Voolaris Tracker set to Gain Starlink Connectivity for Paragliding Pilots

Spanish company Alfapilot has completed successful trials of a Starlink-enabled tracking system designed for paragliding pilots, bringing real-time satellite connectivity for fliers one step closer to reality.

The system, developed around the existing Voolaris Tracker, integrates Starlink satellite coverage alongside 4G LTE mobile networks and bidirectional Fanet communication. The result is a hybrid tracking solution that automatically selects the most reliable signal source depending on conditions — whether on the ground or at altitude.

Traditional tracking devices have long presented a trade-off between coverage and update frequency. Satellite-only systems typically send positions at intervals of several minutes, making real-time live tracking impractical. Mobile and Fanet-based systems work well in populated areas with network infrastructure but fall short in remote mountain terrain.

“This is a breakthrough for our sport,” said Pedro Enrique of Alfapilot. “The key is that the Voolaris Tracker is hybrid — it combines satellite, terrestrial, and device-to-device connectivity in a single unit, switching automatically depending on available coverage. And it sends one position per second, whether via satellite or mobile network.”

The tracker has been in commercial production since March 2025 and has already seen use at competitions in Spain, as well as by flight schools and individual pilots. The team is targeting commercial availability of the satellite service — using Starlink’s direct-to-cell capability — by the end of 2026 or early 2027, with subscription pricing to be confirmed at launch.

For cross-country pilots and competition organizers alike, reliable tracking in remote terrain is a game-changer. The ability to follow a pilot’s progress in real time, regardless of cell coverage, adds a new dimension of safety and excitement to every flight.

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