Quote the range of the Ovation with factory installed long range tanks at around 2,400nm. Now I only need to win Lotto!!!
It got me thinking, why are we still bothering with HF for trans oceanic flying, instead of dropping some long trailing antenae for HF, why not just pick up ur sat phone and call in ur position report, or even sms it.
Better yet, why can't the panel mounted GPS do it automatically for you. There's all sorts of great new things, satelite radio (XM radios with 300 channels for what ever music you like), you can email via satelite.
Are there phone numbers in the ERSA to do call for position reports. I have heared there are but couldnt find any.
Checked out Mooneys website, they Quote the range of the Ovation with factory installed long range tanks at around 2,400nm. Now I only need to win Lotto!!!
nomorecatering
We do have satellite auto position reporting with GPS accuracy. It's called CPDLC and ADS. I can’t remember the last time I did a HF position report even though we still tune it up and change frequency when required. Regular voice communication via satellite would be price prohibitive and the airlines won’t pay for it.
We do have satellite auto position reporting with GPS accuracy. It's called CPDLC and ADS. I can’t remember the last time I did a HF position report even though we still tune it up and change frequency when required. Regular voice communication via satellite would be price prohibitive and the airlines won’t pay for it.
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nomorecatering:
Because ATS have got to have some method for keeping pilots awake on long oceanic sectors, in between the times you are being served tea by gorgeous flight attendants! 
Ha Ha!
Pilots have nothing to complain about because at least they enjoy the advantage of SELCAL ie they only have to listen to HF when they're (sel)called from the ground or they initiate the communication.
Take pity on the poor ATS guys who have to listen to up to 6 HF frequencies CONTINUOUSLY (ie no SELCAL) for a whole shift.
Nothing hastens one's retirement like constant harrassment by HF static on 6 frequencies at a time - intermingled with the inane jabbering of a million Asian HF operators all trying to talk on the same frequency at once!
Ah, those were the days!
....why are we still bothering with HF for trans oceanic flying
Ha Ha!Pilots have nothing to complain about because at least they enjoy the advantage of SELCAL ie they only have to listen to HF when they're (sel)called from the ground or they initiate the communication.
Take pity on the poor ATS guys who have to listen to up to 6 HF frequencies CONTINUOUSLY (ie no SELCAL) for a whole shift.Nothing hastens one's retirement like constant harrassment by HF static on 6 frequencies at a time - intermingled with the inane jabbering of a million Asian HF operators all trying to talk on the same frequency at once!
Ah, those were the days!
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All taaats consoles have their own telephone number. If you asked me (as a pilot) for my console number to give a position report either by mobile or sat phone, I'd give it to ya, no problems. It's a pain in the back side hoping that you guys can get hf on the ground to cancel sar etc. Then declaring an uneccesary sar phase, trying to get everyone to contact you etc.
As Bushy says Australia is the third world of aviation, considering our wealth as a nation. But then again it is a tight ar5ed government that wont invest in infrastructure that causes this?
Bring on ADSb
rooter
As Bushy says Australia is the third world of aviation, considering our wealth as a nation. But then again it is a tight ar5ed government that wont invest in infrastructure that causes this?
Bring on ADSb
rooter
Our aircraft are fitted with sat phones, we sometimes use them for a position report if we can't get through on HF. Centre can also call us if we've missed a report. I have phone numbers for Melbourne and Brisbane Centre Consoles in my own folder, there are also ATC numbers in INTRO-1 of the ERSA.
As antique as these systems may seem, I've heard of quiet a few occassions where an Australian International HF Operator has overheard overseas Controllers assign conflicting levels to QANTAS aircraft in far off places ... then passed that info on to the Captains, who took the issue up with the overseas Controller ... thus preventing an embarrising and deadly nose to nose.
When HF does finally disappear, that safety net will also disappear with it.
When HF does finally disappear, that safety net will also disappear with it.
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Sat Phones
Giday Aeropussy (sorry mate couldent help myself)
How are the blue dot Ambos these days.
I have operated aeromed in the NT where we reguraly used sat phones, installed and hand held for both operational and medical purposes.
With the hand held you just have to sit next to the window with the best signal while in the air. Canceling SAR on the ground works well for those times when you just can't get through the HF hole at Garden point or Sanke bay.
Any phone that works is a good alternative to HF and occasionaly the broken (or full of water) VHF re-trasmitter.
Richo
How are the blue dot Ambos these days.
I have operated aeromed in the NT where we reguraly used sat phones, installed and hand held for both operational and medical purposes.
With the hand held you just have to sit next to the window with the best signal while in the air. Canceling SAR on the ground works well for those times when you just can't get through the HF hole at Garden point or Sanke bay.
Any phone that works is a good alternative to HF and occasionaly the broken (or full of water) VHF re-trasmitter.
Richo
Very useful things, good in many ways, but as was pointed out earlier, you do loose the situational awareness of others.
Used it last year over well south of Tassie in the southern ocean trying to establish HF comms to Flightwatch.
Extremely useful waaaay down south when there's no (reduced) layer to bounce off and my HF signal heads off to Alpha Centauri.....
Used it last year over well south of Tassie in the southern ocean trying to establish HF comms to Flightwatch.
Extremely useful waaaay down south when there's no (reduced) layer to bounce off and my HF signal heads off to Alpha Centauri.....
Originally Posted by Richo
Giday Aeropussy (sorry mate couldent help myself)
How are the blue dot Ambos these days.
How are the blue dot Ambos these days.
