Europe ready for 4D flying with cockpit satcom trials

An ambitious bid to improve flight safety and efficiency over Europe by replacing legacy VHF radio communications with high-bandwidth satellite-based voice and data links between air traffic controllers and pilots is set to begin flight trials. If successful, the Iris system – developed by the European Space Agency and a consortium of companies led by air and marine communications specialist Inmarsat – is expected to shorten flown routes, minimize delays free up overcrowded air space by assigning aircraft flight trajectories in “4D”: latitude, longitude, altitude and time.