FAA Certified, And Ready For Sale

At the 2006 AEA Conference in Palm Springs Thursday, AirCell announced its revoluntionary Axxess satcom system, launched at NBAA 2005, has received FAA certification... and from what the company says, that's not a moment too soon for their customers.

"We’re delighted to have reached this point and excited to begin filling customer orders in the next few days," said Jack W. Blumenstein, AirCell Chairman & CEO. "AirCell is known as one of the few avionics manufacturers that routinely fills even large incoming orders in just a day or two. In what is a rarity for us, we’re in a backlog situation with Axxess orders and it will take us a couple months to catch up."

AirCell Axxess is a multi-channel, wireless and broadband-ready satcom system designed for medium-to-large business aircraft. The standard Axxess system includes two Iridium satellite communications channels for quality voice and narrowband data services. Through its integrated expansion ports, up to two additional Iridium channels can be added to suit the operator’s needs. In addition, through the system’s Ethernet port, operators can add an Inmarsat broadband connection on a plug-and-play basis.

Axxess’ standard, FAA-certified handsets include large, color displays -- an industry first -- as well as advanced noise cancelling technology and standard ear bud/headset jacks for clear, quiet calling. Axxess’ wireless capabilities include a full 802.11b/g Wi-Fi "hotspot" which, when paired with a broadband connection, can be used to operate personal laptops, PDA’s and other Wi-Fi devices in the cabin. Axxess’ wireless features will become available pending FAA certification in Q3 2006.

Representing the company's largest system order to date, Axxess was selected by Cessna Aircraft Company in December as a factory option on Citation X, Sovereign and XLS business jets.

... And There's More To Come

AirCell tells ANN the Axxess system was designed with an open system architecture, giving operators the ability to easily add features as technology changes and their needs grow. Beyond the standard Axxess system that has received FAA certification, additional system capabilities are already being developed.

• AirCell, Inc. and EMS SATCOM, a division of EMS Technologies, Inc, announced today that the two companies are collaborating to formally validate and integrate EMS SATCOM’s eNfusion™ HSD high-speed data terminals with the AirCell Axxess™ Satcom system. The alliance gives Axxess customers high-speed data capabilities and ensures the combined systems can be easily and seamlessly installed and operated. Testing is expected to be complete in May 2006 with the first "bundled" version of the systems to be available immediately thereafter.
• The Axxess Two-channel Expansion Transceiver will be available late this summer to operators wishing to turn AirCell Axxess into a four channel system. The Expansion Transceiver seamlessly adds two additional channels of Iridium for high-quality voice and low-speed data services.
• Axxess’ 802.11b/g wireless capabilities will be certified and available in Q3 2006. Additional Axxess capabilities will be announced in the coming months.

AirCell products are offered as standard or optional equipment by virtually every fixed- and rotor-wing airframe manufacturer in business aviation, and are installed aboard the world’s three largest fractional ownership fleets – NetJets, Flight Options, and CitationShares. The company is headquartered in Louisville, CO.

FMI: www.aircell.com