Flying Across the Pond(s) to Get Easier

Check out this Wall Street Article which describes the recent effort by Iridium to install devices on its next fleet of commercial satellites to continuously monitor airliners and business jets on trans-Atlantic trips. This is an important step toward eventually replacing radar-based air-traffic control.  The technology is also planned to allow more efficient use of airspace by airlines by allowing pilots permission to avoid storms and change altitudes and routes in order to conserve fuel.  Equally important, this would also allow more continuous flight information to air traffic controllers on the ground.  The effort would start with Trans-Atlantic routes and gradually extend to Pacific flights.