28 September 2019:SITAONAIR and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the deployment of space-based Very High Frequency (VHF) voice communications for air traffic management (ATM) in the Singapore Flight Information Region. The agreement was signed by Kevin Shum, Director-General, CAAS and David Lavorel, Chief Executive Officer, SITAONAIR on the sidelines of the 40th Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal, Canada.
"Space-based VHF voice communications represents the next level of ATM communications capability. When used in combination with space-based air traffic surveillance systems, it can overcome the limitations of terrestrial based ATM solutions. This MOU is the third collaboration on space-based VHF voice communications that CAAS has established. By bringing together strong complementary capabilities to develop space-based VHF voice communications, we hope to further enhance safety and airspace efficiency within the Singapore Flight Information Region," said Kevin Shum, Director-General, CAAS.
According to the MOU, SITAONAIR, one of the primary Digital Service Providers (DSP) providing Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) services (digital datalink services) for transmission of short messages between aircraft and ground station via satellites, will contribute to different studies focusing on dual voice and data capability. SITAONAIR will also engage the industry to explore the implementation of unmanned aerial platforms which would hover around 60,000ft above the earth's surface, in the stratosphere. This solution could potentially be an alternative to a space-based approach to serve high-traffic routes and regions.
David Lavorel, Chief Executive Officer, SITAONAIR said, "Our focus, first and foremost, is the safety and efficiency of air traffic in increasingly busy skies. The research conducted in Singapore propels the industry into the next stage of air traffic management innovation and communications, providing the potential for key solutions which will keep the skies smarter, even in areas where ground-based VHF is not possible."