Methods and apparatus for dynamic network evaluation and network selection

An apparatus for mapping aircraft communication network availability, the apparatus comprising:

• a mapping data receiver to receive network availability data and parameters associated with network availability data from a first aircraft;
• a mapping data assignor to incorporate the network availability data into mapping data, the parameters including location information for the first aircraft;
• and
• a mapping data broadcaster to transmit the mapping data to a second aircraft, the second aircraft having a trajectory associated with the location of the first aircraft.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed, is to cause a processor to at least:

• determine, using a processor, based on a message type, an allowable delay associated with a first message to be transmitted during a current flight;
• generate, based on network map data collected during a prior flight, a forecast of network availability associated with a transmission of the first message;
• determine, based on the forecast of network availability, a target network for the transmission of the first message, the target network having a predicted availability at a time during the current flight within the allowable delay;
• and
• output, prior to the allowable delay, in response to the target network being available, the first message via the target network.