Based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, 49 North Helicopters provides year-round services ranging from search and rescue operations and fire suppression to aerial photography and heliskiing. The fleet operates throughout British Columbia – often well beyond the range of cellular coverage. Communication via FM radio also proved unreliable in mountainous regions.
In our line of work, you need effective communication...Whether it’s between our pilots and guides in the mountains or with our staff back at the hangar, time is money and safety is of the utmost importance. There is no room for miscommunication.
Bastian Fleury
49 North Marketing Manager and Pilot
49 North found the Iridium Connected ZOLEO Satellite Communicator both affordable and simple to use. Pilots easily pair the device to their phone before takeoff, then can effectively communicate drop-off and pickup times, weather reports, and if needed, last-minute changes and emergencies.
Powered by Iridium Short Burst Data® (SBD®), ZOLEO has become the primary communication method between 49 North pilots, guides and headquarters staff. Additionally, its Location Share+ feature provides peace of mind during training flights, as it sends automated check-in messages every six minutes.
Real-time, two-way messaging anywhere in the world.
A simple, efficient packet-based service for frequent short data transmissions between equipment and centralized host computer systems.
