Aireon, FlightAware: GlobalBeacon flight tracking goes live

Satellite-based surveillance system developer Aireon and flight tracking data specialist FlightAware said Monday that they have activated their GlobalBeacon flight-tracking offering for airlines, days before an ICAO tracking recommendation takes effect. GlobalBeacon is a web-based tracking dashboard that provides minute-by-minute aircraft position reports, closing gaps in coverage over oceans and within polar airspace. An airline subscribes to the service through FlightAware and pays a monthly fee per aircraft. The system aggregates data from Aireon’s space-based surveillance network, constructed of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) receivers on Iridium Next satellites, and FlightAware’s ground-based ADS-B tracking data and flight-plan information. <br/>