March | April 2022
ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
WWW.ELITE-WINGS.COM
THE ULTRA- LONG RANGE CATEGORY
CLASH OF THE TITANS
SPECIAL 2022 CABIN CONNECTIVITY GUIDE © 2022 ELITE WINGS MEDIA
CONTENTS March | April 2022
04 FIRST TIME BUYER’S GUIDE
08 JETFLY SUPER VERSATILE PC-24
12 THE ULTRA-LONG-RANGE OFFERING
26 BIZLINERS VS BIZJETS
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38 CORPORATE JETS AS A SERVICE
42 ABBSLY DESIGN STUDIO
50 2021 US BIZAV MARKET RECOVERY
56 CABIN CONNECTIVITY | 2022 GUIDE
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W W W . E L I T E - W I N G S . C O M
About ELITE WINGS
Elite Wings is on a mission of providing timely, structured, validated, unbiased, and relevant business aviation intelligence.
ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE (ISSN 2816-4040) PUBLISHED BY: ELITE WINGS MEDIA MONTREAL, QUEBEC CANADA WWW.ELITE-WINGS.COM LinkedIn:/ ELITE-WING Majid Jlioui | CO-FOUNDER & MD Patrick Janvier | EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Les Purkhardt | CONTENT ADVISOR Ridha El-Khairy | CONTENT ADVISOR Sonia Yeara | SALES & MARKETING Yasmina El Otmani | IT & TECHNOLOGY CONTRIBUTORS
Oliver Stone Colibri Aircraft Thomas Chatfield Camber Aviation Management Clement Zhang FlightBI LLC Ucal Abbaslı Abbsly Design Studio CONTACTS Editorial editorial@elite-wings.com Advertising ads@elite-wings.com For other inquiries info@elite-wings.com ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE (ISSN 2816-4040) IS PUBLISHED SIX TIMES PER YEAR (JAN/FEB, MAR/APR, MAY/JUN, JUL/AUG, SEPT/OCT, NOV/DEC) BY ELITE WINGS MEDIA, MONTREAL, CANADA.
Any information of a technical nature contained in this document may contain inaccuracies and is subject to change and should never be relied upon for operational use. Photos: Courtesy Pilatus, Dassault Aviation, Gulfstream, Bombardier, Satcom Direct. Copyright © 2022 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of ELITE WINGS MEDIA is strictly prohibited.
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First Time Buyer’s Guide Getting Started Confidently By Oliver Stone – Managing Director, Colibri Aircraft Buying an aircraft is an exciting time but can be overwhelming. A good broker will walk you through the process of selecting a model type to best fit your wants and priorities, as well as guide you through the purchase cycle. Use their expertise to your advantage so you enter ownership with an awareness of what it entails and an aircraft you are happy to own.
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Picture © Gulfstream
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Determining The Right Jet for You nderstanding how much you can and want to spend on your jet is a vital metric in selecting an aircraft and should be looked at with care and consideration. Selecting an aircraft that is right for your budget involves more than just looking at the purchase price. Operating costs can often represent a larger financial commitment over the life of the aircraft than the purchase price. A purchase is a one-time event and can be financed, whereas operating costs are ongoing and impossible to finance. Make sure the aircraft you select will be a suitable asset for you throughout the ownership cycle, and not just at the point of purchase.
U Budget
Starting Point: Budgeting is more than just the asking price, and the yearly operating costs need to be factored into your decision-making process. Determine how much you can budget per year and look at the options that fit that plan. `
T CABIN SIZE
he size of your cabin comes down to personal comfort levels and what makes sense for your needs. Many clients tend to begin their search looking at the biggest jet with the highest passenger capacity. But upon further introspection, they realize most of their flights usually only have two or three passengers on board. Cabin size and operating cost are directly related – the larger the cabin, the larger the operating cost. Assess how often you need the larger space and if it is worth the extra costs incurred when only a few people are on board. The cabin layout must also be a consideration. For example, a certain cabin height, the dining group with a table, or a divan for sleeping may be important to you due to the nature of the trips you take. Starting Point: Examine your typical flight and how many passengers you usually fly with and how you use the jet. Your aircraft model selection is very personal and you need to determine your priorities in cabin size that fit into your predetermined budget.
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Before You Buy
C
hartering an aircraft type is the best way to determine the aircraft model you will be most happy with. It is the number one thing we recommend to anyone considering purchasing an aircraft. Once you have narrowed down your list of possible options, charter each one and see how you feel about them in operation Picture © Bombardier
▪ Bring other passengers on board to get a feel of how you can move around in the cabin or how full it feels with a certain amount of people and baggage on board.
▪ Use the galley and see if you like the space and amenities it offers. ▪ See how certain features function such as the lavatory, the media system, and the window shades.
▪ Go up to altitude for a few hours and see what it feels like. ▪ Determine how loud it is in the cabin during take-off and at cruise. ▪ If you take overnight flights, see how people can sleep in the berthing configuration. This mainly relates to the larger cabin aircraft, as often each model has its own unique configuration. 6 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
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New vs Pre-Owned
A
key question to consider is whether you will buy a new or pre-owned jet. One of the biggest reasons for the popularity of the pre-owned market compared to new aircraft is the price difference. Depreciation has been a constant feature of aircraft since the financial crisis in 2008 until late 2020, and a pre-owned aircraft typically offers significant savings on the purchase price of a new jet. The proposition of similar utility for a lower purchase price has driven the pre-owned market’s popularity. When you consider that many pre-owned models provide similar functionality to new models currently in production (i.e.: pre-owned Citation XLS compared to a new Citation XLS+ or a pre-owned Global XRS compared to a new Global 6500), the value proposition of pre-owned jets becomes significantly greater than a new aircraft. As of January 2022, rapid appreciation of values on pre-owned jets is occurring across almost every market segment. This phenomenon has not occurred in 15 years and no one knows how long it will continue. While this appreciation has made a small number of very young pre-owned aircraft trade at premiums over factory price, most pre-owned jets still provide a strong value proposition compared to a new aircraft. Another difference between a new and pre-owned jet is the purchase cycle. Aircraft manufacturers will normally have pre-sold several months and sometimes years of their annual production quotas and as a result, buying a new aircraft usually entails waiting prolonged periods for it to be built and delivered. As of January 2022, most manufacturers are sold out for 2+ years and any order placed would mean delivery in 2024 at the earliest. In comparison, pre-owned aircraft have a shorter purchase cycle taking several weeks once the right aircraft has been identified.
Colibri Aircraft provides aircraft brokerage and asset advisory services to buyers, sellers, and aircraft owners. The company’s focus is on remarketing and purchasing aircraft for clients, as well as advising lenders on asset value protection and repossessions. www.colibriaircraft.com
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J E T F LY | P C - 2 4 OPERATING THE SUPER-VERSATILE JET
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J E T F LY | P C - 2 4 A D VA N TA G E S ▪ Guaranteed aircraft availability ▪ Only occupied hours invoiced ▪ No cancellation fees
W
ith 20 years of experience and 150,000 hours of flight time, Jetfly is a leader of fractional ownership in Europe for both business and private aviation. The fleet of 60 Pilatus aircraft is now the largest in the world. It comprises 48 PC-12s and 12 PC-24s. For medium-range destinations, Jetfly offers the luxury to fly in Pilatus’ newest super versatile jet, the PC-24. Within 3 years of its launch, the fleet has grown to 12 PC-24s with the unique Philippe Starck livery that has proven to be very popular amongst Jetfly’s 400 co-owners. Jetfly is headquartered in Luxembourg and employs 350 people, including 150 pilots.
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J E T F LY | P C - 2 4
FASTER CLOSER Entry Into Service September 2018
In-Service Fleet 12 Aircraft
Main Base
The PC-24’s Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE) sets the standard for high-tech simplicity. Powered by Honeywell’s state-of-the-art Primus Epic 2.0 avionics suite in a four 12-inch screens configuration. The PC-24 ACE Cockpit is equipped with Synthetic Vision System, Autothrottle, Graphical Flight Planning, Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II), and Localiser Performance with Vertical (LPV) guidance capability.
All Europe
Range 1,500 nm | 4 Pax | 2 Pilots 1,800 nm | 1 PAX | 2 Pilots
Autonomy 04 HRS 15 MIN
Popular Routes Geneva - Paris Paris – Marrakech London - Ibiza Contact +352 26 19 36 36 info@jetfly.com www. jetfly.com 11, rue Jean Fischbach L-3372 Leudelange Luxembourg
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With the Pilatus PC-24, Jetfly can connect both international airports as well as small airfields closer to co-owner’s final destinations. Designed as an “off-road” Business Jet, the PC-24 allows access to over 3000 airports and small airfields, including unpaved runways.
A LIGHT JET WITH THE OVERSIZED CABIN OF A MIDSIZE JET PASSENGER CAPACITY 8 Passengers Double Club Configuration
BAGGAGE CAPACITY 175 ft3 (cubic feet) 16 Bags ( 65 kg / Bag)
CABIN AMENITIES Service Attendant Power Outlets Full Refreshment Center Fully Enclosed fwd Lavatory Nespresso machine Internet connectivity
The PC-24 offers a large and comfortable cabin with a flat floor, an externally serviced lavatory, and an oversized baggage area with a 4.1-by 4.25-foot cargo door, ideally fitted for bigger ticket items such as skis and bikes. This oversized light cabin is superior to many much more expensive Jets. Jetfly PC-24s are configured with 8 passenger seats in a double club cabin configuration. PC-24 | CABIN ARRANGEMENT 1- Forward Lavatory 2- Zone 1: 4 Club Seating 3- Zone 2: 4 Club Seating 4- Oversized aft cargo
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THE ULTRA- LONG RANGE CATEGORY
CLASH OF THE TITANS By Majid Jlioui – Managing Director Elite Wings
Faster Further Bigger In 2012 with the entry into service of the Gulfstream G650 (Model GVI), a new era of Ultra-LongRange (> 7000 nm) purpose-built Business Jets was launched. Although highly impacted by continuous delays and cost overruns with its CSeries commercial aircraft family, Bombardier had to respond with the launch of the Global 7000 and 8000 family program that soon converged with the delivery of the current industry flagship, the Global 7500. The Ultra-Long-Range offerings will soon be extended with the addition of the state-of-the-art Gulfstream G700 and G800 and a clean sheet design from Dassault Aviation, the extra widebody Falcon 10X. Let’s look at what’s today the most advanced and dynamic segment of Business Aviation!
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THE HEAVY LEAGUE Since the beginning of Business Aviation, the 100,000 lbs MTOW (Maximum Take-Off Weight) was seen as the highest limit for purpose-built Business Jets. This limit was even used by Teterboro airport (KTEB / TEB) to deny airliners access, making Teterboro airport the world’s most exclusive Business Jet airport, serving the New York City area. Since the G650ER entry into service in 2014. All UltraLong Range bizjets are surpassing this limit to offer more range and unprecedented large cabin sizes
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U LT R A - L O N G R A N G E C AT E G O R Y IN-PRODUCTION
GULFSTREAM G650
GULFSTREAM G650ER
BOMBARDIER GLOBAL 7500
EIS 2012 RANGE 7,000 nm MAX SPEED 0.925 M CABIN VOLUME 2,138 cu.ft
EIS 2014 RANGE 7,500 nm MAX SPEED 0.925 M CABIN VOLUME 2,138 cu.ft
EIS 2018 RANGE 7,700 nm MAX SPEED 0.925 M CABIN VOLUME 2,633 cu.ft
LONG RANGE JETS PRODUCTION HISTORY BY RANGE SEGMENT
2020 REVENUE SHARE BY RANGE SEGMENT
2020
2012 – LONG RANGE SEGMENT OFFERING When introduced in 2012, the Gulfstream G650 was a real game-changer in the Long-Range category. The G650 featured a game-changing wide cabin and an impressive 7,000 nm range at a much higher speed than any of its closest competitors. The G650 and the G650ER variant with increased MTOW were able to claim several world-record flights in 2014 and 2015.
GULFSTREAM G650
GULFSTREAM GV-SP / G550
BOMBARDIER
DASSAULT AVIATION
GLLOBAL XRS /6000
FALCON 7X
EIS 2012 RANGE 7,000 nm MAX SPEED 0.925 M CABIN VOLUME 2,138 cu.ft
EIS 1997 RANGE 5,900 nm MAX SPEED 0.885 M CABIN VOLUME 1,669 cu.ft
EIS 1996 RANGE 5,970 nm MAX SPEED 0.90 M CABIN VOLUME 1,690 cu.ft
EIS 2007 RANGE 5,950 nm MAX SPEED 0.90 M CABIN VOLUME 1,552 cu.ft
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U LT R A - L O N G R A N G E C AT E G O R Y IN- DEVELOPMENT
GULFSTREAM G700
GULFSTREAM G800
DASSAULT AVIATION
FALCON 10X
BOMBARDIER GLOBAL 8000
EIS 2022 RANGE 7,500 nm MAX SPEED 0.925 M CABIN VOLUME 2,603 cu.ft
EIS 2023 RANGE 8,000 nm MAX SPEED 0.925 M CABIN VOLUME 2,138 cu.ft
EIS 2025 RANGE 7,500 nm MAX SPEED 0.925 M CABIN VOLUME 2,780 cu.ft
N/A EIS RANGE 7,900 nm MAX SPEED 0.925 M CABIN VOLUME 2,236 cu.ft
THE TOP END CATEGORY PLAYERS GULFSTREAM 500 Gulfstream Road Savannah, Ga, 31407, USA Phone (912) 965-7372 www.gulfstream.com
Gulfstream is a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics that designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and services some of the world’s most technologically advanced Business Jets. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream financial services division and Gulfstream pre-owned aircraft sales. Gulfstream offers a strong line-up of exceptional jets, comprising the super-midsize G280, the newly developed state-of-the-art G500 / G600 Long-Range family, and the Ultra-Long-Range G650, which should be joined in 2022 by its stretched sibling the G700 and an 8,000 nm shorter fuselage variant in 2023. In 2021, Gulfstream announced the launch of the G400, this large cabin 4,000 nm Jet will share the G500/G600 wide fuselage and cockpit with a smaller and slower wing.
