TrueNorth Avionics announced today that it has received FAA technical standard order (TSO) approval for its Fans-compliant Iridium-based satellite datalink unit (DLU). The company’s Simphone Fans-1/A+ datalink Unitplus is already approved under multiple supplemental type certificates (STCs), but the TSO “will streamline the process of obtaining additional STCs,” according to the company. The TrueNorth DLU is lightweight and includes a built-in Iridium transceiver.

“This will be a great Fans 1/A Iridium satcom solution for operators who already have a satcom voice system installed on the aircraft,” said Carey Miller, manager of business development for Universal Avionics. The Universal UL-800/801 Communications Management Unit has been successfully tested with the TrueNorth DLU. “Reaction to our DLU has been incredibly positive,” said TrueNorth CEO Mark van Berkel. “When installed with some FMSs, the component actually gives the operator additional functionality such as an extra communications channel.”