Honeywell has received a technical standard order from the FAA for its Aspire 350 hybrid satcom terminal. The company is the first FAA-certified dual satcom manufacturer to include both legacy and next-generation Iridium safety and Iridium Certus services in one system.

With the Aspire 350 hybrid, business aviation aircraft owners, airliners and helicopter operators can take advantage of secure cockpit voice and data services. In addition, they can also access cabin voice and data over the Iridium satellite network for fast L-band speeds of up to 704 kbps. This two-in-one hybrid product replaces legacy safety and cabin terminals and provides global coverage.

“Aspire 350 hybrid is the first FAA-certified satcom system with both legacy modems to support essential safety services and an Iridium Certus broadband modem to enable the fastest speeds available over the Iridium network,” says Steve Hadden, vice president and general manager, services and connectivity, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “Operators now have access to fast, flexible, affordable and reliable high-speed aircraft connectivity with global coverage, including the remote polar regions. Additionally, depending on the solution offering, owners and operators can do everything they currently do on the ground, from providing critical safety communications to supporting an 'office in the sky' up to multiple devices.”

“Honeywell continues to be a leader in innovation and the Aspire 350 Iridium Certus terminal is taking airline pilot communications to the next level by providing a full suite of cockpit and cabin services,” adds John Peterson, executive director of aviation, Iridium. “In partnership with Honeywell, Iridium is committed to providing reliable safety services and secure voice and data to aircraft, everywhere on the planet.”

Aspire 350 Hybrid supports worldwide operation and the Future Air Navigation System-over-Iridium to help obtain preferential routes over oceanic airspace, thus reducing the flight path and saving fuel and time. Most importantly, owners and operators can access cockpit safety and non-safety voice and data services securely.

With this new system installed, pilots have access to real-time weather updates via the electronic flight bag and can leverage a satcom voice communication that is crisp and clear versus legacy HF radios.

TSO C-159e was issued to Honeywell by the FAA with compliance to Aircraft Systems Information Security Protection for Iridium Certus.