WSI weatherlink buyers will have to switch to Sirius Radio (and buy a new box) while XM’s financials aren’t encouraging.

WSI will end its datalink service provided by the twin beam Mobile Satellite Ventures system, above. Its new Sirius-based system will be compatible with existing displays.

When cockpit datalinked weather exploded into the aviation market barely four years ago with too much hardware and too many companies, we predicted a nasty shakeout. But even we didn’t expect this. Just as the market matures into what appeared to be two stable, competitive players—the XM Radio-based WxWorx and WSI’s Inflight service—neither service appears to be as rock-solid as we thought. Two developments within days of each other may affect both services in ways that will clearly infuriate some customers and worry others. …