Small aviation operations—flight schools, tourist flights, and private fleets—often venture into areas where communication can be a challenge. Pilots need reliable tools to ensure safety, track their progress, and communicate effectively, even in remote regions. Yet, many still rely on cell phones or satellite phones for these critical tasks, despite their limitations.
Here’s why a dedicated satellite tracking device isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity that can save lives.
We asked 138 aviators who variously pilot helicopters (30%), gliders (18%), light aircraft (43%), cargo aircraft (25%) or military aircraft (15%) what, if anything, they were using to track their flights.
67% of respondents said they utilized the GPS on their cell phone; 34% had a satellite phone, and 33% had a dedicated satellite tracking device for this purpose (respondents were allowed to pick more than one answer).
While this didn’t come as a huge surprise, there are drawbacks of relying on cell phones. Coverage can be spotty, due to both the altitude and the remote locations visited, and also due to weather conditions. Cell phone service can be negatively affected by storms, wind, rain and even simply cloud cover (source).
Satellite phones are generally less affected by weather, and don’t suffer from coverage issues; they are, however, designed primarily for voice communication, and have none of the specialized features that pilots can benefit from with a dedicated aviation tracking solution.
We asked the same group what they valued most in a tracking solution, and, aggregating ‘essential’ and ‘nice to have’, the results were:
- 91% – Location alerts (moving in and out of geofences, stop/start etc.)
- 88% – Mission reports (e.g. mission ID, asset details, route, crew, cargo etc.)
- 87% – Real-time tracking
- 86% – Distress notifications and escalations
- 85% – Two-way messaging
- 83% – Electronic flight bag*
So there is widespread consensus of the value of aviation tracking, but as seen above, only a third of respondents had a dedicated solution for this.
*Advanced messaging including transmission of flight manifest, weight, balance etc.
Why Dedicated Satellite Tracking Devices Excel
Dedicated satellite tracking devices, like the RockAIR, are purpose-built for aviation. Here’s what sets them apart:
A Real-Life Lifesaving Story
The value of dedicated tracking devices isn’t theoretical—it’s proven. British pilot Sam Rutherford was flying in the Canadian wilderness when a crash left him stranded in freezing temperatures. Despite the dire situation, he managed to send a location-based message using his RockSTAR device. This timely communication enabled rescuers to locate and save him.
Without a dedicated satellite tracking device, Sam’s story might have ended very differently.
Key Use Cases in Small Aviation
Why Not Cell Phones or Satellite Phones?
While cell phones and satellite phones play a role in communication, they fall short in critical ways:
|
Cell Phones |
Satellite Phones |
Satellite Tracking Devices |
|
|
Altitude Recording |
|
|
|
|
Real-Time Tracking |
|
*Some Models |
|
|
Distress Notifications |
|
*Some Models |
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Battery Life |
Low |
Medium |
High |
|
Durability |
Low |
Medium |
High |
Dedicated satellite tracking devices stand out as the only option that checks every box for aviation safety and reliability.
Flying with a dedicated satellite tracking device is more than a practical choice—it’s a lifesaving decision. From real-time tracking to emergency response, these devices are purpose-built to meet the demands of small aviation.
Can we help?
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