Wow! I go away on holiday and have a very pleasant surprise to read Star’s latest news release.
My first thought is “Incredible” Star just tested their product on a military aircraft, presumably a fighter jet as “extreme aircraft attitude ground based simulations, with encouraging results. That must mean that our relationship with EADS Astrium must be going quite well. Military Aircraft!!! Again another WOW factor. Initial testing in Bristol, United Kingdom. Don’t need any STC’s for this one EH!!
Star launched a test programme to demonstrate the system connectivity and data transmission effectiveness at extreme aircraft attitudes under real world conditions. To prepare for the initial assessments, Star Navigation designed and constructed an innovative re-configurable antennae ground test rig, providing a representative profile for various aircraft Sat Com antenna installations. This installation, in particular, allows a comprehensive assessment of system connectivity at the full range of aircraft attitudes, including high rates of rotation. Initial testing in Bristol, United Kingdom, executed a series of connectivity tests with the elements of the STAR-ISMS™ system, designed to assess the systems' ability to maintain connectivity and to transmit flight data at extreme aircraft attitudes, including at rapid roll rates.
RAF Filton was a World War II, Royal Air Force Sector Airfield situated at Filton Aerodrome about 8km (5mi) north of the city centre of Bristol, England.
Throughout its existence, RAF Filton shared the airfield with the Bristol Aeroplane Company (later British Aircraft Corporation) whose works, now owned by Bae/Airbus, are situated on the south side of the main runway (27). (Some very easy Googling)
The initial results of these tests demonstrated robust connectivity performance for a simple, low cost installation. Further testing is planned to conclusively quantify the initial encouraging results.
Dale Sparks is the man. Prove the reliability and integrity of the system under extreme conditions that could not be achieved with an airliner. All that simulator experience with China would have served him well. He must be experiencing some real personal satisfaction with all that going on. Of course he would be really pleased with the results.
Viraf Kapadia: "We at Star are proud to have been asked to provide our expertise and experience in this most worthy undertaking. " Absolutely!!!
And for the crème de la crème, and a great big Meow, LOL
In accordance with the discretion protocol, a copy of the test reports was sent, in confidence, to Le Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA) in France as part of the Flight Data Recovery and Triggered Transmission of Flight Data Working Groups initiative. (BEA is the French Air Accident Investigation Bureau, currently in charge of the safety investigation into the accident of AF-447 in June of 2009.
I think that Star is in good company right now and the technology that they have perfected is getting the best possible recognition through some very good connections.
BL
