According to Newport News, Virginia-based ICG, the FAA has issued the first supplemental type certificate (STC) for an Iridium-based avionics platform on a business jet conforming to the RTCA DO-262A data link standard. DO-262A is the standard required for design approval of data link communications systems supporting air traffic services, per FAA advisory circular AC 20-140A.

Chicago Jet Group obtained the STC for installation on a Dassault Falcon 50 of ICG’s NxtLink series ICS-220A and a Universal Avionics UniLink UL-801 communications management unit with internal VHF VDL Mode 2 receiver. ICG said the approval meets Fans 1/A (future air navigation system) controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC) and automatic dependent surveillance-contract (ADS-C) requirements for flying the North Atlantic Tracks between FL360 and FL390.

“This STC and compliance with the rigorous requirements of DO-262A for ICG’s NxtLink series ICS-220A transceiver marks an important milestone for ICG and the business aviation industry as a whole,” said Scott Trainum, ICG CEO. “It is the first, and so far only, Fans-over-Iridium solution available to business jet operators that will allow them to comply with both the existing and upcoming regulatory mandates regarding transatlantic operations.”

ICG’s NxtLink ICS-220A is a three-channel platform that provides two channels of global voice with a modem dedicated to data link services. It supports communications for both flight deck data link requirements, including Acars, CPDLC and ADS-C messaging, as well as flight deck voice communications via conventional aircraft audio systems.

ICG (Booth No. N2329) also announced that it has obtained a certificate of approval from Anatel, the Brazilian national telecommunications agency to sell the ICS-220A in Brazil.