BOMBARDIER 400 Côte-Vertu Road West Dorval, Québec Canada H4S 1Y9 Phone +1 514 855-5000 www.bombardier.com
Canada-based Bombardier entered the aviation industry following the acquisition in 1986 of Canadair, taking control of the then newly certified Challenger 600 program. The company grew its aerospace footprint through a large number of acquisitions including business aviation pioneer Learjet in 1990. The company struggled recently by successive program delays and cost overruns with its CSeries commercial aircraft program that forced the company to exit the commercial aviation and train segments to focus solely on business aviation. Over the years Bombardier has been very successful in attracting large business jets orders, especially from fractional ownership operators with its highly popular super mid-size Challenger 300/ 350 aircraft and its Long-Range offering Global 5000 / 6000 family.
DASSAULT AVIATION 78 Quai Marcel Dassault 92552 Saint-Cloud Cedex 300 FRANCE Phone (33) 1 47 11 40 00 www.dassaultfalcon.com
French manufacturer Dassault Aviation is steeped in aeronautical history and one of the world’s most accomplished aerospace producers dating back to before WW2. Famous for its Mirage fighter family and more recently the Rafale, Dassault was also a pioneer within the business aviation sector. In the beginning, it offered the Corvette and the Mystere-Falcon 10 and 20 variants. Today it is the only European manufacturer producing exclusively high-end large and Long-Range Business Jets. Dassault assembly takes place in Merignac near Bordeaux with final painting and interior completion at Little Rock, Kansas facility. Highly successful in the LongRange segment with the Falcon 7X and the 8X enhanced derivative, Dassault announced in 2021 its entry into the Ultra-Long-Range race with the Falcon 10X. ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE | 15
G650 Entry in service BASE PRICE : $ PERFORMANCE Max Range* Max Cruise Speed Takeoff Distance Landing Distance Max Cruise Altitude Initial Cruise Altitude
2012 68,500,000 7,000 nm 0.925M 5,858 ft 2,680 ft 51,000 ft 41,000 ft
* 8 Passengers, 4 Crew, M 0.85, NBAA IFR reserves
WEIGHT Max Takeoff Max Landing Max Zero Fuel Usable Fuel
99,600 lb 83,500 lb 60,500 lb 44,200 lb
G650ER Entry in service BASE PRICE : $ PERFORMANCE Max Range* Max Cruise Speed Takeoff Distance Landing Distance Max Cruise Altitude Initial Cruise Altitude
2014 70,500,000 7,500 nm 0.925M 6,299 ft 2,680 ft 51,000 ft 41,000 ft
* 8 Passengers, 4 Crew, M 0.85, NBAA IFR reserves
WEIGHT Max Takeoff Max Landing Max Zero Fuel Usable Fuel
103,600 lb 83,500 lb 60,500 lb 48,200 lb
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GULFSTREAM G650
THE GAME CHANGER Since its entry into service in 2012. The G650 (Model GVI) is the Gulfstream flagship jet, offering the largest and fastest business aircraft ever built. Currently dethroned by Bombardier Global 7500, Gulfstream is aiming to restore its positioning on the highest-end business jet offering in 2022 with the entry into service of the stretched G700 derivative. The 7000 nm, G650 was first unveiled in 2008, followed by the first flight on November 25, 2009. With the G650, Gulfstream was able to bring to market the most incredible highspeed wing. In 2014, Gulfstream introduced the higher MTOW G650ER model, busting the traditional 100,000 lbs purpose-built business aircraft MTOW limit. The ER additional 4,000 lbs of fuel capacity enabled an additional 500 nm range increase compared to the standard model.
Although the G650 features a technologically advanced 3-axis Fly-by-wire flight control system with full flight envelope protection. Gulfstream decided to maintain the control column and yoke controls for an easy transition of the G550 flying crews. The PlaneView® II cockpit is powered by the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics suite
GULFSTREAM|G650 The G650 offers the largest purpose-built business jet cross-section designed inside a large oval fuselage. Fitted with 16 wide Gulfstream signature elliptical cabin windows, the G650 cabin offers three living zones complemented by large galleys and a crew rest station optimized for long-haul operations. The wide cabin allows for a large selection of cabin configurations, including enclosed aft stateroom, 6 place conference grouping, and Gulfstream unique optional aft galley arrangement.
MAX PASSENGERS 19 CABIN VOLUME : 2,138 cu.ft
INTERIOR MEASUREMENTS Height 6 ft 3 in Width 8 ft 2 in Length 46 ft 10 in BAGGAGE STORAGE Internal External
195 cu.ft N/A
3 Living zones configuration with Fwd Crew rest
4 Living zones configuration ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE | 17
BOMBARDIER GLOBAL 7500
THE TWO IN ONE
Entry in service BASE PRICE : PERFORMANCE Max Range* Max Cruise Speed Takeoff Distance Landing Distance Max Cruise Altitude Initial Cruise Altitude
2018 75,000,000
$
7,700 nm 0.925M 5,760 ft 2,237 ft 51,000 ft 43,000 ft
* 8 Passengers, 4 Crew, M 0.85, NBAA IFR reserves
WEIGHT Max Takeoff Max Landing Max Zero Fuel Usable Fuel
114,850 lb 87,600 lb 67,500 lb 51,850 lb
SYSTEMS AVIONICS Manufacturer
Collins Aerospace
Model ENGINES Manufacturer Model Thrust
Pro Line Fusion GE Passport 18,920 lbf
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The ultra-long-range Global 7500 originally launched as the Global 7000 is the top-end offering from Canadian-based aircraft manufacturer Bombardier. Combining a unique four zones cabin, state-of-the-art transonic wing, and advanced fly-by-wire technology. Launched in 2010, the prototype flew on November 4, 2016, and achieved certification only in December 2018 with two years delays due to a midcertification wing redesign. The Global 7500 aircraft stand alone as the world’s largest and longest-range Business Jet. The Global 7500 is the only Business Jet powered by the General Electric (GE) Passport engine. This 20,000 lbf class engine combines the latest technologies from GE’s extensive portfolio of commercial and military engine programs, including the largest single piece 52-inch diameter fan blisk (bladed disk). The Global 7500 is the first and only Fly-by-wire equipped Business Jet from Bombardier, which took advantage of the technology developed on its commercial aircraft side with the CSeries program. The Vision Cockpit based on the proven Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite incorporates all the latest CNS technologies on four 15inch high-resolution displays in a Tshape configuration.
BOMBARDIER|GLOBAL 7500 The Global aircraft family offers an exceptional cabin experience with its wide-open large living spaces. The elegantly redefined interior lines create an aesthetic masterpiece. The interior offering benefits from the new generation of Bombardier Nuage seats, designed to maximize comfort and relaxation on long-haul flights with an ergonomically perfected deep recline position and a patented floating base, which allows the seat to track and swivel naturally and effortlessly and without visible floor rails. The four zones cabin of the Global 7500 offers limitless customization possibilities ranging from a fully private Master suite with a stand-up shower in the En-Suite to the elegant sixseating conference suite, allowing for business lunch or family dinner. The cabin is complemented with a permanently accessible and well-equipped crew rest area designed to maximize comfort and privacy on long-haul flights together with the largest and most well-appointed kitchen in any business jet. The Global 7500 introduces many innovations such as the Soleil lighting system, offering a circadian rhythm-based cabin lighting system fully integrated into the aircraft Flight Management System (FMS) with a revolutionary dynamic daylight simulation featured to help combat jet lag.
MAX PASSENGERS 19 CABIN VOLUME : 2,442 cu.ft
INTERIOR MEASUREMENTS Height 6 ft 2 in Width 8 ft Length 54 ft 5 in BAGGAGE STORAGE Internal External
195 cu.ft N/A
4 Living zones configuration with Aft state room ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE | 19
GULFSTREAM G700
RESTORING THE THRONE Entry in service BASE PRICE : PERFORMANCE Max Range* Max Cruise Speed Takeoff Distance Landing Distance Max Cruise Altitude Initial Cruise Altitude
2022 78,000,000
$
7,500 nm 0.925M 6,250 ft N/A 51,000 ft 41,000 ft
* 8 Passengers, 4 Crew, M 0.85, NBAA IFR reserves
WEIGHT Max Takeoff Max Landing Max Zero Fuel Usable Fuel SYSTEMS AVIONICS Manufacturer Model ENGINES Manufacturer Model Thrust
107,600 lb 83,500 lb 62,750 lb 49,400 lb
Honeywell Primus Epic Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 18,250 lbf
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The new G700 flagship jet will allow Gulfstream to restore its position at the highest end of the business jet offering. This stretched G650 derivative, features a new advanced high-speed winglet combined with higher thrust next-generation engines from Rolls-Royce. Gulfstream introduced the G700 in October 2019 with a full-scale cabin mock-up and an aircraft taxiing under its own power. The G700 brings the best in Gulfstream technologies combining the innovation of the G500 and G600 award-winning Symmetry Flight Deck with the legendary performance of the G650ER.
The G700 will offer the most advanced flight deck of any business or commercial aircraft. The Symmetry Flight Deck™ features active control sidesticks that increase visual and tactile feedback between pilots. The Honeywell avionics powered Flight Deck is configured with four 14.1-inch LCD Displays, two 5-inch Standby Flight Displays, four Touchscreen controllers, and two Gulfstream signature Cursors Control Devices (CCD).
GULFSTREAM|G700 The G700 features the longest, widest and tallest cabin in the industry with 20 Gulfstream panoramic oval windows and up to five living areas. The aircraft introduces many all-new interior differentiators, including an ultragalley with more than 10 feet of counter space and a crew compartment or passenger lounge; the industry’s only ultra-high-definition circadian lighting system; speakerless surround sound; and a master suite with an optional shower.
MAX PASSENGERS 19 CABIN VOLUME : 2,603 cu.ft
INTERIOR MEASUREMENTS Height 6 ft 3 in Width 8 ft 2 in Length 56 ft 11 in BAGGAGE STORAGE Internal External
195 cu.ft N/A
4 Living Zones Configuration
5 Living Zones Configuration ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE | 21
DASSAULT FALCON 10X
THE TITAN WITH A FRENCH TOUCH Entry Into Service BASE PRICE : $
2025 75,000,000
PERFORMANCE Max Range* Max Cruise Speed Takeoff Distance Landing Distance Max Cruise Altitude
7,500 nm 0.925M < 6,000 ft < 2,500 ft 51,000 ft
Initial Cruise Altitude
N/A
The new Dassault Aviation flagship Falcon 10X is the most ambitious business jet program launched by the French-based manufacturer. When entering service in 2025, the 10X would become the largest and most capable purpose-built business jet, offering over 150 cubic feet more volume than its closest competitors from Gulfstream and Bombardier. Designed with the latest aerodynamics advancements, the 10X will be capable of a top speed of Mach 0.925 and exceptional low-speed performance allowing for London City airport operations.
* 8 Passengers, 4 crew, M 0.85,NBAA IFR reserves
WEIGHT Max Takeoff Max Landing Max Zero Fuel Usable Fuel SYSTEMS AVIONICS Manufacturer Model ENGINES Manufacturer Model Thrust
115,000 lb N/A 67,800 lb 51,700 lb
Honeywell Primus Epic Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X 18,000+ lb
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The Falcon 10X flight deck will be powered by Honeywell’s nextgeneration Primus Epic avionics suite. The 10X will feature Honeywell’s new touchscreen technology throughout the cockpit. This technology is aimed at making displays more intuitive, integrated, and user-friendly, thus easing workload, and improving The Falcon 10X flight deck will be powered by Honeywell’s next-generation Primus Epic avionics suite. The 10X will feature Honeywell’s new touchscreen technology communications in the cockpit. throughout the cockpit. This technology is aimed making displaysDigital more intuitive, The at Next-generation flightintegrated, and user-friendly, thus easing workload, and improving communications control system will benefit from in the cockpit. The Next-generation Digital flight-control system will benefit from Dassault’s extensive experience in Dassault’s extensive experience in both business and military jets. The 10X will both business and military jets. be equipped with dual HUD featuring the combined vision FalconEye™ technology. .
DA S SAU LT |FA L CO N 1 0 X With an 8-inch wider cabin than its closest competitors, the falcon 10X will bring unprecedented flexibility in the purpose-built business jet offering, allowing for passengers easier crossing in the aisle and straight stand up even well off the cabin centerline. The forward lavatory will have more space in all dimensions, making it more suitable for passengers, as well as crew, and every galley compartment will have now more storage volume than ever before. The baseline arrangement separates the interior into four equal sections of 8 feet, 10 inches, and four windows a side each. The 10X stateroom can be equipped with a full-size queen bed. The 10X will feature advanced noise reduction technologies allowing for a quieter cabin even at higher cruise speed. With 38 new designed 50% larger windows, the 10X will offer the brightest cabin in business aviation.
MAX PASSENGERS 19 CABIN VOLUME : 2,780 cu.ft
INTERIOR MEASUREMENTS Height 6 ft 8 in Width 9 ft 1 in Length 53 ft 10 in BAGGAGE STORAGE Internal External
198 cu.ft N/A
4 Living zones Cabin configuration with large aft state room ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE | 23
GULFSTREAM G800
THE 8,000 nm G650 Entry Into Service BASE PRICE : $ PERFORMANCE Max Range* Max Cruise Speed Takeoff Distance Landing Distance Max Cruise Altitude Initial Cruise Altitude
2023 71,500,000
8,000 nm 0.925M 6,000 ft N/A 51,000 ft 41,000 ft
Launched in October 2021, The Ultra long-range Gulfstream G800 combines all the G700 developed advancements with a shorter G650 sized fuselage. The G800 will bring unprecedented mission flexibility allowing for up to 8,000 nm nonstop city-pairs connection at Mach 0.85 or 7,000 nm range at Mach 0.90 high-speed allowing up to 1.5 hours flight time savings.
* 8 Passengers, 4 Crew, M 0.85, NBAA IFR reserves
WEIGHT Max Takeoff Max Landing Max Zero Fuel Usable Fuel
105,600 lb 83,500 lb 60,500 lb 49,400 lb
SYSTEMS AVIONICS Manufacturer
Honeywell
Model ENGINES Manufacturer Model Thrust
Primus Epic Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 18,250 lbf
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The G800 will offer the most advanced flight deck of any business or commercial aircraft. The Symmetry Flight Deck™ features active control sidesticks that increase visual and tactile feedback between pilots. The Honeywell avionics powered Flight Deck is configured with four 14.1-inch LCD Displays, two 5-inch Standby Flight Displays, four Touchscreen controllers, and two Gulfstream signature Cursors Control Devices.
