A Delta Airlines A330-200 aircraft. Photo: Wikipedia

L2 Aviation received a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of the Rockwell Collins Iridium satcom system on A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft. While L2 has achieved similar STCs for the Iridium satcom installation on other airframes (including the 737, 747, 757, 767, and 777), this new STC represents L2’s first Iridium installation with Air Traffic Service (ATS) Safety Voice service. The Safety Voice service provides aircraft operators with an alternative to existing High Frequency (HF) radio systems, replacing them with a secure satellite-based option for long-range communications. The Iridium satcom installation includes single and dual channel, ATS Safety Voice, and data link capability.

Additionally, L2’s design for this STC also incorporates a multi-purpose doubler that will allow the installation of a Combined HLD and LGA (HELGA) antenna, PN405005A antenna, Low Gain Inmarsat antenna or an Active Low Gain Antenna (ALGA) — defined ARINC 771 — supporting Iridium Certus services without having to make structural modifications to the aircraft.

Contracted by Rockwell Collins, L2 provided engineering design, project and certification management, kit manufacturing, and on-site engineering support for Rockwell Collins’ end customer, Delta Air Lines.