Lockheed integrates DeLorme’s inReach satcom device to boost flight safety

DeLorme’s inReach satellite communicator has now been integrated with Lockheed Martin Flight Services (LMFS), further enabling general aviation pilots to fly safer with the company’s adverse condition alerting service (ACAS) and surveillance-enhanced search-and-rescue services.

Upon enrolling the device in the free programme, the pilots filing flight plans with LMFS would receive ACAS alerts of any latest or updated adverse conditions, including severe weather or airport closures, speeding response to crises with surveillance-enhanced search-and-rescue.

Lockheed Martin Flight Services director Jim Derr said: "We are pleased to offer pilots an additional benefit by integrating DeLorme’s inReach devices into our adverse condition alerting and surveillance-enhanced search-and-rescue services.

"Inflight alerts for hazardous weather and TFRs, as well as the faster initiation of search-and-rescue procedures with a greatly reduced search area are big wins for pilots."

When activated, the device communicates over the Iridium satellite network and automatically generates its GPS coordinates at regular intervals to LMFS during the flight.

In case the plane breaks down without reporting its location, then its latest position coordinates will be transmitted to search-and-rescue (SAR) authorities, narrowing down the search radius.

In addition, the integrated SOS button would enable pilot to delivera distress message with GPS position to a search-and-rescue coordination centre.

Integrating GPS, location-tracking, SOS and two-way messaging features, inReach enables pilots to communicate via satellite with virtually anyone, anywhere in the world and its integration with a smartphone or tablet would facilitates pilots in viewing ACAS alerts and other messages.

DeLorme commercial products vice-president Jim Skillings said: "When connected to flight services, inReach becomes an even more powerful two-way communication and tracking device, because there is nothing more critical for a pilot than getting adversecondition information in a timely manner and being able to get help in the event of an emergency.

"General aviation pilots flying all over the world depend on inReach to send and receive both routine and urgent text messages, allow others to follow their flight online, and ultimately provide peace of mind to their friends and family back home."