BOMBARDIER GLOBAL 8000
TO BE OR NOT TO BE Entry Into Service Not Announced BASE PRICE : $ 71,000,000 PERFORMANCE Max Range* Max Cruise Speed Takeoff Distance Landing Distance Max Cruise Altitude Initial Cruise Altitude
7,900 nm 0.925M 5,880 ft 2,450 ft 51,000 ft 43,000 ft
* 8 Passengers, 4 Crew, M 0.85, NBAA IFR reserves
WEIGHT** Max Takeoff Max Landing Max Zero Fuel Usable Fuel
104,800 lb 85,800 lb 60,000 lb 48,950 lb
** 2016 Launch Figures
SYSTEMS AVIONICS Manufacturer Model ENGINES Manufacturer Model Thrust
Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion GE Passport 16,500 lbf
In 2010 Bombardier launched a new flagship, ultra-long-range global aircraft family with a four-zone cabin Global 7000 and a 7,900 nm three-zone cabin Global 8000. This state-of-the-art family introduced a new high-speed transonic wing and advanced fly-by-wire technology. The Global 7000 achieved certification in December 2018 and was able to demonstrate a 300 nm higher range capability. With a 7,700 nm range, the 7000 model was re-branded to the Global 7500. Although still part of Bombardier Portfolio, the narrower range gap and the high demand for the Global 7500 has put the Global 8000 development on hold with no entry into service date announced.
The Global 8000 will feature the Global 7500 Fly-by-wire technology with full flight envelope protection. The Vision Cockpit based on the proven Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite incorporates all the latest technology on four 15-inch high-resolution displays in a T-shape configuration.
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Picture © Boeing
BIZLINERS VS PURPOSE-BUILT BIZJETS By Thomas Chatfield – CEO, Camber Aviation Management
In this analysis , we’ll introduce the benefits and drawbacks of the latest generation long-range, large-cabin business jets and the latest Bizliner offerings by Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) and Boeing Business Jets (BBJ). In our overview, we’ll consider diverse productivity parameters together with current market values.
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Bizliners VS Bizjets
In terms of performance, safety, comfort, and luxury, today's corporate aviation market offer a wide selection of exceptional aircraft with an array of different attributes. This abundance of choice can be overwhelming for both aspiring and experienced corporate jet owners, as there are multiple parameters to consider before the final decision on what type of aircraft best suits your needs. This analysis will shed a light on key aspects between current and under-development purpose-built Business Jets and the ACJ and BBJ Bizliners.
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Business Jets
Bizliners
Bombardier Global 7500
Airbus ACJ319neo
Gulfstream G650ER
Airbus ACJ320neo
Gulfstream G700
Boeing BBJ Max7
Dassault Falcon 10X
Boeing BBJ Max8
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Bizliners VS Bizjets
PASSENGERS EXPERIENCE
CABIN From a passenger perspective, the size of the cabin is the main differentiator between each of these aircraft categories. While fuselage length determines the size and number of zones in an aircraft interior, it is the height and width of the cabin that determine which layouts are possible and how spacious an interior can be.
BAGGAGE Business Jets have limited baggage volume if a full passenger load is carried (Gulfstreams for example have 195 ft³ of baggage space). Note that an average suitcase is 8 ft³ which equates to about 15 - 18 suitcases (the new Falcon 10X will have 200ft³ of baggage space). For Bizliners, representative baggage volume is determined by the number of auxiliary fuel tanks installed, which unless the absolute maximum number of tanks is installed, will easily exceed the baggage capacity of each of the Business Jets discussed in this report. For passengers who like to travel with all the comforts of home or enjoy shopping during the trip, a Bizliner may be the ideal solution.
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Bizliners VS Bizjets
PERFORMANCE
RANGE Business Jets in this category are designed to fly ultra-long distances at high speed with a long-range cruise of M0.85 and a high-cruise speed of M0.90 (the compromise for higher speed is, of course, lower fuel efficiency and reduced range). At long-range cruise, each of the Business Jets in this category flies well over 7,000nm. These jets are characterized by high cruise altitude (normally 51,000 feet), flying high above the weather, with a lower cabin altitude to make long-distance journeys less stressful on passengers and crew (generally below 5,000-foot cabin altitude). Bizliners have similar flying characteristics, but with lower cruising speeds. At altitude and in long range cruise, the business jets in this article will cruise at approximately 60knots TAS faster than the bizliners, taking approximately an hour and fifteen minutes to complete a 5,000nm flight (9:45 versus 11:00 hours). However, it needs to be considered that while the ACJ and BBJ are somewhat slower, their cabins offer considerably more space in which to enjoy the flight. On an overnight flight it can be argued that a Bizliner gives the owner the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful dinner with their guests before having a good night’s sleep and a light breakfast before landing.
Bizliners range, which can vary between 4,000nm and 7,000nm, is determined by the number of auxiliary fuel tanks installed in the lower cargo holds, but also the weight of the cabin. Aircraft interior design directly impacts range. Opting for a more spacious cabin design language will invariably reduce the number of monuments and, when combined with lightweight materials, lower overall cabin weight and increase range
RUNWAY PERFORMANCE In terms of runway performance, Business Jets have been optimized to have shorter take-off and landing distances, which allows them to operate out of smaller airports than Bizliners. This enhanced performance is
achieved by employing sophisticated wing designs that incorporate leading edge and trailing edge high lift devices.
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Bizliners VS Bizjets
OUTFITTING PROCESS With a Business Jet, a new owner purchases a “completed” or outfitted aircraft from Bombardier, Dassault, or Gulfstream, which means that each OEM offers the client the opportunity to select a predefined floorplan from a catalogue, after which the client can select options including communications and entertainment systems, as well as galley fitment. When you have decided which floorplan you prefer, you are presented with the selection of finishes and materials. This stage is conducted, generally, at the OEM design center, where seats, monuments and
cabin cross-sections are on display together with leather, fabric, carpet, wood and stone veneers, carbon surfaces, along with different types of metal plating. For example, you can see how this is achieved remotely at the initial stage of the design if you visit the Bombardier configurator. Exterior livery begins with a simple selection of speed stripes on a white fuselage; however, OEMs are willing to develop custom paint liveries unique to an individual aircraft at an additional cost.
Green BBJ enroute to outfitting In contrast to the Business Jet process, Bizliners are delivered “green” from the OEM. This means that the exterior is (generally) not painted with only has a green primer application. The interior is literally empty and ready for your design ideas. And while this gives you a clean sheet of paper and space to craft an aircraft absolutely down to the last detail in accordance with your needs, the outfitting process requires: ▪ a Completion Manager ▪ an Interior Designer, and ▪ a Completion Center
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Designing the optimum cabin requires a thorough understanding of client needs, cultural requirements, and expectations, which are then used to develop an initial floor plan which is then jointly refined between the client, designer, and completion manager until it is perfect. Material selections are made to ensure that finishes reflect the client’s sense of style and aesthetics. Cabin systems including communications, entertainment, lighting, and galley are defined and, together with the layout and materials are included in the detailed cabin specification. This extensive document is used to obtain quotes from preferred completion centers from which the preferred supplier is selected and the terms of the agreement, including costing and schedule, are negotiated.
Bizliners VS Bizjets
OUTFITTING PROCESS OUTFITTING PROCESS
Green 787 Cabin
The completion manager works closely with the designer and completion center, to transition design intent into a cabin that is comfortable, functional, and reliable, and then oversees the entire outfitting process to ensure that client expectations and quality standards are met. During interior production and installation, a completion manager will ensure the correct build and compliance with specifications and quality standards to ensure a smooth customer acceptance and delivery process.
Green Airbus single-aisle Cabin
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Bizliners VS Bizjets
CABIN DESIGN CABIN DESIGN Clients purchasing a Business Jet cabin are limited to cabin layouts predefined and engineered by the OEM unless the client is willing to underwrite the not insignificant engineering and certification costs of a custom cabin. Business Jet layouts are inherently limited due to the physical width of the cabins. Generally, you can select from a combination of club seats, a four (or optional six) passenger conference/dining table, side facing divans, credenzas, sideledge tables, and, in this category of large-cabin Business Jets, the option of a private bedroom with either a fixed bed or a divan that converts into a bed. There will be two lavatories onboard: one for crew and one for passengers, although when principal is using the private suite, the other passengers must use the forward (crew) lavatory. An optional shower is luxurious but small and takes away cabin space as the aft lavatory simply requires more space to accommodate the shower.
Picture © Bombardier
Visit Bombardier, Dassault, and Gulfstream websites to get a better feeling for the aesthetics, comfort, and capabilities of the individual aircraft offerings.
The Business Jet OEM will present to you several different solutions for every aspect of the cabin, which may include: ▪ Satellite communications system ▪ Inflight entertainment ▪ Galley style/size and capabilities ▪ Heated wood or stone veneer floors ▪ Upgrades flight deck avionics to increase operational capabilities
TURN-KEY Bizliners Recently, both Airbus and Boeing have begun to market “turn-key” services whereby Airbus or Boeing is focal for the client, selecting/arranging designers and completion centers and then using either their own staff or contracted third parties to perform the completion management role. This may be a more expensive and, possibly, a longer completion cycle 32 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
than working with an expert completion manager directly, but some clients prefer to work exclusively with the OEM. Generally, hiring your own completion manager to run the complete outfitting package offers greater flexibility and, in many cases, a more cost-effective approach.
Bizliners VS Bizjets
CABIN DESIGN CABIN DESIGN With a Bizliner, the layout of the cabin is not limited by OEM standard layout offerings, instead the cabin is bespoke – a unique design that fulfills the new owner’s requirements and reflects their senses of taste. Cabin design will reflect not only the mission length and number of passengers, but also the required number of sleeping positions, the meal service as well as spaces to relax, to meet, collaborate enjoy one another’s company. The spacious cabin is divided into customized zones to reflect owner expectations. There are generally three lavatories: crew, passengers and private suite. The crew also has an entirely separate rest area.
Acropolis Aviation’s Airbus ACJ320neo features a luxurious cabin designed by Yves Pickardt from Alberto Pinto and installed by leading completion specialist AMAC Aerospace.
Visit Airbus ACJ and Boeing BBJ platforms to get a better feeling for the aesthetics, comfort and feeling of the individual ACJ and BBJ aircraft offerings.
Picture : Courtesy Acropolis Aviation
Depending on client needs and missions, the interior may be fitted with: ▪ private suite with a large (queen or larger) fixed bed and ensuite bathroom (with shower or even a steam shower) ▪ main lounge ▪ private office ▪ sitting areas ▪ media room with large screen monitor and surround sound ▪ guest bedroom ▪ professional galley with multiple ovens, refrigeration, beverage makers and similar for your onboard chef ▪ crew rest area (for long-range missions)
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Bizliners VS Bizjets
PRE-OWNED BIZLINERS
Boeing BBJ1 he latest generation ACJ319neo and ACJ320neo entered service in the past two years, replacing the ACJ319ceo and ACJ320ceo aircraft. Neo refers to the “new engine option” replacing the ceo “classic engine option” CFM56 or V2500 engines with the CFM LEAP or Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines. The BBJMax7 and BBJMax8 replace the BBJ1 and the BBJ2, respectively, swapping the CFM56 engines with the more fuel-efficient CFM LEAP engines. Both the Airbus neo and the Boeing Max aircraft offer lower fuel burn and, as a result, longer range with lower engine noise. The purchase of a pre-owned previous generation ACJ319/320ceo or a BBJ1 or BBJ2 offers exceptional value and should be seriously considered by a prospective owner. These aircraft may be 10 – 20 years old, which is the equivalent to only two years of airliner service. Importantly, they have already been substantially depreciated. Both types are generally well taken care of and are often hangered, meaning that there is considerable life remaining in these aircraft. Buyers considering the acquisition of an
T
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ACJ319/320ceo or a BBJ1 or BBJ2 will need to consider that most aircraft in this category will need system upgrades and cabin refurbishment or, possibly, reconfiguration of the cabin to fulfill the owner’s requirements and sense of style. Refurbishment of one of these aircraft is a cost- and time-effective alternative to the purchase of a brandnew green ACJ or BBJ that will require outfitting. The difference between a pre-owned and a new, latest generation ACJ or BBJ is characterized by a short time between purchase to entry into service (3 – 8 months versus 24+ months for new aircraft) with all-up costs less than 1/3 of the price of a new model ( the ultimate amount is dependent on the price of the aircraft and the extensiveness of the refit ). Done right, it will be difficult to tell a freshly (and properly) refurbished ACJ or BBJ from a newly outfitted aircraft. Fresh paint, a new cabin, an updated flight deck, and the latest technology SATCOM, IFE, and galley systems can give these aircraft a full new life.
Bizliners VS Bizjets
PRICING PRICING
T
here is a considerable difference between the purchase price of a Business Jet and a Bizliner, as the first is an aircraft configured to meet the owner’s
requirements based on a limited number of layouts, systems, features, and finishes. The Business Jet owner selects their preferences, pays the negotiated purchase price, and receives the completed aircraft, ready to enter operations. The owner of a new-build Bizliner takes acceptance of a green aircraft and begins with a “blank canvas” that requires the design and outfitting of the cabin, installation of various systems, and application of the
exterior livery, to list the major but not all of the steps to prepare the aircraft for its entry-into-service. The Bizliner owner pays the OEM for the green aircraft and then must pay for the completion of the aircraft, which will include the designer, completion center, completion manager, and, potentially, other suppliers. In the table below, the list prices of Business jets and green aircraft are provided together with budgets for the completion of the Bizliner models.
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Picture © Airbus
HYBRID MODEL | The ACJ TwoTwenty Here Airbus has taken the best of the Business Jet and the Bizliner worlds combining a large airliner airframe with a modular approach to designing the interior. The catalogue offers new owners' layouts and options that can be selected, which are pre-engineered to reduce costs and help the new owner decide. Configurator software is available on the ACJ website to allow potential owners (and interested parties) to “play” with the cabin layout Airbus has contracted with Comlux to exclusively outfit the ACJ220. Clients purchase the aircraft directly from Airbus with outfitting performed exclusively by Comlux. Based on the Airbus A220-100 aircraft which normally would carry 120 passengers, this cabin is configured to carry up to 19 passengers in comfort.
