Inaugural users' discount promotion offered for Merlin real-time weather service

F ORT L AUDERDALE—With the forthcoming roll-out of the world's first geosynchronous direct broadcast satellite service to deliver unlimited real-time weather and data to the cockpit, SATELLINK Technologies is offering discounted subscriptions to the attendees of the AOPA Expo 2001 show. Recognizing the demand for strategic weather and other information by all pilots, SATELLINK is proud to offer the knowledgeable and experienced members of the world's foremost aviation organization a 33-percent discount for signing up during the Expo.

SATELLINK has been broadcasting Merlin weather information in North America using an existing geosynchronous satellite since early 2001. At the AOPA Expo 2001 these broadcasts are being received by the company's aircraft in the static display area. Real-time weather will be demonstrated by SATELLINK's pilots at the aircraft, at the Merlin booth (#839), and at several display partner and electronic flight bag suppliers throughout the show floor.

SATELLINK Technologies unveiled its revolutionary Merlin weather information service at the EAA AirVenture 2001 show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this past summer to an enthusiastic response. Using the company's Merlin-equipped aircraft, demonstrations were provided using color personal data assistants (PDAs) and other display devices, giving attendees a clear understanding of the obvious safety and efficiency advantages of having complete weather data in the palm of their hands.

Merlin provides pilots everywhere, on the ground and in flight, with a wide range of high-resolution weather radar, forecast depictions, color-coded text, air traffic information, and other flight safety information. With Merlin, virtually all of the weather products typically available at the local FAA flight service station or over the Internet are available in the cockpit. Geo-referenced by GPS and displayed on a wide range of devices, the continuously updated weather information includes NEXRAD, satellite images, terminal weather radar, surface analysis, graphical pireps, METARs, TAFs, notams, IFR/MVFR charts, icing, lightning, winds aloft, area forecasts, and turbulence forecasts, among other things.

Merlin serves as a weather "overlay" onto existing moving map situational awareness enhanced displays and does not require a separate dedicated display. Merlin's development has been guided by critical feedback from hundreds of pilots and extensive real-world ground and flight testing. Merlin is the product of a privately funded and focused effort by SATELLINK's management team and engineers who are active pilots with thousands of hours of flight experience.

Merlin will be commercially available in early 2002. The portable Merlin receiver/processor and TSO'd antenna will have a retail price of about $1,500. Monthly basic subscription cost for general aviation users is $45 per month for unlimited use. Attendees at the AOPA Expo 2001 can sign up for Merlin service at substantial savings.

SATELLINK Technologies is an information services company engaged in the delivery of near real-time data sets to a broad range of users worldwide. The company is pioneering the use of direct broadcast satellites to distribute weather and other critical real-time information at affordable prices to users throughout the world.

SATELLINK Technologies
21700 Atlantic Blvd.
Dulles, VA 20166
703/636-1300