Cellular Data over Satellite (T-Mobile, etc)

[pepperlk]

It would be very cool if, while in flight, we could get the latest weather updates via satellite data and also send tracking locations to interested parties. Other features that could be added later, after weather updates, include the ability to file flight plans and more.

 

[Cobra]

iFly is just an app on your device, like any other app. Internet connectivity is handled at the device level--that's not something iFly controls.

For example, some people are starting to fly with Starlink antennas in their planes, which provides Internet service in flight. You can do the same, and iFly will take advantage of it today.

 

[pepperlk]

That is not entirely true in this case regarding Starlink Direct to Cell (T-Mobile):
"T-Satellite isn’t just for customers and businesses – it’s also for developers looking to be among the first to keep their apps connected in a new era where off-the grid doesn’t mean out of reach. To get your apps working connect with T-Mobile here: [email protected]. "
ref: https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/t-satellite-data-ready-app-expansion

As a developer working on an app that utilizes this tech, you have to be approved to use the network and follow a few rules on data updates for 2G speed performance.

 

[Cobra]

Are there any constraints / limitations to that service regarding location or movement? I.e., does the phone need a clear view of the sky, or would it be expected to reasonably work from inside an aluminum-skinned aircraft? Does the phone need to be stationary or moving "slowly"?

I ask because the "normal" Starlink service does have such considerations.

 

[pepperlk]

I've had great success with AccuWeather over the past few weeks while in flight for getting weather updates while holding the phone near the yoke. Although data rates are slow, it's my backup when not using a Starlink Mini as suggested earlier. I've also managed to make a couple of WhatsApp calls during flights, all through the T-Sat connection.

 

[Gatormyk]

It would be very cool if, while in flight, we could get the latest weather updates via satellite data and also send tracking locations to interested parties. Other features that could be added later, after weather updates, include the ability to file flight plans and more.

Currently, the use case for that is limited to newer iPhones, Android phones and Android tablets. However, I suspect this will be changing soon and would require users to purchase a new device to take advantage of satellite service connectivity. I feel that the most prevalent use case at this time are users running iFlyEFB on tablets that currently do NOT support satellite connectivity and are connected via WiFi to an ADS-B device (although there are some ADS-B in devices that connect via Bluetooth). Currently, I believe that connection to a second external device for Internet connectivity via T-Mobile's satellite service would also be via WiFi. As most mobile devices can currently only connect to a single WiFi service at one time, I personally would not be willing to give up my connection to the ADS-B in data source for whatever data services are provided by a separate Internet connection. However, I believe there are some solutions by certain ADS-B in devices to connect to another data service via WiFi and passthrough the Internet data to devices connected to and receiving data from the ADS-B in device via a different WiFi (e.g. Stratus 3 and Stratux).

All that being said, let's assume that a mobile device running iFlyEFB can connect to two different external data sources while in flight: one source for ADS-B in data and one source for Internet data. I would assume that apps for things other than aviation navigation will ignore the ADS-B in data stream and utilize the Internet data stream for what they do, leaving iFlyEFB only to utilize the ADS-B in data stream for traffic (TIS-B) and weather/other aeronautical data (FIS-B) but could utilize the Internet data stream for something like filing a flight plan. Displaying weather from the Internet data stream may be another challenge as I assume the "NEXRAD" layer comes from ADS-B FIS-B while the device is connected to an ADS-B in data source. Perhaps two different NEXRAD map layers (e.g. "NEXRAD (www)" and "NEXRAD (ADS-B)"? Or maybe a configuration cog next to the NEXRAD map layer option that allows the user to choose between "www" and "ADS-B". Perhaps it is already happening automatically... i.e. iFlyEFB defaults to "www" unless "www" data is not available and then reverts to ADS-B in. I'm not sure how this works in flight as I rarely have Internet available to my iFlyEFB device while in flight.

Are there other EFB apps that support using internet weather data while connected to an ADS-B in device? If not, a capability like this in iFlyEFB would be "groundbreaking."

UPDATE: On the NEXRAD map layer menu item, there is a configuration cog if the layer is selected. Within the configuration, there is an option to "Update Weather from Internet". However, I don't know if clicked, if this is a one time action or the app will attempt to update from the Internet until the app is closed. If one-time, how long will the display show the Internet weather data before it is overwritten by FIS-B data via ADS-B.

 

[Gatormyk]

I ask because the "normal" Starlink service does have such considerations.

Is this the case for the Starlink mini devices currently mounted in airplanes?

 

[Cobra]

Is this the case for the Starlink mini devices currently mounted in airplanes?

Yes, that's what I had in mind when I asked the question. For the Starlink Mini service, there are "stationary" and "in motion" plans available. (There are also certain geographic restrictions, though I think those are unlikely to come into play for most iFly customers.) In the past, Starlink had "speed limits" around 100mph for in-motion use, though when I looked on their website today I could find no mention of anything less than 550mph, so maybe that's gone away.

But even the "mini" Starlink antenna is approximately the size of a laptop computer, so its performance capability may be very different from what can be achieved with a cell phone, and that's what I'm really trying to understand.