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Bizliners VS Bizjets
CONCLUSION
T
his analysis presents key attributes distinct to large-cabin business jets and the latest offerings by Airbus Corporate Jets and Boeing Business Jets. This comparison can help both present and future jet owners have a clearer understanding of these aircraft types. Of course, there are many more details that will need to be evaluated and considered before a potential buyer can decide which type is best fitted for them. The best advice is to start with a thorough and thoughtful conversation with the different OEMs or with
an independent corporate aircraft expert to identify the best possible solution: new or pre-owned, Business Jet or Bizliner. Only then can you decide on how and with whom you will work with for the entire purchase and outfitting or refurbishment process. This will help you determine whether you need a Business Jet or Bizliner, and both options are fine, as long they are right for you and your requirements.
The Author Tom is a leader in aircraft completions and refurbishment management, and a corporate jet visionary with over 35 years of experience in the aviation industry. Tom is a trained avionics technician holding Transport Canada and EASA Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licences, with an MSc in Airline Transport Management from Cranfield University. He has held Part 145 and CAMO Postholder positions: managed operations, maintenance, and engineering departments; performed aircraft acceptances and lease returns; and recovered aircraft from challenging situations.
Thomas Chatfield
Tom manages a team of experts that supervise the complex process of transforming airliners into corporate jets - from selecting the right aircraft to cabin design, engineering, fabrication, and certification through to delivery. Camber Aviation Management and Tom’s passion is to innovate, pushing the barriers of what is possible in Large Cabin Jet completions, delivering the best aircraft, individually tailored to the requirements of Camber’s clientele.
CEO, Camber Aviation Management Tom Chatfield LinkedIn Camber Aviation Management LinkedIn www.camberaviation.com ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE | 37
CORPORATE JET aS a SERVICE CJaaS A REVOLUTION IN THE MAKING Business aircraft are time machines! They consistently save travel time over airline travel and access many more airports than airlines serve. With the pandemic, more and more companies have or consider to broaden the list of individuals who are or will be permitted to use company jets creating even more complexity for their flight departments. With the CJaaS offering, there is finally an offer that can help these companies fully customize their lift solution without the complexity of operating a complex flight department. 38 38 ||ELITE ELITEWINGS WINGSMAGAZINE MAGAZINE
Through a game-changing flexible business model, Four Corners Aviation (FCA) is quietly introducing a new revolution in corporate air travel. This unprecedented suite of services will allow Business Jets users to truly experience all the freedom, flexibility, and convenience of whole ownership, without the responsibilities, expense, and hassles. This entirely new business segment called Corporate Jet as a Service (CJaaS) is the next major evolution in Business Aviation since pre-paid jet cards – CEOprograms Camberintroduced Aviation Management introductionBy in Tom 2001Chatfield and fractional in 1986. By creating this segment, Four Corners Aviation wants to become to CJaaS, what NetJets is to Fractional.
VS
Bizliners
Purpose Build Bizjets HIGHEST LEVEL SERVICE OFFERING ▪ Same Aircraft, Same Crew, Same Facilities ▪ When and where you want it ▪ Without ownership SIMPLIFIED ADMINISTRATION ▪ Administration via a single services contract ▪ Accounting with fixed pricing ▪ Simplified Reporting (No SEC & Simplified IRS) PREDICTABLE COST STRUCTURE ▪ 5 years term ▪ Monthly Access Fee ▪ Hourly Fee + Fuel Adjustment + Incidentals
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CORPORATE JET aS a SERVICE Picture © Dassault Aviation
CJaaS is particularly suited for highly customizable next generation Ultra-Long-Range Jets and Bizliners Cameron Gowans, President and COO at Four Corners Aviation answers Elite Wings questions. In November 2021, Four Corners Aviation launched the industry disruptive Corporate Jet as a Service (CJaaS) concept, branded Freedom by Four Corner. What is it exactly? Inspired by the IT industry’s widely adopted Software as a Service (SaaS) offering model, FREEDOM by Four Corners CJaaS offering is specifically designed for those Corporate Jet users looking for a highly tailored service that was so far only accessible through full ownership of the airplane. The service offers customers a unique experience with full control of the aircraft type and configuration, the operating facilities, and a dedicated crew. This well-designed and financially strong solution allow customers to focus on their core competencies while integrating Four Corners corporate aviation deep expertise. 40 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
Is there a segment of the market where this offering will be particularly attractive? We believe the CJaaS is the next breakthrough development in private aircraft transportation. Although the fractional aircraft offering model allowed fantastic growth in the industry. This shared asset model does not address a large segment of the market requiring a very high level of service customization. The introduction of even more sophisticated ultra-long-range Business Jets and Bizliners with a large customization offering is making the concept of fractional ownership of these assets unattractive in this market segment. We believe that the CJaaS offering will enable tremendous growth in that market segment similar to what fractional ownership achieved in the midsize and super-midsize categories.
Fractional Vs CJaaS Where Fractional ownership has proven very successful in both the Light and Medium size categories, the offering in the Long Range and Bizliner categories has been very limited, mainly due to the Complexity of asset sharing and the high level of customization on these segments and; With the tremendous growth in these two segments and the arrival of more offerings from Bombardier, Gulfstream, Dassault and the introduction of the A220 and re-engine single-aisle offering from BBJ and ACJs. CJaaS seems to be one of the few offerings that is well adapted to these highly customizable jet categories.
Netjets fleet by categories
With four living spaces, the new generation of Ultra-Long-range jets from Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Dassault Aviation offers limitless customization possibilities making them less attractive to shared ownership concepts
FROM A FLIGHT DEPARTMENT TO FREEDOM CJaaS – A SIX STEPS PROCESS
1
DEVELOP FLEET PLAN
FCA and client staff develop a fleet plan for ongoing operations with supplemental lift options
4
FLEET PURCHASE
FCA purchases ongoing fleet and conforms aircraft to FAR Part 135 operations
2
OPERATIONS AGREEMENT
FCA and client enter into agreement for operations
5
EMPLOYEES TRANSITION
FCA and HR work through rebalancing plan for compensation/benefits
TRANSITION PLAN
3
FCA and client staff build a transition plan for aircraft and employees
6
COMPLETE TRANSITION
FCA begins operations ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE | 41
DESIGNER CORNER YACHTING
ABBASLI DESIGN Studio Established by industrial designer and architect Ucal Abbaslı in 2020 after more than 6 years working in the nautical industry. The studio is located in the heart of the Caspian Sea, Baku Azerbaijan. The Abbasli design studio services include exterior and interior design of desired yachts together with supervision during the construction. All projects start with conceptual sketches to the final CAD delivery to the shipyard with photorealistic visualizations. 42 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
S
“Sculpturing architecture on water” the Abbasli Design studio’s philosophy is all in this sentence. We believe that the architectural approach is the key to achieving the best results in terms of connecting people, living spaces, and water both in exterior and interior ways. From the establishment of the studio, Ucal Abbasli has been designing more than 20 yachts and boats in a range of dimensions from 8 meters up to 80 meters for shipyards and private clients from all over the world.
Designer of the all-new 77m
MOGUL 777
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MOGUL 777 Mogul 777 is the result of the collaboration between yacht influencer Denis Suka and yacht designer Ucal Abbasli
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Mogul 777 is a 255 feet (77.7m) superyacht concept with sporty and sleek lines aiming to connect the owners and the quests with nature and the sea. Designed for a maximum speed of 17 knots. Construction materials are steel hull and aluminum superstructure.
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Mogul 777 features open and functional open spaces yet with engaging experiences. The yacht has 2 swimming pools, one open in the owner’s deck and one closed in the beach club, and on the sun deck, it has a jacuzzi with a panoramic view. In the bow of the owner’s deck, we have a touch-and-go helipad, on the aft, we have huge open social spaces. This is the best part of the yacht where the owner can host parties and spend time with friends and family. Furthermore, an increase to the beam (14 m) has permitted an additional owner’s deck with a forward-facing suite that has panoramic views over the bow and access to a private outside deck area with the pool. On the main deck, we installed an aquarium
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directly into the deck surface between aft seating areas which is transparent and you can see through it directly to the pool in the beach club area. And from the pool in the beach club, you can enjoy the natural lights that come through the aquarium. The yacht has a functional and spacious beach club area thanks to installed huge glass openings in the side. The glasses can be opened and transformable platforms can be used to connect the sea and beach club area. The interior is fully customizable according to the owner’s needs and has impressive levels of accommodation with flexibility for up to 18 guests.
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2022 WINTER AVIATION SUMMIT HÔTEL DES TROIS COURONNES • VEVEY SWITZERLAND MARCH 24 , 2022
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At the WAS we bring together the people that make business aviation a success. We offer a unique setup that promotes new synergies and allows you to reinforce relationships. The sixth edition of the Winter Aviation Summit will include more participants, high-profile speakers, VIP meetings, a touch of well-being, and an overall experience that is unequaled by any other event in the industry. Very much looking forward to seeing you there.
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US BUSINESS AVIATION
2021 MARKET RECOVERY
IN NUMBERS By Clement Zhang – Managing Director FlightBI LLC
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+ 52% 2021 Vs 2020 Total Traffic Growth
In 2021, there were 1,828,569 business aviation flights tracked in, from, and to the US with 2,864,279 flight hours. That is 5,010 flights every day on average. The number of daily flights grew 26% from 3,976 flights per day in PreCovid 2019.
US Business Aviation Daily Flights 2018
6,500
2019
2020
2021
5,500
4,500
3,500
2,500
1,500
source: FlightBI
500
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
The level of business aviation activities was flat for years in the US. Since the COVID-19 pandemic which first hit in March 2020, business aviation traffic saw a big drop similar to commercial aviation, then it very quickly recovered reaching pre-pandemic levels as early as July 2020 and maintaining this level until spring 2021. From March 2021,
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
business aviation flights were boosted. After one year, many bizjet first-time flyers had accepted the fact that the pandemic would not go away soon and private flying become part of their regular plans and budget. From then on, the Business Aviation industry is enjoying a historic boom in traffic.
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2021 IN NUMBERS FLORIDA TAKE OVER CALIFORNIA
250,000 200,000
2019
150,000
2021
100,000
50,000 0 CA
FL
TX
NJ
NY
CO MA
IL
GA
VA
PA
OH
NC
NV
AZ
MI
TN MO
2021 vs. 2019 Business Aviation Flights by Origin State (source:FlightBI) 60,000
TOP 3 Business aviation airports
50,000 2019
40,000
1- TETERBORO, NJ - New York 2- WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Fort Lauderdale 3- WHITE PLAINS, NY - New York
2021
30,000 20,000 10,000 0 KTEB
KPBI
KHPN
KVNY
KLAS
KDAL
KSNA
KIAD
KAPF
2021 vs. 2019 Business Aviation Flights by Origin Airport (source:FlightBI)
In 2021 all states achieved significant growth. Florida however is the largest winner: the number of total flights increased from 131,507 in 2019 to 217,914 in 2021. This amazing 65.7% growth put Florida ahead of California as the state with the most business aviation flights in the year. West Palm Beach Airport (KPBI) in Florida saw a 91% growth from 2019, making it the second-largest airport in total business aviation flights. Teterboro Airport (KTEB) is still number one. But it only gained a modest 2.4% total flights increase from 2019 to 2021. Another airport serving New York City (KHPN) had seen better performance, with a growth rate of 28% from 2019 to 2021.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL 52 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE 52 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
+91%
+107%
MIAMI, FL
2021
The number of flights by Light, Medium, and Large jets increased by more than 30% from normal levels in 2019. The growth by turboprop aircraft is moderate (9.8%) since many turboprop flights operate on regular routes, demand on those routes shared the same misfortune as commercial airlines. The limited growth of Long-Range Jet traffic is directly linked to longdistance international flights restrictions.
IN NUMBERS
JETS
400,000 2019
350,000
2021
300,000 250,000 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000
0
Turboprop
Very Light
Light
Super Light
+ 10 %
TURBOPROP
+ 33 %
LIGHT MEDIUM LARGE
+ 18 %
LONG RANGE
Midsize
Super Midsize
Large
The top US market players were able to preserve their market share, with NetJets continuing to lead the market with around 1/5 of total traffic. The pandemic situation is also boosting some smaller players, such as Fly Exclusive who are in the top 2021 operators list.
2019 MARKET SHARE
2021 MARKET SHARE
(By number of flights)
(By number of flights)
NetJets Wheels Up Flexjet Vista Global PlaneSense Jet Linx JSX CFM Flight Options Solarus Aviation Others
21% 8.1% 4.7% 3.4% 2.1% 1.6% 1.4% 1.0% 0.9% 0.9% 55%
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Long Range
1,451,114
1,828,569
TOTAL
TOTAL
NetJets Wheels Up Flexjet Vista Global PlaneSense Jet Linx Fly Exclusive JSX Solarus Aviation Others
19.2% 6.5% 6.0% 2.5% 1.9% 1.6% 1.5% 1.2% 1.1% 58.5%
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2021 IN NUMBERS Monthly Usage By Aircraft Category (hrs.) Turboprop
70.
Light
Midsize
Large
60. 50. 40. 30. 20. 10. 0. 5 2018
0
10
15
2019 20
25
30 2020
35
40
2021
45
The utilization of Midsize Jets is always the highest among all business aviation aircraft. In 2021, the overall utilization of Midsize Jets grew from about 40 hours per month at the beginning of the year to 60 hours per month by the end of the year. The utilization of Light Jets and Large Jets also reached a new high level. Only the utilization of Turboprops is relatively flat after it recovered from the first COVID hit. 2021
Monthly Flights by Aircraft Category 180,000
Turboprop
Light
Midsize
Large
Others
160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0
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2019
2020
2021
2021 IN NUMBERS There is no doubt, 2021 was a great year for business aviation! And we think 2022 will be a good year too. If the pandemic lingers around, people will prefer private flying over commercial flights. If the pandemic stops early, some passengers will stay with private flying and some others will increase travel frequency, as there will be fewer interruptions due to infected pilots and staff. All these factors will keep business aviation demand high, at least in 2022.
