Panasonic Avionics Corporation Announces Acquisition of AirDat's Real-Time Weather Data and Superior Forecasting Technology

Panasonic Avionics Corporation Announces Acquisition of AirDat's Real-Time Weather Data and Superior Forecasting Technology

HAMBURG, Germany, April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --



Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in in-flight
entertainment and communications (IFEC) today announced that it has expanded its product
and service offering and its global communication network with the addition of AirDat's
real-time weather data and superior forecasting technology.



Since 2003, AirDat's advanced technology has changed the way commercial airlines,
governments, energy providers, and commodity investors use weather forecast modeling to
make better operational decisions.



AirDat's core technology is its Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting
(TAMDAR) sensor, a patented device designed to collect sophisticated weather data from the
atmosphere during the flight of an aircraft. The data will be transmitted over Panasonic's
global Ku-band aeronautical network and via the Iridium satellite network in real time to
the AirDat operations center for analysis, distribution and assimilation into
high-resolution models optimized for the real time data stream.



TAMDAR is installed across a network of hundreds of commercial aircraft that are
operated by more than a dozen partner airlines. It collects thousands of highly detailed
and accurate readings from the upper atmosphere each day. In addition to the existing
installed base, hundreds of additional aircraft around the world have been scheduled for
TAMDAR installations.



Independent studies conducted by NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) scientists have found TAMDAR data quality
and precision to equal or surpass those of weather balloon (radiosonde) data, which is the
current global standard.



"At Panasonic Avionics, we see incredible opportunity in globally connecting
aircraft," said Paul Margis, President and Chief Executive Officer for Panasonic Avionics
Corporation. "Many industries such as aviation, energy, insurance and government will
benefit from using the highly accurate real-time analysis of weather that will come from
coupling AirDat technology with Panasonic's global aviation connectivity solutions"



About Panasonic Avionics Corporation



Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world's leading supplier of in-flight
entertainment and communication systems. The company's best-in-class solutions, supported
by professional maintenance services, fully integrate with the cabin enabling airlines to
deliver the ultimate travel experiences with a rich variety of entertainment choices,
resulting in improved quality communication systems and solutions, reduced time-to-market
and lower overall costs.



Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, a U.S. corporation, is a
subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American
subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. Headquartered in Lake Forest, California with over
3,100 employees and operations in 80 locations worldwide, it serves over 200 customers
worldwide and provides IFEC systems on over 3,700 aircraft. For additional information,
please visit http://www.panasonic.aero.




Press Contacts
Brian Bardwell
Panasonic Avionics Corporation
Tel: +1-949-462-1742
E-Mail: Brian.Bardwell@panasonic.aero
Steve Double
Tel: +44(0)7917-067580
E-Mail: sdouble@bell-pottinger.co.uk
Charlie Hampton
Tel: +44(0)7884-187297
E-Mail: champton@bell-pottinger.co.uk
Emma Ballantine Dykes
Tel: +44(0)7768-293525
E-Mail: edykes@bell-pottinger.co.uk


Panasonic Avionics Corporation


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