European Commission considering VoIP for pilots

The European Commission (EC) is considering the deployment of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network to improve the in-flight communication of airline pilots.

Funding from the EC is behind the consortium NEWSKY, which is working with the German Aerospace Centre to develop an advanced communications network.

According to the Engineer, the group is tasked with selecting new VoIP technology to enhance pilot communication with ground crews, alongside access to important flight information.

Dr Frank Schreckenbach, NEWSKY project manager, told the publication: "At the moment we are experiencing a shift from voice communication to data communication and the network we are proposing will allow this trend to develop in the air."

"If a pilot wants to know the weather forecast, instead of requesting the data via the radio, they will be able to download a weather map that can convey more information," he added.

Jack Blumenstein, Aircell chief executive, recently told the Boston Globe that many airlines are now using VoIP handsets for communications between in-flight crews and operations centres.