Flight BI Flight Business Intelligence Flight BI is a Business Intelligence (BI) solution provider for the global aviation industry. We build data warehouse products and web applications to help airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers, and other travel-related businesses make data-driven strategic and operational decisions intuitively.
service@flightbi.com
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2022
Picture © Dassault Aviation
CABIN CONNECTIVITY GUIDE 56 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
2022 CABIN CONNECTIVITY GUIDE
Getting to Grips With
CABIN CONNECTIVITY
In a world where we’ve never been so connected, Business Aviation is no exception. Today’s business jets passengers expect to be connected, productive, and entertained – anywhere they fly. With an ever-evolving technologies breakthrough and more and more sophisticated commercial offerings, it pays to understand the connectivity ecosystem evolution and what solutions are available or soon to be.
THE ECOSYSTEM THE NETWORKS
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Business aviation connectivity relies on the availability of communication networks covering the geographic area of operation. There are two types of networks used in aviation: Communications Satellitebased network (SATCOM) and ground stationsbased network called Air-To-Ground (ATG).
Most communication networks rely on business aviation dedicated service providers. These service providers offer tailored plans typically on a monthly subscription basis, as well as 24/7 technical support, billing, and value-added services to help manage usage and optimize bandwidth. These added-value services usually include: WIFI Call & Text apps, Acceleration and compression technology, Ground to Air Call service
AIRCRAFT HARDWARE
VENDORS & INSTALLATION
A large offering of cabin connectivity hardware is available in the market for either line-fit installation by the aircraft manufacturer or as a retrofit by MRO centers. The hardware can be divided into three main sub-systems, the antenna system including the radome and steering electronics, the avionics transceivers allowing for data reception and transmission to the antenna, and the cabin subsystem allowing for laptops, tablets, and smartphones to connect to the cabin network.
Cabin Connectivity installation is available from either the aircraft manufacturer for installation prior to aircraft delivery (Line-fit) or from a network of sales and installation providers in the after-market (Retrofit). These installation centers develop and install aircraft connectivity hardware through Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). In opposition to the Line-fit market where the offering is very limited by the aircraft manufacturer, the retrofit market offers a large choice of solutions and should be considered even for newly delivered aircraft.
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Picture © Gogo
AIR TO GROUND NETWORKS Air-to-Ground (ATG) isn’t much different than your cellular connection. An aircraft . communicates with a ground station, within a target range and line-of-sight bearing. With ATG, the ground station antennas serve aircraft that pass through their airspace, like the way your cell phone connects while you’re in a moving car
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2022 CABIN CONNECTIVITY GUIDE
While satellite systems are the only method to provide connectivity for long overwater routes, ATG is the perfect solution for large overland territories and high-density areas. The first fully operational ATG network was deployed by GOGO over the continental US. New technologies are allowing these networks to soon offer 5G capabilities over the US, Europe, and China
©Gogo Gogo ATG Network is powered by more than 250 cellular towers covering the continental US, portions of Canada, and Alaska.
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2022 CABIN CONNECTIVITY GUIDE
NEXT-GEN ATG NETWORK
NOW AVAILABLE From
SmartSky
SmartSky’s next-generation ATG network available in the United States connects the entire aircraft to dependable, responsive and secure data transfer that enables what is most important, in real time. The enhanced ATG network includes patented technology advancements to deliver unprecedented performance, such as assigning a unique, private connection to each aircraft, so no bandwidth is shared. Network symmetry for connections optimizes bandwidth and minimizes latency to provide responsive data transfer to and from the aircraft, enabling real-time two-way communications for the cockpit, cabin and ground crew -- including transmitting aircraft performance data, situational awareness applications, live video streaming, video calls, cloud applications, gaming – and of course, voice and text. Accessing 60Mhz of unlicensed spectrum means unparalleled bandwidth and patented network architecture transmits above ground noise, minimizing harmful interference. All of this is available at competitive pricing to make multi-gigabit usage levels both possible and cost-effective.
Next-Gen Services SmartSky Networks’ services layer, Skyt elligence®, powers the aviation ecosystem with access to data and applications such as a crowdsourced turbulence data, weather analysis, inflight entertainment services, trajectory management and more. Our service providers and account team work with each customer to design the solution and select the services to meet mission requirements. 60 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
2022 CABIN CONNECTIVITY GUIDE
SmartSky Networks is now Live! Brit Wanick, Vice President Marketing & Partnerships was ready to answer Elite Wings questions. In a market with such a wide range of offerings of cabin connectivity solutions, what does SmartSky brings to the market?
These efforts resulted in over 235 patents and greatly enhanced technology that, now in operation, enables the previously elusive connected aircraft ecosystem.
When envisioning a premium, private inflight experience, you imagine it powering an office-in-the-sky environment, just like you have on the ground. Unfortunately, that is not exactly reality – primarily because inflight WiFi is notoriously unreliable. Even 15 years after becoming widely accessible, inflight WiFi still doesn’t work all that well unless only a couple of people are doing a few limited activities such as streaming a movie, shopping online, accessing email (avoiding images and large attachments), and texting. Common disclaimer screens on current cabin WiFi connections include language like this, “In order to provide a top-notch experience, we prohibit access to certain high-bandwidth applications, websites, and video conferencing services”. Ironically, that long list includes the very applications that would make the connected experience actually top-notch. With your airborne connectivity needs going far beyond a few basic tasks – shouldn’t airborne connectivity be just like connectivity on the ground? SmartSky thinks so.
What about aircraft hardware?
Smartsky has been in the news for some time now while constructing a nextgeneration ATG network for the US market. Now that your network is live, can you share the latest updates? If you’ve followed SmartSky recently, you know that it officially launched commercial operations at NBAA-BACE in October 2021. If you’ve followed SmartSky the past few years, you know the network launch was originally planned for much earlier. Suffice it to say, a few things have happened since the originally planned launch date – including a few (major) course adjustments. Most fundamentally -- rather than build a network like what’s already out there -- SmartSky founders decided to capitalize on the much greater capacity available in the 60 MHz of unlicensed (WiFi) spectrum band and mitigate some of the more challenging aspects of providing ATG connectivity and WiFi to business aviation such as tower to tower handoff at 500 MPH, eliminating bandwidth sharing between aircraft, and addressing ground noise and interference from terrestrial WiFi use, to name a few.
Of course, accessing the innovative network requires innovative hardware. The SmartSky Flagship system weighs in at a mere 32 lbs., can be upgraded through softwaredefined enhancements, and is router-agnostic, enabling a new level of choice and interoperability. The smaller LiTE system will be available later this year. Once you have a SmartSky shipset installed, the rest of the choices are yours, not SmartSky’s. With the installation is complete, you don’t even need to take a test flight to ensure everything is working. SmartSky’s patent-pending SmartCart testing apparatus verifies end-to-end system connections right in the maintenance facility. Talk about innovative!
How do all these innovations enable the connected aircraft ecosystem? Besides dependable, responsive, and secure inflight WiFi for the cabin, you get the capability for concurrent capture and transfer of aircraft performance data so that the ground team is ready to address any maintenance items identified during the flight, before the aircraft lands; access to live, crowd-sourced turbulence data and other real-time situational awareness applications, and the ability to share data for insights to improve the flight experience. But even that isn’t as impressive as the feedback from users flying on the network. “Just like being on the ground.” “Extraordinary.” “Spectacular.” These are just some of the comments from flights that included two to three times as many devices as occupants, expanding the boundaries of prior expectations and consuming multiple gigabits of data during the trip. Best of all, the network is live, and hardware is in-stock and available for installation, now. Numerous STCs are complete with more in progress and available soon. Authorized dealers across the United States can complete the installation while SmartSky’s service provider partners provide service plans and activation that fit your needs. If you want to see it firsthand, the SmartSky account team is visiting locations across the country, and you can schedule a meeting or even fly on a SmartSky-equipped aircraft to experience it for yourself. The wait is over. ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE | 61
AVAILABLE H2 2022
A 5G Business Aviation Dedicated Network
By
Gogo
In January 2022, Gogo Business Aviation announced that it completed construction of its seven-tower 5G testbed by Dec 31, 2021, on schedule, and on budget. “These seven sites will serve as a testbed for our 150-tower nationwide network,” said Mike Rupert, vice president of network operations for Gogo Business Aviation. “The testbed includes sites in both remote and populated locations in order to validate the network is operating as designed in all types of environments.” Additional sites will be completed at a rapid pace throughout the first half of 2022 and Gogo remains on track to launch 5G in the second half of 2022. Gogo 5G is expected to deliver ~25 Mbps on average with peak speeds in the 75-80 Mbps range and has been designed to deliver high throughput with very low latency to address the increasing demand for data-heavy interactive services like video conferencing. In November, Gogo announced that Duncan Aviation is working to complete the first-article Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for the onboard 5G system. Duncan will use the experience and data from certifying the first article to modify all of its full-equipment Gogo AVANCE L5 STCs to include Gogo 5G, covering more than 30 aircraft models. Gogo also announced Jet Edge as its launch customer in October. “We’re seeing strong demand from our OEM and dealer partners for Gogo 5G,” Glenn added. “And we are confident that our customers will be delighted by its performance.” 62 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
ATG NETWORKS OFFERING Operator
BIZAV Offering GOGO BIZ
GOGO
SMARTSKY NETWORKS
Picture © Smartsky Networks
Coverage
Service Launch 2008
GOGO BIZ 4G
Continental US + Canada
GOGO 5G
Continental US
H2, 2022
SmartSky Networks
Continental US
2016
2021
Service Providers
GOGO
SMARTSKY NETWORKS HONEYWELL FORGE
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GOGO | BIZ 4G
HARDWARE
Service Launch
Coverage
Speed
Plan Cost
Hardware Weight
2016
Continental USA + Canada
10 Mbps
$1,900-$4,600
22 Lbs
Gogo Business Aviation was launched in 1991 as Aircel, offering analog-based voice communication on private aircraft flying over the continental USA. In 2006, Gogo won a 3 Mhz Federal Communication Commission (FCC) frequency license auction to operate an air-to-ground network over the US. Using this frequency license Gogo was able to offer internet connectivity to all major US airlines and develop the most competitive connectivity offering for business aviation. The Gogo Biz Network offers a 3G Wi-Fi and voice calling service using the light AVANCE L3 system compatible with the majority of turboprop and light jets. The Gogo Biz 4G Network uses Gogo ATG-4 system, a backward-compatible improvement to the previous ATG system allowing an increase in the downlink speed from 3.1 Mbps to 9.8 Mbps. The improvement is achieved through advanced wireless communications protocols maximizing the network throughput capability.
COVERAGE
Gogo offers two systems configurations to access its ATG Network. The compact AVANCE L3 is designed for turboprop and light jets. The system is based on a single 3MCU LRU and two fuselage-mounted omnidirectional antennas. The AVANCE L5 is designed to connect to Gogo Biz 4G ATG network. the system is based on a single 5MCU LRU and two dual directional fuselage-mounted antennas. The AVANCE L5 also offers a terrestrial modem allowing for Complimentary internet on the ground in 100+ countries and Gogo Vision, a wireless in-flight entertainment system offering inflight maps and access to movies, magazines, and TV programs.
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Gogo has more than 250 cellular towers covering the continental U.S, portions of Canada, and Alaska. The stations are connected to two data centers for redundancy.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
AIRCRAFT OFFERING TURBOPROPS
JETS Light
Medium
Large
BIZLINERS
SMARTSKY
HARDWARE
Service Launch
Coverage
Speed
Plan Cost
Hardware Weight
Q4 2021
Continental US
>15 Mbps Sustained
$2,995-$6,995
32 Lbs
Formed in 2011 by senior telecommunications and aviation executives. SmartSky Networks is transforming aviation through disruptive communications technologies and advanced tools to make connected aircraft a reality. Its innovative air-to-ground network will have full CONUS coverage as of 2Q 2022. SmartSky Networks is built on the latest technologies, enabling software-defined upgrades and harnessing the power of best-inbreed capabilities for the current “G” (Generation) with enhanced technologies owned by SmartSky and offered exclusively to SmartSky Networks’ customers. Using 60Mhz of radio spectrum in the unlicensed 2.4Ghz band, SmartSky offers unprecedented inflight broadband speeds and bandwidth without harmful interference. This enables all the functionality you expect on the ground and need in the air, including cloud applications, business productivity applications, aircraft performance measurement and situational awareness tools in addition to text, voice, and video calls, live streaming, and large file transfer.
COVERAGE
The SmartSky Flagship system includes the following components: ▪ Aircraft Base Radio (ABR) LRU ▪ High-Performance Blade Rx Antenna (HPB) ▪ Full-Duplex Quad (FDQ) Rx/Tx Antenna The compact shipset weight is around 32 lbs and can interface through a 1Gbps ethernet to cabin routers and wireless access points. SmartSky hardware is designed for interoperability. The system is router agnostic and customers may select their own desired In-Flight Entertainment system to interface with Smartsky hardware.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
AIRCRAFT OFFERING TURBOPROPS
JETS Light
Medium
Large
BIZLINERS
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GOGO 5G Service Launch
Coverage
Speed
Plan Cost
Hardware Weight
H2 2022
Continental US
~25 Mbps
TBD
TBD
Since the sale of its commercial aviation connectivity division to Intelsat in 2020, Gogo is focused on building the world’s first 5G network exclusively dedicated to business aviation usage. The Gogo 5G solution will adopt the same 5G technology that is currently being deployed by other ground operators. The ability to augment 5G with their existing licensed spectrum network, gives Gogo a distinct competitive advantage. The network will rely on the unlicensed spectrum at 2.4GHz (Mainly used for non-urban areas usage) and its licensed spectrum at 3G/4G 850MHz (Mainly used for urban areas usage). The GOGO 5G network will benefit from a large number of technologies developed by a network of carefully selected strategic partners. Core 5G ATG network components will be provided by connectivity solutions leader CISCO. Airspan will provide its carrier-grade Radio Access Network (RAN), Air5G OpenRange. This advanced beamforming and tracking technology is a key enabler to connect high-speed jets to the ground network without performance degradation.
HARDWARE
COVERAGE
Gogo 5G airborne hardware will be based on current AVANCE L5 platform system. This in-service platform is designed to be easily upgradable to 5G when the 5G will be available through the addition of a single 5G LRU (Gogo X3) and swapping of the L5 antennas to the Gogo MB13 antennas. The two belly-mounted 13-inch blade-style antennas feature advanced multi-band phased array technology from FIRST RF.
