OMNI Táxi Aéreo of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has selected SKYTRAC of Kelowna, BC, to provide both Real-Time Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) and Satellite Push-to-Talk (PTT) solutions on nine of its AW139 aircraft currently engaged in services contracts with PETROBRAS, the largest multinational Brazilian producer of oil and gas.
“Equipping both Satellite Push-to-Talk and Real-Time HUMS on our AW139s will drive safety and improve operational efficiencies for our customers,” said Roberto Coimbra, CEO, OMNI, who notes the company – founded in September 2001 – will roll-out the SKYTRAC upgrades over the coming months.
SKYTRAC explains these onboard systems can serve as part of a vital safety program by monitoring HUMS parameters in flight and alerting ground crews in real-time when exceedances are captured. The company explains its technology also streamlines the transfer of HUMS and flight data monitoring files postflight to ground stations, eliminating the need for technicians to board the aircraft and manually download files.
By equipping its aircraft with SKYTRAC’s PTT solution, OMNI accesses a satellite-based 256-bit encrypted radio system which allows the operations control centre to communicate with the aircraft while in flight. The system can hold up to 15 talkgroups per device with what SKYTRAC describes as crystal-clear sound, opposed to traditional HF radio commonly known for distortion and static, cost-prohibitive equipment, and unruly radio tower agreements.
Utilizing the Iridium network for true pole-to-pole coverage, and the ISAT-200A to enable functionality, SKYTRAC explains PTT-enabled assets can communicate freely with less than half a second audio delay from speech on one end to audio playback at the other. PTT also eliminates the reliance of ground or offshore radio towers, explains SKYTRAC, and can be even more important when engaged to support emergency situations. SKYTRAC describes this as a critical feature for offshore oil-and-gas operators.
