Now You Won't Have To Leave Your Facebook On The Ground
Aircell has announced it has
received full FAA certification (STC and PMA) for its new High
Speed Internet system in the business aviation market and that
shipments have commenced three months ahead of schedule. The
system's first installation has been completed by Midcoast Aviation
aboard a Bombardier Challenger 605 (pictured below) operated by a
Midwest-based flight department.
Powered by the Aircell Network, the Aircell High Speed Internet
system allows passengers and crews to use their own Wi-Fi enabled
devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, to surf the Web,
send and receive e-mail with attachments, Instant Message, access
their corporate VPN and much more - all in flight at full mobile
broadband speeds. The Aircell Network utilizes 3G mobile wireless
technology, operating in the continental U.S. over a network of
ground stations and Aircell's exclusive broadband air-to-ground
spectrum.
"We're very pleased to debut the Aircell High Speed Internet
system in the business aviation market. By providing a true
high-speed connection, it greatly transforms the travel experience
and allows everyone aboard the aircraft to be more productive,"
said John Wade, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Aircell.
"During the acceptance flight for the first installation, there
were several passengers surfing the Internet, sending and receiving
e-mail with attachments and downloading files simultaneously - and
everything worked flawlessly. With certification in hand and the
continued overwhelming acceptance of the system, today's milestone
paves the way for thousands of business aircraft installations in
the coming years," concluded Wade.
ANN reported last week that Cessna would offer Aircell
technology as an option in some model Citations by next year.
The proprietary Aircell system provides a true high speed
Internet connection that equals what passengers are accustomed to
on the ground, while being able to fit on virtually any business
aircraft. Aircell's High Speed Internet unit for business aviation
(ATG 4000) weighs just 11 pounds and its two belly-mounted antennae
weigh just 1.25 pounds each.
The commercial airline version of the service - Gogo Inflight
Internet - has been selected by airlines representing more than
half of the North American mainline market. The system is flying
today with American Airlines, Virgin America, Delta Air Lines and
AirTran Airways. It is coming soon to Northwest Airlines, Air
Canada and United Airlines.
The company notes that aircraft upgrades like the Aircell High
Speed Internet system may be eligible for bonus tax depreciation
under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
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