Gogo’s existing network and related infrastructure are key for building the Gogo 5G network. Although the 5G network is being designed to match the current Gogo network coverage. At launch, Gogo 5G will only be deployed nationwide across the contiguous United States, with expanding coverage to follow.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
AIRCRAFT OFFERING Gogo X3
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MB-13 Antenna
TURBOPROPS
JETS Light
Medium
Large
BIZLINERS
PLANE SIMPLE™ DELIVERS
ULTIMATE FLEXIBILITY PURPOSE BUILT
• First network integrated terminal designed exclusively for business aviation • Dedicated capacity for business aviation • Enhanced troubleshooting and support capabilities
SIMPLIFIED DESIGN
• Only 2 Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) • Minimally invasive installation • Non-pressurized install capability
FUTURE PROOF
• Open architecture • Advanced antenna technology • Seamless, cost-effective transition path as satellite technology advances satcomdirect.com | +1 321.777.3000
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SATCOM NETWORKS
SATCOM
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Satellite networks have seen a large evolution in the last few years with the introduction of recordbreaking high-capacity satellites allowing for ground-like connectivity speeds, reduced costs, and highly optimized coverage.
Satellite networks technology varies by
Satellite orbit and Frequency-band usage. GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT (GEO) GEO satellites operate in a circular earth-centered orbit with an orbital period that matches the earth’s rotation on its axis of 24 hr. The synchronization of rotation and orbital period means that the satellite stays at the same position in the sky where antennas can permanently point them. The GEO orbit is located at 35,786 km above the earth’s equator and concentrates most communications satellites. A minimum of 3 GEO satellites is required to cover the earth. There are currently over 400 active satellites in GEO orbit.
LOW EARTH ORBIT (LEO) LEO constellation uses satellites evaluating on an earth-centered orbit at a low altitude of 2000 Km or less. The lower altitude allows for smaller satellites with less powerful amplifiers. However, each satellite is only able to observe and communicate with a fraction of the earth at a time, meaning a constellation of many satellites is required to provide continuous coverage with each satellite continuously communicating with neighboring satellites. The only fully operational LEO constellation is Iridium using 66 active satellites at 781 Km altitude to achieve real full earth global coverage.
MEDIUM EARTH ORBIT (MEO) MEO Constellation uses satellites evaluating an earth orbit altitude over 2000 Km and below the geosynchronous orbit. The GPS satellite-based navigation system is a good example of MEO operated constellation. Communications satellites that cover the North and South Pole are also put in MEO.
Frequency Bands
L-BAND (1-2 GHZ)
KU-BAND (12 - 18 GHZ)
KA-BAND (26 - 40 GHZ)
The L-Band is still the most used frequency in business aviation satellite connectivity. Designed mainly to provide cockpit safety services. the global coverage of Lband satcom networks allowed for a large offering of first generation Low-speed cabin connectivity solutions.
The Ku-band concentrates the largest number of regional satellite offerings. Developed originally for direct television broadcasting, the performance of Ku-band systems has improved in recent years, with typical speed now around 18 Mbps, which is enough to enable standard video streaming.
The Ka-band has more available capacity and is more efficient in its use of bandwidth. The Ka-band can achieve a speed of up to 33 Mbps, which is more than enough to enable live streaming of HD video and exceed the speed of many ground-based Wi-Fi services. ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE | 69
Inmarsat continues to look ahead in business aviation By Kai Tang, Head of Business and General Aviation Although the global aviation industry is facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the global pandemic, the business aviation sector has fared comparatively better than its airline counterpart. A prime example of its resilience is the fact that many of Inmarsat’s business aviation customers have utilised any downtime over the past 18 months to upgrade their inflight connectivity systems, ensuring that they continue to meet the evolving needs of operators across the world, not only during the COVID-19 pandemic itself but well into the future too. And as principals’ needs continue to evolve in the long-term, they can rest assured in the knowledge that we are investing more than ever before to deliver highly differentiated global technology platforms, that will meet their needs today and for decades to come. After all, we have a deep understanding based on decades of experience in the business aviation market and appreciate that inflight connectivity alone is no longer enough, it needs to be reliable and consistent, regardless of location, time or other uncontrollable factors. Predictability is ‘the new luxury’ for business aviation. We are also able to offer the best because we work with the best. Our longestablished, global partner ecosystem delivers unparalleled expertise, value, and support to our customers. This collaborative mindset enables us to present a complete solution across network, hardware and service. No other provider can offer such experience, expertise or end-to-end service and support infrastructure. This capability, and the stability it provides, is focused on eliminating unnecessary risk and volatility.
Communications Network of the future usiness aviation is becoming more global to satisfy a shrinking world that expects us to be constantly connected to every corner of the planet: principals are flying longer and further and consuming more data as they do so. Although change is inevitable, trying to develop solutions as demand grows and shifts are foolhardy – there isn’t enough time. That’s why we’re committed to futureproofing our inflight connectivity. It means we can adjust our offerings in real-time, so that partners and customers can continue to have confidence in our services, even during times of uncertainty. Our ambitious and fully-funded technology roadmap will see seven further satellite launches by 2024: five in geostationary orbit - adding speed, capacity, and resilience - and two in a highly elliptical orbit, which will enable
B
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the world’s only commercial mobile broadband service for aircraft flying in higher elevations and across the Arctic. This is great news for customers of our market-leading Jet ConneX offering, which has established itself as the world’s most popular inflight broadband solution for business aviation, who know they’ve invested in a technology company that continues to invest in the future. And customers of our award-winning L-band network (providing services such as Swiftbroadband and Classic Aero safety services) should expect some exciting news soon as well. We also recently unveiled plans for ORCHESTRA, the communications network of the future. In a world-first, the network will seamlessly integrate our existing and upcoming satellites with a low earth orbit satellite constellation and terrestrial 5G. ORCHESTRA is unique because it draws together the benefits of multiple
technologies to create one cohesive solution. The result is a ‘dynamic mesh network’ that will deliver highperformance connectivity everywhere. The development of ORCHESTRA under pins our commitment to drive innovation and support digital transformation in business aviation, while eliminating the industry-wide challenge of congested network ‘hot spots’ before they become problematic. Once again, this demonstrates why so many trust in us and our partners to keep them connected to their business, their loved ones, and their lives.
ORCHESTRA represents the next level of innovation from us that only comes from our focus on mobility customers, and while there are some who aspire to mimic our approach, we have already redefined what tomorrow should look like.
VIASAT | Ka-Band
2022 CABIN CONNECTIVITY GUIDE
G280
PRAETOR 600
VIASAT NO SPEED LIMIT CONNECTIVITY THE MID-SIZE
SUCCESS STORY For a long time, broadband Satcom connectivity was exclusively available for long-range / largecabin business jets where the range and long international routes capabilities made Satcom solutions (L-Band, Ku, and KA-Band) the only viable solution with their global connectivity coverage. The recent range increase introduced with the latest generation of smaller midsize cabin jets made the need for global overwater connectivity a necessity in this category of jets too. While the typical flight mission of this category of jets is still between 1.5 and 2 hours, these aircraft are now increasingly deployed on transoceanic flights. A Kaband connection means that in-flight Wi-Fi can be provided both over land on international routes and over water. Thanks to its in-house Satcom hardware development, Viasat succeeded to capture a large portion of this market segment securing so far
CHALLENGER 350 three out of the four in-production mid-size cabin manufacturer line-fit offerings. Viasat's Ka-band services to Gulfstream, Embraer, and Bombardier customers are available both as a line-fit option and in the aftermarket as a retrofit addition. A key element to Viasat’s success is its Global Aero Terminal 5510. A highly suitable connectivity solution for mid-sized cabin executive jets due to being the most compact business aviation internet system on the market. Its smaller size provides key advantages: it does not require space in the luggage compartment, enabling it to be installed in the non-pressurized areas of the aircraft and it lowers overall installed system weight does not significantly impact these jet’s fuel and range performance.
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SES | LuxStream
2022 CABIN CABIN CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY GUIDE GUIDE 2022
SES Teaming up with Collins Aerospace to provide the FASTEST internet speeds in BUSINESS AVIATION Aditya Chatterjee, Senior Vice President, Product Management, Aviation for SES answers Elite Wings’ questions Give us an idea of the scope of experience and expertise SES brings to connectivity across the aviation market? SES is the world’s leading satellite operator and a major force and enabler in the world of mobility. Our growing global network of satellites play a huge role in delivering inflight connectivity to business and commercial flights – keeping passengers connected with high-speed broadband for everything from business calls to email, gaming, live TV, and web browsing in the sky. For well over a decade, SES has worked with leading IFC service providers to not only enable airlines to improve their overall connected traveler experience, but also allow their flight crews and even their connected aircraft to operate far more efficiently. Airlines can track the most popular passenger meal choices in real-time to ensure they never run out of the trending dishes, for example, and pilots can monitor real-time weather from the cockpit to avoid rough conditions for a smoother flight. SES operates over 50 satellites in Geosynchronous (GEO) and another 20 in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), which will play a vital role in a new era of next-gen inflight connectivity capabilities aboard both business and commercial jets. In fact, SES and Thales were the first to demonstrate seamless switching between GEO and MEO satellite beams aboard a business jet in the fall of 2019, opening the door to tailored IFC connectivity from layers of satellite capacity in multiple orbits. Now SES is working with a broad range of technology partners, including Thales and Collins, to take inflight connectivity to the next level
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SES | LuxStream
2022 CABIN CABIN CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY GUIDE GUIDE 2022
LUXSTREAM OFFERING SES INTERVIEW
.What is your vision of connectivity growth on the horizon and how it will address the special needs for corporate aviation? SES continues to innovate and invest in our robust global network across multiple bands and orbits with the goal of enabling a connected travel experience in the sky like the one we all have come to rely on and enjoy on the ground. That connected journey will be seamlessly like the one we count on at home or in the office. When you get to the airport and on the plane, you will have the same level of connectivity wherever you go. And when you depart the plane and board a cruise ship, that connected journey continues without any issues. We started doing much of that today in collaboration with Collins Aerospace and our LuxStream inflight connectivity service specifically designed and delivered for business aviation. LuxStream is already installed across Vista Global’s fleet of Bombardier Global business jets, with the goal to provide an exceptional connected private jet experience delivered over SES’ high-throughput-satellites (HTS) and wide beam satellites and state-of-the-art ground infrastructure. LuxStream addresses the dynamic business aviation market by enabling even the most discerning business executives to have the same communications capabilities they have in their office during flight aboard their business jet.
Is a Ku-band network offering still relevant for corporate aviation versus a Ka-band or Low Earth Orbit constellation? SES is laser focused on enabling a great passenger experience, whether it’s over Ku- or Ka-band. All of these bands are not only relevant but mission critical to our ability to enable the next gen needs of aviation services. SES continues to invest in a vast global network that delivers C-band, Ku-band, and Ka-band capacity in support of the aviation market – from GEO and MEO orbits. We are on the verge of initiating aviation service aboard one of the most powerful satellites ever built, SES-17, which will provide high-powered Ka-band coverage for the inflight connectivity market in partnership with Thales InFlyt. SES operates today the only commercially proven non-geostationary (NGSO) constellation delivering the lowest latencies and highest throughputs. We will also launch our O3b mPOWER constellation this year, our next-generation, ultrascalable satellite communication system in MEO orbit, that will ultimately enable us to further close the gap between your connected experience at home and in a passenger seat aboard a business and commercial jet. How do you ensure that the LuxStream offering is competitive now and in the future? Business jet travelers are among the most discerning travelers in the world and have
high expectations when it comes to connectivity services in flight. LuxStream has been designed and developed with elite flyers in mind. SES and Collins have raised the bar for inflight connectivity with a future-proof solution that allows us to accelerate the availability of next-gen services, such as cloud-based enterprise applications and streaming media, on business jet flights. Mobile users are consuming an explosive amount of data on the ground and in the air and creating new pressures for the private aviation market. LuxStream is powered by SES’s next-gen Ku-band HTS and wide beam satellite technology that drives an exceptional connectivity experience that can quickly and easily be tailored to the individual needs of business aviation providers wherever they fly. That future-proof platform allows us to deliver new enhanced services on the fly – staying ahead of the big demands of the business jet set. What can you share about the LuxStream Offering Readiness? LuxStream is proven and deployed across a number of business jet fleets in the US and around the world, with Vista Global carrying out the first LuxStream installations. LuxStream provides the highest download speeds in the business aviation market, the newest high throughput satellites, nextgeneration ground system, and a global business aviation network. ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE | 73
INTELSAT | FlexExec
2022 CABIN CABIN CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY GUIDE GUIDE 2022 Picture © Satcom Direct
Making Connectivity
Plane Simple With
SATCOM DIRECT
Satcom Direct announced the qualification of the Satcom Direct Plane Simple™ Antenna System on the Intelsat FlexExec network in January this year. The verification follows months of diligent testing and optimization by both companies and confirms that the first network integrated SD Plane Simple terminal, designed exclusively for business aviation, is fully compatible with the world’s first dedicated network capacity for business aviation, the Intelsat FlexExec service. The Intelsat FlexExec service is a global, multi-layered, redundant high-throughput satellite network with ubiquitous, always-available access and features speeds up to 15x2 Mbps globally. Paired with the Plane Simple Kuband tail-mounted antenna system, high-speed data access for more business aviation owners globally is simplified through ease of installation, flexible pricing plans, and advanced antenna technology. “Until now high-speed capabilities have remained the domain of the large jet market, but this qualification opens up the possibilities for more jet sizes to benefit from the advantages and convenience of high-speed broadband,” explains Chris Moore, President Satcom Direct Business Aviation. The intelligent design of the SD Plane Simple Antenna System, which has been built in partnership with QEST, Quantenelektronische Systeme GmbH, a worldwide market leader in innovative aeronautical antennas, consists of just 74 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
two-Line Replaceable Units, the Satcom Direct modem, and the tail mount antenna. “This minimizes invasive installation, reduces maintenance fees, and provides an easy transition pathway to upgrade connectivity services. The modem can be located in the unpressurised part of the cabin and with just one box gives owners valuable stowage and cabin space back,” adds Moore. SD is the master distributor of the Intelsat FlexExec service and together the companies are enabling more seamless communication options and managed services. Power-bythe-hour or pay-per-usage plans will be available, with all services supported by the award winning Satcom Direct 24/7/365 customer service team. In the game changing move, customers will all have access to the benefits of the Satcom Direct ecosystem of infrastructure including the SD Data Centre, satellite ground stations, and global points-of-presence; hardware including handsets, routers, antennas, and the associated software accessible through the apps they manage; as well as airtime from its portfolio of satellite network providers. With the launch of the SD Plane Simple Antenna Series, just one call to Satcom Direct gives buyers access to all that is required to set up an advanced technology, reliable, consistent, connectivity system to better support inflight productivity, enhance leisure time and enable improved operational management for more customers.
