SkyTrac Systems is celebrating 40 years of providing mission-critical satellite communications to the aviation industry from its home in British Columbia, Canada.

Founded in Penticton in 1986, SkyTrac began with a mission to track aircraft flying in the hills of the Okanagan Valley. Since those early days, the company has grown well beyond tracking, providing end-to-end solutions for mission operations including flight following, voice and data communications, flight data monitoring and mission systems integration.

SkyTrac serves more than 800 customers in over 100 countries, providing the critical data connectivity they need to operate in some of the world’s most demanding environments. From pole to pole, its equipment supports operations in oil and gas, aerial firefighting, emergency medical services, policing and search and rescue.

Key developments over the past 40 years include the launch of its first Iridium-connected terminal, the growth of its staffing footprint across Canada and a customer base that takes in local and global operators and key OEMs. The company has grown into a 140-employee operation.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of SkyTrac for 19 years and see how our team has grown and risen to the challenge time and time again,” says Malachi Nordine, speaking on behalf of SkyTrac’s leadership team. “These accomplishments are made possible by the hard work of our team,” he adds.

SkyTrac’s design approval organisation (DAO) holds supplemental type certificates under Transport Canada, the FAA, EASA and ANAC, among others, with over 900 airframe certifications. The company provides capabilities such as medical data transfer, video streaming and real-time HUMS over the Iridium Certus and cellular networks.

To mark the anniversary, SkyTrac is hosting a celebration with staff, key customers, partners and local stakeholders in Kelowna, which has been home to its headquarters since 2006. It is also sponsoring the local Apple Marathon, taking place in Kelowna on 27 September, with several SkyTrac employees taking part.