Blue Sky Network, a global provider of satellite tracking and communication solutions, has created a new service, software, and hardware plan designed specifically for pilots flying for the Department of Interior (DOI) in Alaska. As of May 1, the DOI requires that all aircraft flying any of its personnel or cargo be equipped with Iridium satellite tracking solutions.
As a Tier One partner of Iridium, US-based Blue Sky Network has created a flexible plan for people flying as DOI contractors in Alaska. Because most Alaskan pilots only fly for a few months out of the year, BSN created the “Alaskan DOI Response Plan” for service. With this plan, pilots choose six months when they want service to be active and BSN will suspend and hold their place until they’re ready to reactivate.
“We have been providing Iridium satellite tracking solutions to pilots and companies in Alaska for nearly 10 years,” says Blue Sky Network CEO Jon Gilbert. “When we heard about this new requirement, we realized that a specialized service plan was in order as many of the pilots affected are independents or owner/operators. We wanted to make sure they did not have to settle.”
The Blue Sky Network plan is offering flyers a complete hardware, software, and service solution that will help them conform to the new DOI contract, which requires the following:
- Reporting data must be sent at a minimum interval of two minutes
- Communication must be sent by the pilot, prior to takeoff, that tracking is operational
- The solution must be powered by the aircraft’s electrical system
- The solution must be compatible with the US Government’s Webtracker platform
The Alaska DOI Response Plan includes SkyRouter, Blue Sky Network’s tracking portal. SkyRouter not only enables viewing and transmission of near-real-time tracking data, but it also can help pilots and aircraft owners realize additional business benefits by tracking everything from landing speeds to altitudes to hours of operation, according to company officials.
For more information: BlueSkyNetwork.com/Alaska
