Skybridge-Alaska

Existing Solutions Analysis - Why SkyBridge is Needed

Alaska’s Enhanced Special Reporting Service (eSRS)

Official FAA Alaska Flight Service Program

What eSRS Proves About Infrastructure Gaps

Alaska Flight Service has created the Enhanced Special Reporting Service (eSRS) program that allows pilots to use satellite tracking devices (DeLorme/Garmin inReach™, SPOT™, Spidertracks™, TracPlus™/RockAIR™) to augment traditional flight plans.

Key Quote from Official Documentation:

“The service offers increased protection when a pilot files a round-robin or extended duration flight plan for travel to remote areas without access to VHF radio communication outlets.”

What This Tells Us

Government Acknowledges Infrastructure Failures

• FAA officially recognizes “remote areas without access to VHF radio communication”
• Traditional radio infrastructure has systematic gaps
• Satellite augmentation is necessary for safety

Current Solutions Are Expensive and Limited

• SPOT devices: $150+ annually + $50-200 device cost
• Garmin inReach: $15-65/month + $300-500 device cost
• Spidertracks: $30+/month + $1000+ device cost
• Only works for emergency alerts - no weather, traffic, or operational data

Proves Demand for Peer-to-Peer Communication

• Pilots are willing to pay for backup communication systems
• Government is adapting procedures to work around infrastructure gaps
• Market exists for better solutions

How SkyBridge Improves on eSRS

Feature	eSRS (Current)	SkyBridge
Cost	$15-65/month + device	$50 one-time + no monthly fees
Coverage	Emergency alerts only	Weather, traffic, NOTAMs, emergencies
Infrastructure	Satellite dependency	Peer-to-peer mesh network
Data Types	GPS position only	Compressed aviation data (TAIGA)
Network Effect	Individual devices	Community mesh grows stronger
Vendor Lock-in	Tied to satellite providers	Open source, vendor neutral

Official Validation of SkyBridge’s Approach

Problem Statement from eSRS:

“Alert notifications are transmitted to FSS directly, reducing the response time in the event of an emergency.”

SkyBridge Enhancement: Real-time peer-to-peer alerts don’t require FSS as single point of failure.

Problem Statement from eSRS:

“Alert messages typically include the location of the aircraft in distress, allowing rescue to go directly to the aircraft location, instead of searching along an entire route.”

SkyBridge Enhancement: Continuous position sharing and route tracking through mesh network.

Problem Statement from eSRS:

“This service is in addition to, and supplements, a regular flight plan.”

SkyBridge Enhancement: Replaces need for traditional flight plans in many scenarios through real-time mesh communication.

Market Validation

The existence of eSRS proves:

1. Pilots will adopt new technology when it improves safety
2. Government recognizes traditional infrastructure gaps and adapts procedures
3. Monthly subscription models are acceptable to aviation community
4. Satellite communication works in Alaska but has limitations
5. There’s demand for better solutions than current offerings

SkyBridge’s Competitive Advantage

No Recurring Costs

eSRS requires ongoing satellite subscriptions. SkyBridge is one-time purchase.

Richer Data

eSRS only sends emergency alerts. SkyBridge shares weather, traffic, NOTAMs, and operational data.

Network Effect

eSRS devices work individually. SkyBridge gets better as more pilots join the mesh.

Community Resilience

eSRS depends on satellite infrastructure. SkyBridge creates community-owned resilient networks.

Open Standards

eSRS locks pilots into proprietary satellite services. SkyBridge uses open NASA TAIGA protocol.

Strategic Implications for NASAO

1. Market is Proven - Alaska pilots already pay for communication augmentation
2. Government is Supportive - FAA already adapts procedures for new technology
3. Infrastructure Gaps are Official - Government documents acknowledge VHF radio gaps
4. SkyBridge is Natural Evolution - Better capabilities, lower cost, community owned

The Bottom Line

eSRS is proof that:

• Traditional aviation infrastructure has systematic failures in Alaska
• Government and pilots recognize the need for alternative solutions
• Market exists for communication augmentation technology
• SkyBridge offers superior capabilities at lower cost

eSRS validates the problem. SkyBridge provides the solution.

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Source: Enhanced Special Reporting Service (eSRS) - Satellite Assisted Flight Plan Tracking, FAA Alaska Flight Service

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