Cessna Selects Gogo, Gulfstream Opts Of Axxess

Aircell, a leading provider of in-flight connectivity for business aviation, announced Sunday that Cessna Aircraft Company will offer Gogo Biz high-speed Internet capability as a factory option for the Citation CJ4 beginning in the first quarter of 2012. Cessna’s efforts to engineer and certify the system on the CJ4 platform are already well underway and are slated for completion in January.

Gogo Biz enables passengers and flight crews to enjoy high-speed Internet capabilities above 10,000 feet in the continental U.S. and portions of Alaska, using their own Wi-Fi enabled laptops, tablets, EFBs, smartphones and other mobile devices. In addition to the new Internet capabilities being announced today, the CJ4 already includes global Iridium voice capabilities from Aircell as standard equipment. With integrated cabin handsets, passengers and crews can place and receive voice calls to or from anywhere in the world and enjoy call waiting, call forwarding, and conference calling features.

"Whether checking email, connecting to the company network, catching up on the latest news, accessing ebooks and magazines, or just surfing the web – we’re stepping up the possibilities," said Don Beverlin, who formerly headed up Cessna Aircraft Company’s supply chain operations and is now Business Leader for CJ series products. "We’ve worked with Aircell for many years and we continue to believe in their vision. Their ability to give us a complete range of connectivity solutions, network services and equipment packages across Cessna’s diverse range of business aircraft is exactly what we need.”

The CJ4’s standard equipment package currently includes the Aircell Axxess cabin communications system for worldwide voice capabilities. The new high speed Internet option will add an ATG 4000 high speed Internet transceiver, a Cabin Telecommunications Router (CTR), and dual antennas mounted beneath the fuselage.

“Today’s announcement highlights two significant trends in the business aviation market. First, connectivity plays an increasingly central role in all of our lives today, and business aircraft operators fully expect those services to be available when they fly,” said John Wade, Aircell’s executive vice president and general manager. “Second, Cessna’s decision to offer a full complement of voice and high-speed internet services aboard a light jet is another clear sign that in-flight technology has become smaller, lighter and more affordable.”

As the G650 continues to progress towards certification, Aircell Axxess has been selected as standard equipment aboard the new G650 business jet.

Aircell Axxess is a cabin communications system that provides global voice service and narrowband data capabilities via the Iridium Satellite network. Integrated cabin handsets allow passengers and crew to easily place and receive voice calls to or from anywhere in the world.

“The Gulfstream G650 is a very technologically-advanced aircraft and Aircell Axxess’ global communications capabilities will play an important role in the passenger experience as well as with ongoing aircraft operation,” said John Wade, Aircell’s executive vice president and general manager. “Since Aircell Axxess is also offered on several other Gulfstream aircraft, fleet commonality will help passengers feel right at home as they communicate with family, friends and colleagues as they fly.”

FMI: www.aircell.com/nbaa