When to use HF
Unless the rules have changed recently, you can't plan to use sat phone for normal ops. If you are planning to operate out of VHF coverage you must have HF. You can use satphone if you are planning to stay in VHF coverage but you suffer an abnormal that takes you out of VHF coverage. Eg you have a depressurization.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: S37.54 E145.11
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sat Phones
Old Akro:
I guess it would depend on your flight category.
Certainly for IFR category, I would say "no" because the requirement is for the pilot to be in continuous communication with ATS throughout the flight. The requirement used to be that air ground communications had to be conducted primarily over a "non-blocking" communications system. The non-blocking requirement invariably entailed that communications between a pilot and ATS had to be conducted utilising dedicated VHF/HF communications systems provided by the ATS provider. Although dedicated air ground systems might rely on communication links (ground based and satellite based) provided by a public telecommunications provider (particularly in the more remote areas), these links are invariably subject to a service level agreement between the ATS and telecommunications provider that ensures that such links have high availability and are dedicated for ATS use only.
Public communication systems such as fixed and mobile telephones, sat phones, CB radios etc are not considered to be suitable for air ground communications as they are considered to be "blocking" communications systems, as called numbers could be engaged or calls prioritised (don't even get me started on voice recognition systems) or blocked out by poor radio discipline by unlicensed users. Obviously, any blocking communications system would be unsuitable during an in-flight emergency scenario or for level change or weather diversion situations requiring prompt responses from ATS.
Is Satphone a realistic option instead of HF? I have heard of guys removing HF and replacing with a Sat Phone car kit.
Certainly for IFR category, I would say "no" because the requirement is for the pilot to be in continuous communication with ATS throughout the flight. The requirement used to be that air ground communications had to be conducted primarily over a "non-blocking" communications system. The non-blocking requirement invariably entailed that communications between a pilot and ATS had to be conducted utilising dedicated VHF/HF communications systems provided by the ATS provider. Although dedicated air ground systems might rely on communication links (ground based and satellite based) provided by a public telecommunications provider (particularly in the more remote areas), these links are invariably subject to a service level agreement between the ATS and telecommunications provider that ensures that such links have high availability and are dedicated for ATS use only.
Public communication systems such as fixed and mobile telephones, sat phones, CB radios etc are not considered to be suitable for air ground communications as they are considered to be "blocking" communications systems, as called numbers could be engaged or calls prioritised (don't even get me started on voice recognition systems) or blocked out by poor radio discipline by unlicensed users. Obviously, any blocking communications system would be unsuitable during an in-flight emergency scenario or for level change or weather diversion situations requiring prompt responses from ATS.
