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GlobalBeacon and FlightAware developing technology to prevent airline disappearances

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CIOL GlobalBeacon and FlightAware developing technology to prevent airline disappearances

To prevent mysterious passenger airline disappearances like Malaysia Airlines MH370 in 2014, two companies are looking to bring a new satellite tracking solution to market.

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GlobalBeacon and flight tracking service FlightAware are in the process of developing technology that would send the location information to satellites with the Aireon system, instead of sending it to the stations on the ground.

CIOL GlobalBeacon and FlightAware developing technology to prevent airline disappearances

GlobalBeacon will employ ADS-B low-orbit satellites from Iridium Communications to track flights and the Aireon system will provide airlines with near real-time details on planes through a web-based tool.

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Aireon's new tech was originally meant to provide air traffic controllers a way to improve efficiency when routing flights but FlightAware plans to debut a tracking product next week at the same time the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) meets in Montreal.

The duo is targeting 2018 for the system to be operational.

Before FlightAware, some other companies have also suggested using satellite tracking for airliners including Panasonic Avionics who is also lending its equipment through AirMap, another web-based tracking tool that offers custom alerts for things like turbulence, sudden drops in altitude or a derivation from the flight path. It also allows an airline to establish contact with a plane via text or voice messages and can provide updates on a minute-by-minute basis.