SATCOM NETWORKS OFFERING Frequency Band
L KU
KA
Operator
BIZAV Offering
Coverage
Service Launch
Speed
INMARSAT
SwiftBroadband (SBB)
Global
2009
432 kbps
IRIDIUM
Iridium Certus
Fully Global
2020
704 kbps
INTELSAT
FlexExec
Global
2018
15 Mbps
SES
LuxStream
Near Global
2019
25 Mbps (CONUS) 15 Mbps (Global)
Near Global
2006
10 Mbps (CONUS) 06 Mbps (Global)
VIASAT
KU-Band Advanced
INMARSAT
Jet ConneX (JX)
Global
2016
20 Mbps (JX-Pro) 15 Mbps
VIASAT
KA-Band
Regional
2018
~16 Mbps No Speed Limit
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Operating in the Ka-band, Inmarsat Global Xpress (GX) is the first and still the only high-speed mobile broadband network to span the world. The GX1-GX4 satellites were built by US manufacturer Boeing. The first three GX satellites were launched between 2013-2015, with global commercial service starting in December 2015.
SATCOM
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OVER 800 BUSINESS JETS HAVE INMARSAT JET CONNEX ONBOARD
INMARSAT | SwiftBroaband Service Launch
Coverage
Speed
Plan Cost
Hardware Weight
2009
GLOBAL
2.8 Mbps
$7K-$40K
44.5 Lbs
SwiftBroadband operates over Inmarsat’s I-4 satellites constellation, covering all major aviation routes, and every hidden island getaway, worldwide. Each I-4 satellite combines 228 spot beams with 19 wide beams, capable of providing up to four channels of 432Kbps to a High Gain Antenna. The three I-4 satellites are complemented by Alphasat, which provides an additional capacity of over 33% of the I-4 coverage area. Inmarsat is still highly committed to the Lband services, with the addition of two Inmarsat-6 satellites constructed by Airbus Defence and Space. The first of these two satellites has been successfully launched on 22 December 2021.
Inmarsat was set up by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1979 to provide a satellite communications network that would protect the lives of mariners anywhere at sea, this service was extended to aviation where Inmarsat become quickly the leader of cockpit safety communications. Inmarsat currently owns and operates 13 satellites providing seamless global coverage. The SwiftBroadband (SBB) service operates over Inmarsat’s I-4 L-band satellite constellation, the service supports text, highquality voice calls, email, internet access, and mobile data applications anywhere in the world. Flying on over 4,000 aircraft worldwide, SBB is the most widely used cockpit and cabin connectivity service in business aviation. SBB network offers seamless global coverage and unrivaled satellite and ground network availability of over 99.9 percent
COVERAGE
HARDWARE
SBB Satcom hardware is available from four avionics manufacturers: Thales, Cobham, Honeywell, and Collins Aerospace. The service data speed is dependent on the category of the installed antenna: ▪ High Gain Antenna (HGA) – 432KBPS per Channel ▪ Intermediate Gain Antenna (IGA) – 332KBPS per Channel ▪ Low Gain Antenna (LGA) – 200KBPS per Channel
SERVICE PROVIDERS
AIRCRAFT OFFERING TURBOPROPS
JETS Light
Medium
Large
BIZLINERS
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IRIDIUM|CERTUS Service Launch
Coverage
Speed
Plan Cost
Hardware Weight
2019
Fully Global
352 Kbps 1.4 Mbps (Planned
TBD
10-14 Lbs
The Iridium constellation is based on 66 satellites orbiting in 11 planes. the service’s high availability is achieved by the addition of 9 on-orbit spare satellites and 6 additional ready to launch in the ground. At only 780 kilometers from the Earth, Iridium’s LEO network means pole-to-pole coverage, shorter transmission paths, stronger signals, lower latency, and shorter registration time than with GEO satellites.
Since 2002 Iridium’s unique constellation of low orbit satellites is delivering high-quality voice and data services. The complete constellation upgrade in early 2019 enabled the launch of Iridium Certus an award-winning advanced multi-service platform with speed capabilities ranging from 22 to 1408 Kbps. Offering the highest L-Band data throughput, Iridium Certus provides the flexibility to scale device speed, size, and power requirements, both up and down, based on the needs of endusers.
COVERAGE
HARDWARE
Collins Aerospace IRT-4XX0
Iridium is the only network that can deliver reliable broadband connectivity to small form factor, low-profile antennas. With a height of less than 6cm, Iridium antennas produce almost no drag and can be installed just about anywhere on the aircraft. Iridium small form factor hardware is ideal for helicopters, turboprops, and light jets. The system can also offer a very attractive backup system for larger airplanes looking for high availability and fully global coverage including polar routes.
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SERVICE PROVIDERS
AIRCRAFT OFFERING TURBOPROPS
JETS Light
Medium
Large
BIZLINERS
VIASAT | KU-BAND Service Launch
Coverage
Speed
Plan Cost
Hardware Weight
2006
Near Global
10 Mbps (CONUS) 6 Mbps ( Global)
$7K-$40K
45 Lbs
Picture: ©Boeing
Viasat Ku-band offers a near-global network coverage using a global leased fleet of satellite transponders. The Ku-band service covers over 90% of the top-flight paths.
HARDWARE
Since its foundation in 1986, California-based, high-speed satellite broadband service provider, Viasat, has been one of the most innovating companies in aviation Satcom technology for both civilian and government applications. Viasat Ku-band satellite communications technology enabled the first production broadband data system for business aviation as part of the SKYLink offering by ARINC Direct that began operation in 2005. In 2007 Viasat partnered with KVH Industries to build Yonder Ku-band aviation service, offering the first true “office in the sky” experience to business jet passengers. In 2010 Viasat acquired the SKYLink service from Arinc direct and added their 80 private customers to the Yonder network. The Yonder sub-brand was dissolved in 2017 when the service become marketed under the Viasat Ku-band offering. The Ku-band Advanced pioneered in-flight high-quality internet experience, currently delivering connection speeds up to 10 Mbps over Continental US and 6 Mbps over the rest of the world. The service offering includes 3 service plans with data allowances of up to 70 Gb per month. The service is available during all phases of flight including taxi, takeoff, and landing.
COVERAGE
The Viasat Aero Mobile Terminal VMT1500 system is the lightest, smallest-footprint Ku-band mobile high-speed Internet shipset available for large-cabin business jets. The terminal comprises a small antenna, a modem, and an antenna control unit. When the Antenna mounts permanently on the tail of the aircraft, the modem can be installed at a variable distance from the antenna to accommodate various aircraft models. The system can be installed in 10-15 days, depending on the aircraft configuration and weighs around 45 lbs.
SERVICE PROVIDERS AIRCRAFT OFFERING TURBOPROPS
JETS Light
Medium
Large
BIZLINERS
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INTELSAT | FlexExec Service Launch
Coverage
Speed
Plan Cost
Hardware Weight
2018
GLOBAL
15 Mbps
$7K-$40K
48 Lbs
FlexExec is specifically engineered to cover high traffic routes with High Throughput Satellite (HTS) Ku-band coverage, with layers of wide beam capacity for added resiliency and redundancy. FlexExec allows for maximum flexibility, efficient use of bandwidth, and managed services which are critical when routes and passenger requirements shift unexpectedly. The open architecture design of FlexExec allows Comsat, and sister company Satcom Direct, to analyze network demand and usage to ensure that capacity is available, with the ability to add additional capacity, as necessary.
At the 2018 NBAA convention in Orlando, Intelsat, the world’s largest satellite fleet operator, launched its own end-to-end managed service FlexExec dedicated to business aviation. Intelsat promised at the time that the new service will not share capacity with the over 60 airlines using its large Ku-band satellite network. Intelsat’s FlexExec is a global, secure, multi-layered broadband satellite connectivity service that delivers consistent, highperformance coverage. The service is designed to offer a reliable and consistent connectivity experience to business aircraft passengers. Offered exclusively through Satcom Direct. FlexExec offers an Industry-first service plan flexibility tailored to meet sophisticated flight department needs.
COVERAGE
HARDWARE
SERVICE PROVIDERS Launched with the Astronics T-300 Tail mount broadband Satcom system. FlexExec is now available with the compact Satcom Direct manufactured Plane Simple™ Tail mount antenna system. The advanced Plane Simple™ features only two-Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), simplifying installation and configuration. 80 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
AIRCRAFT OFFERING TURBOPROPS
JETS Light
Medium
Large
BIZLINERS
SES | LuxStream Service Launch
Coverage
Speed
Plan Cost
Hardware Weight
2019
Near Global
25 Mbps (CONUS) 15 Mbps (Global)
XX
47.3 lbs
Luxembourg-based SES is the world’s leading satellite operator with over 70 satellites. Luxstream delivers uninterrupted global connectivity via SES highthroughput satellites (HTS) overlaid with wide-beam coverage SES operates three latest generations GEO HTS satellites: ▪ SES-12: Launched in 2018 providing coverage for middle-East and Asia Pacific regions ▪ SES-14: Launched in 2018 providing coverage for the Americas region ▪ SES-15: Launched in 2017 providing coverage for North America and the Caribbean HARDWARE
Powered by Luxembourg-based SES, LuxStream promise to deliver an exceptional private jet connectivity experience. The new high-end service capitalizes on SES’s next-generation Kubased satellite technology – both high-throughput satellites (HTS) and wide beam – and ground infrastructure to bring business aviation customers the fastest broadband speeds available within the United States. Developed In collaboration with Collins Aerospace, LuxStream secured Vista Global as a launch customer for the service that will be installed on 35 of the company’s Bombardier Global business jets. The exceptional partnership between Collins Aerospace and SES allows for a turn-key solution offering, combining both hardware and service with flexible pricing models to meet the sophisticated operator’s mission.
COVERAGE
HARDWARE
Collins Aerospace delivers LuxStream through the KuSAT-2000 tail mount satellite terminal. The KuSAT 2000 system developed with Astronics is composed of four aircraft LRUs: ▪ A Gimbal Antenna Unit (GAU) ▪ Antenna Control & Modem Unit (ACMU) ▪ A Block Up Converter (BUC) ▪ A Block Down Converter (BDC)
SERVICE PROVIDERS
AIRCRAFT OFFERING TURBOPROPS
JETS Light
Medium
Large
BIZLINERS
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VIASAT | KA-BAND Service Launch
Coverage
Speed
Plan Cost
Hardware Weight
2018
Regional
~ 20 Mbps No Speed Limit
$7K-$25K
51 lbs
Current Viasat high-speed Ka-band coverage focus on high business jet traffic routes in north. central America, the Caribbean region, and trans-Atlantic routes. By 2022, The Viasat-3 constellation of 3 GEO satellites should provide a true global Ultra-high throughput coverage.
Viasat is transforming the in-flight connectivity experience by offering unprecedented Wi-Fi speeds and performance through advanced high-capacity Ka-band satellites. Launched in 2011 ViaSat-1, a single satellite offering 140 Gbps of throughput in Ka-Band over North America was joined in 2018 by ViaSat-2 expanding Ka-band coverage across North and Central Americas, Caribbean, and trans-Atlantic routes. In 2020 Viasat removed all Internet speed limits to enable more efficient use of data-intensive passenger and flight crew applications. Since the removal of the speed restriction, some operators have already seen speeds of up to 40 Mbps. Viasat leadership in the KA-band will be further enhanced with ViaSat-3, comprised of COVERAGE three satellites and ground network infrastructure, expected to begin launch in 2021. Each satellite will offer 1 Tbps of throughput in Ka-Band and will be placed to provide global surface coverage. Completion of the global constellation is expected by 2022.
HARDWARE
Viasat developed Global Aero Terminal 5510 (GAT-5510) offers a compact Ka-band Satcom terminal compatible with large and mid-size business jets. The system consists of four major components: ▪ 2-axis steerable 2-way Ka-band antenna with an integrated ACU, ▪ Antenna power supply unit, ▪ Modem. The GAT-5510 easily integrates onto an aircraft with a tail, fuselage, or hatchmounted antenna and onboard modem. 82 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
SERVICE PROVIDERS
AIRCRAFT OFFERING TURBOPROPS
JETS Light
Medium
Large
BIZLINERS
INMARSAT | Jet ConneX Service Launch
Coverage
Speed
Plan Cost
Hardware Weight
2016
GLOBAL
15 Mbps 20 Mbps (JX-Pro)
$7K-$40K
44 Lbs
Inmarsat’s Jet ConneX (JX) inflight broadband solution offers business aviation passengers the highest speed and most extensive coverage of international flight routes in the market. It’s the first worldwide Ka-band network available to business aviation from a single operator, delivering a reliable, secure, uninterrupted, high-quality Wi-Fi experience to principals wherever they fly. It provides data speeds capable of supporting video-streaming, Voice over IP (VoIP), live TV, large file transfers, and VPN.
COVERAGE
JX is powered by Inmarsat’s global Kaband satellite network and is the only business aviation connectivity solution to offer truly Committed Information Rates (CIR), consistently offering well in excess of guaranteed speeds. With more investment in advanced technologies and satellite coverage already underway, JX will continue to meet the needs of business aviation passengers for decades to come.
