ARINC Direct^SM Adds RAIM Predictions to Support GPS Navigation in U.S. and Worldwide

Annapolis, Maryland—ARINC Direct^SM today announced it has enhanced its flight planning services for business aircraft with the addition of worldwide Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring, or RAIM predictions.

Through a teaming agreement with DW International, ARINC Direct has been adding RAIM information automatically to flight plans filed by its subscribers since July 1, 2009, the date the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) set for RAIM to become a mandatory requirement. The RAIM feature is an integrated part of ARINC Direct flight planning, and no fee is involved.

The FAA now requires pilots to confirm GPS availability when they file a flight plan in the United States with GPS as the sole means for navigation. ARINC Direct extends this GPS availability information to flights in the rest of the world as well.

“By including RAIM data as a standard feature we are saving ARINC Direct customers the time and expense of using a separate RAIM service,” stated Bob Richard, Senior Director of Flight Support Services at ARINC Business Aviation Solutions. “Combined with our other integrated functions such as eAPIS (electronic Advance Passenger Information System) and Flight Cost Analysis, this gives pilots and flight departments another tool to use during flight planning and to help make better operational decisions.”

Based on calculated positions and real-time operational status of GPS satellites, RAIM predictions indicate the quality of GPS satellite signals to be expected along a flight path. This information allows pilots to anticipate periods of reduced GPS functionality, and to adjust flight plans accordingly.

ARINC Direct obtains its RAIM prediction data from DW International, a global leader in GPS availability prediction. When ARINC Direct customers create flight plans on-line, ARINC sends the route and waypoint data to DWI. An electronic plan is returned showing when and where GPS outages can be expected.

Operators using the new ARINC Direct service may also view a full RAIM prediction report containing additional levels of detail.

“Even though RAIM predictions are not yet required outside the U.S., ARINC saw no reason to omit worldwide coverage,” added Richard. “Today’s increased air traffic and the reduced minimum separations found in many of the world’s busy airspaces have greatly increased our reliance on GPS, and made GPS signal availability crucially important to navigation and safety.”

ARINC Incorporated, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, provides communications, engineering and integration solutions for commercial, defense and government customers worldwide. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland with regional headquarters in London and Singapore, ARINC is ISO 9001:2008 certified.

Release: 09-068

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