HARDWARE
SERVICE PROVIDERS The lightweight JetWave MCS 8X00 system is offered exclusively from Honeywell. The system consists of four major components: ▪ Either a fuselage or tail mounted antenna ▪ Antenna controller to accurately point the antenna to the satellite ▪ RF unit to blast the data through space ▪ Modem to process the incoming and outgoing data
AIRCRAFT OFFERING TURBOPROPS
JETS Light
Medium
Large
BIZLINERS
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Picture © Satcom Direct
SERVICE PROVIDERS Most communication networks rely on business aviation dedicated service providers. These service providers offer tailored plans typically on a monthly subscription basis, as well as 24/7 technical support, billing, and value-added services to help manage usage and optimize bandwidth
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VALUE ADDED SERVICES WIFI Call & Text Since the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned in-flight use of most cell phones and wireless devices in 1991. citing the reason of ground cellular network interference. Service providers have developed alternative Wi-Fi call and text apps allowing aircraft passengers to place and receive calls and texts on their cell phones, using their own phone numbers anywhere in the world. 85 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
Service Optimization Acceleration and compression allow for a significant bandwidth capacity increase. Most service providers offer cabin equipment that optimizes connectivity costs and improves passengers’ experience.
Ground To Air Call This service allows for direct dialing to reach an aircraft in flight, regardless of its location through a unique airplane telephone number.
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Connecting
Corporate Aviation SATCOM DIRECT FOR 25 YEARS Twenty-five years ago engineer Jim Jensen started Satcom Direct from a beach house on the Florida coast, with just six colleagues. His mission: to transparently connect business aircraft in flight, to the ground. He had spotted a growing gap in aviation communications noting that existing systems enabling phone calls between jets and callers necessitated multiple companies, generating numerous bills, from locations all around the world, and even then connection to the right person wasn’t guaranteed. The system was untenable. Jensen, now Satcom Direct company Chairman and CEO, working with 400 colleagues across 16 offices worldwide, set out to rationalise the situation. “The existing set-up relied on technology developed for marine shipping travelling around 18knots and was trying to repurpose it for aircraft flying at more than 500mph. The tech could not keep up, literally.” Jensen launched Satcom Direct Global One Number. GON – which is still operational today - enabled direct dialling to an assigned aircraft number no matter where it was. Compared with today’s multiple options GON seems a relatively simple ask, but without Jensen’s vision, much of what is deemed normal in the contemporary sphere of business aviation connectivity would not exist. The system revolutionised inflight communications and formed solid foundations for Satcom Direct’s growth. SD has been responsible for leading the way ever since and boasts a plethora of innovative firsts. FlightDeck Freedom was the first, and still is, the only datalink product that integrates flight deck and cabin communications; SD’s GlobalVT service was the first to enable use of personal smartphone numbers for voice and SMS at any altitude; aeroIT was the industry’s first accredited IT certification for aviation IT professionals; SD was also the first to highlight the critical importance of proactive aviation cybersecurity. 86 | ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE
Technology sits at the heart of all it does with the Satcom Direct Router, SDR® family underpinning much of the activity. This magical black box was integral in transforming SD from a communications provider to a connectivity business. The 1000th SDR has just been produced commemorating another milestone for the business. Acquisition has also strengthened the company. The purchase of the Airbus US Government business COMSAT added two satellite ground stations to the offering, which are now supplemented by multiple Points-of-Presence internationally; Aircraft Logs immediately added internetbased scheduling and tax reporting tools; and the TrueNorth Avionics purchase evolved the company from service provider to hardware manufacturer. Further investment saw expansion of the SD Data Centre, which in conjunction with the hardware, software and ground stations, enhances customer cybersecurity. The latest addition to the portfolio is the series of SD Plane Simple™ Antenna Systems. Traditionally Satcom Direct services have reflected the needs of ultra-long-range aircraft, but for the first time, as the Plane Simple terminals are introduced to market this year, more aircraft sizes will have access to the full gamut of the Satcom Direct experience. Looking to the future Jensen and his executive team are coming back down to earth, or rather sea, with the expansion of the SD Marine division. The ambition is to emulate the superior in air experience for owners and operators of the largest yachts cruising the oceans, as well as supporting the dynamic environment of the sports fishing community. SD also has its eyes on the burgeoning UAM market and is closely monitoring developments in the supersonic sector. Undoubtedly there will be an SD service coming to a cabin near you, as it continues to deliver connectivity beyond all expectations for the next 25 years.
SATCOM DIRECT
2022 CABIN CONNECTIVITY GUIDE
Raising
standards
through
DATA INTEGRATION CYBERSECURITY Altitude does not make you safe
Altitude does not make you safe, and as data demand increases Satcom Direct has responded by offering a powerful three-tier suite of cybersecurity solutions to maintain data integrity. The entry level service provides active threat monitoring by pro-actively observing live flight data behaviour. At the SD state-of-the-art NOC, cybersecurity experts work with refined artificial intelligence systems to evaluate data transmission. If the system notes discrepancies the team proactively investigates, and subsequently initiates remedial activity by contacting the flight department, operator, or owner. An Advanced Encryption service purpose built for business aviation adds another level of service. The application of proprietary technology through the Satcom Direct Router, SDR® platforms, and SD infrastructure optimizes a secure, accelerated tunnel through which encrypted, anonymized data passes from the aircraft to the ground and back. Individual, data-heavy VPNs on personal devices are replaced as the system effectively cloaks the entire aircraft network, without compromising speed or performance. An SD Incident Response Team analyzes data on the fly, enabling the mitigation of potential events before they happen and a customized network configuration also enables separate WiFi network SSIDs based on passenger, and data priority, for complete principal security. The first two layers provide strong protection, but when added to the SD Private Network the cyber security solution transforms the aircraft cabin into a secure corporate workspace. By routing encrypted data from the corporate aircraft to corporate headquarters – without ever touching the public internet – customers can be assured all corporate data is secure. According to the SD experts it is a matter of when, and not if, a cyber event will occur. SD is putting cybersecurity at the core of all its operations and encourages its customers to do the same. Think of it as a crash helmet for your data, you never want to use it, but you wouldn’t ride without it.
Satcom Direct recognizes the value that integrating data delivers to those responsible for operating, managing, and owning aircraft. As the amounts of data generated continues to grow Satcom Direct has developed an open architecture platform that provides clear visibility into all aspects of the flight operation ecosystem, from the SD PreFlight planning module through to SD PostFlight reporting, and everything in between. The SD Pro® digital flight management system improves the user experience by integrating carefully selected third-party suppliers into the platform. Inputted real-time data from the SD Pro system, and third-party suppliers, keeps the whole team synchronized by delivering information simultaneously to all users. This can be analyzed to provide powerful planning and management information. To date mutual customers and subscribers of MySky, the aviation spend-management system, VAT IT the tax recovery firm, Polaris Aero FlightRisk®, the advanced risk analysis system for pilots, fuelling company World Fuel and CAMP, the aircraft maintenance programme, amongst others, can access the data generated by these systems through the SD Pro dashboard. “This streamlines all the processes related to flight operations resulting in an enriched ownership experience and seamless flight operations,” says Satcom Direct Business Aviation President, Chris Moore. “The power of aggregating real-time data to support long-term sustainability and growth for our common clients, and the business aviation sector as a whole, serves to raise industry standards by improving operational efficiencies.” The benefits are numerous and tangible in terms of increasing transparency of asset management, improving safety and situational awareness, safeguarding budgets, and ensuring synchronized information delivery to support informed decision making at all times. As overwhelming amounts of data continue to be generated the ability to manage and support the effective use of the information will become standard operating procedure for all, and Satcom Direct is already demonstrating how powerful this can be. ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE | 87
2022 SERVICE PROVIDERS OFFERING
business.gogoair.com |+1 888.328.0200
satcomdirect.com | +1 321.777.3000
arincdirect.com |+1 866.321.6060
Aerospace.honeywell.com|
Viasat.com|+1 844.702.3199
2022 NETWORKS OFFERING CATEGORY ATG
ATG 5G SATCOM L-Band SATCOM KU-Band SATCOM KA-Band SATCOM Dual Band
NETWORK
Gogo
Gogo Biz Gogo Biz 4G
X
Gogo 5G
X
SATCOM DIRECT
ARINC DIRECT
SmartSky
HONEYWELL FORGE
THALES FLYTLINK
X
Iridium Certus
X
X
Inmarsat SBB
X
X
Viasat Ku-Band
X
SES LuxStream
X
X
Intelsat FlexExec
X
Inmarsat JX
X
X
X
Viasat Ka-Band
X
X
X
Viasat Dual-Band
X
X
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VIASAT SELECT
X
2022 SERVICE PROVIDERS UPDATES In October 2021, Bombardier announced Collins Aerospace as its Preferred Service Provider (PSP) for Cockpit and Cabin Connectivity Services. With this new agreement, customers who choose to subscribe to Collins’ ARINCDirect flight deck and cabin connectivity services, can view and manage their connectivity subscriptions through ARINCDirect digital tools, which will be integrated into Bombardier’s digital platform for a seamless, connected aircraft experience. Bombardier customers and operators will also benefit from comprehensive year-round, onsite connectivity support from ARINCDirect representatives at Bombardier’s service facilities. This announcement followed the addition of Viasat Ka-band IFC offering to ARINCDirect business aviation connectivity solutions portfolio, allowing ARINCDirect to support all Line-fit and Retrofit connectivity solutions offered by Bombardier. In June 2021, Honeywell announced its selection as an authorized value-added reseller for SmartSky Networks’ air-toground services for North American business aviation operators. This agreement expands Honeywell’s work with SmartSky, which began in 2019 when Honeywell was named a value-added reseller by SmartSky for the commercial aviation market. SmartSky connectivity services will be integrated with Honeywell Forge software and services platform and customers can select Honeywell GoDirect for use on the SmartSky Network.
Viasat Select
At 2021 NBAA. Viasat announced the launch of Viasat Select. The first direct service model for business aviation from a satellite network operator. the new service introduces custom connectivity solutions and compelling service plans that are tailored to match business aircraft's specific operational profile. The Viasat Select service plans include global and regional unlimited plans that feature uncapped data paired with Viasat's popular "No Speed Limit" Ka-band IFC. In addition to offering its new direct service, Viasat will continue to offer Ka-band service through its network of value-added resellers (VARs), ensuring operators have multiple options for procuring their industryleading IFC service and the ability to utilize additional services offered by Viasat's VARs. ELITE WINGS MAGAZINE | 89
Picture © Satcom Direct
CONNECTIVITY HARDWARE A large offering of cabin connectivity hardware is available in the market for either line-fit installation by the aircraft manufacturer or as a retrofit by MRO centers. The hardware can be divided into three main sub-systems, the antenna system including the radome and steering electronics, the avionics transceivers allowing for data reception and transmission to the antenna, and the cabin subsystem allowing for laptops, tablets, and smartphones to connect to the cabin network.
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ANTENNAS TECHNOLOGY
CHALLENGE
Although in recent years, aircraft antenna technology has highly evolved allowing for even more compact and higher throughput capability. antennas are still the “bottle neck” that currently restricts the type of connection speed available to aircraft. different technologies exist depending on the frequency band ranging from electronically steered phased array antennas to the most common mechanically steered dish antennas
TAIL-MOUNTED
SATCOM ANTENNAS Designed to be mounted on top of the vertical stabilizer, these antennas are specially optimized for business aircraft and small military/government aircraft, tail-mounted antennas are available for L /Ku and Ka-band. These antennas save weight and space, but also causes less drag and noise compared to fuselage-mounted installations.
ATG ANTENNAS Compared to the Satcom networks, The ATG networks are accessed through much smaller antennas mounted on the bottom and side of the aircraft.
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Connectivity Installations Booming But Parts Shortage Still a Challenge! Justin Vena, Senior Installations Sales Representative answers Elite Wings questions
About Duncan Aviation
What are the trends in cabin connectivity installations? Duncan Aviation realizes a large number of cabin connectivity systems installations, over the last few years the number of installations averaged around 100 aircraft per year, 70% of these installations are for ATG on all business jet categories whereas 30% are for Satcom systems in Mid and Large cabin jets. The demand has been very strong through the pandemic as customers took advantage of the ADS-B avionics compliance mandate to install or upgrade their connectivity systems. ATG from Gogo is still the most popular installation in light and midsize cabins. Duncan Aviation has been for over 10 years a market leader for GOGO ATG STC development and installation. Large cabins are still dominated by the proven and very popular Inmarsat Ka-band Jetwave system. Demand for Viasat Ka-band is fast-growing while the Inmarsat legacy L-band SBB system is becoming less and less popular. How can customers plan their connectivity system Installation / Upgrade? The best timing for a cabin connectivity system installation/upgrade is during the natural downtime whether it’s for Major inspection, Paint, or cabin refresh. The installation downtime required for an ATG system installation is 3 to 4 weeks and up to 4 weeks for a tailmounted Satcom installation. The biggest challenge we have seen lately is connectivity hardware parts shortage driven by the global supply chain. Business jet operators have to carefully plan their parts availability as lead times can be up to 4 months for some very popular systems.
Duncan Aviation is the largest family-owned business aircraft service provider supporting the aviation needs of business aircraft operators, government agencies, and other aircraft service providers. With more than 2,300 team members located around the globe, Duncan Aviation’s services include major and minor airframe inspections, engine maintenance, major retrofits for cabin and cockpit avionics systems, full paint and interior services, engineering and certification services, and fabrication and manufacturing services. Duncan Aviation was founded in 1956 as an aircraft sales provider and the company continues to offer aircraft brokerage and acquisition services today with the experience of more than 3,500 aircraft transactions. Duncan Aviation also has international aircraft components solutions experts available 24/7/365 at +1.402.475.4125 who can handle any aircraft system problem with immediate exchanges, rotables, loaners or avionics/instrument/accessory repairs and overhauls. Duncan Aviation’s full-service facilities are located in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah. The company also has dozens of other Satellite facilities and offices strategically located throughout the United States to provide customers with scheduled regional support and the quickest response possible to avionics, engine and airframe Aircraft On Ground (AOG) situations.
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For Duncan Aviation’s services call +1 402.475.2611 or visit www.DuncanAviation.aero
FLYING COLOURS Supporting Canadian aviation market Flying Colours Corp.
has been supporting Canadian aerospace, operators, OEMs and partners for some four decades. The family run business headquartered in Peterborough, Ontario incorporates a highly skilled team of maintenance, repair and overhaul technicians, talented interior designers, imaginative engineers, interior craftsmanship second to none, and an expert avionics team. The paint shop crew is ready to take on even the most challenging design and paint applications in the high-tech purpose-built paint hangar which opened just two years’ ago. The ability to source all these services from a single resource makes Flying Colours Corp. the go to business aviation services company for Canadian operators, owners, and OEMs seeking out home-grown services firmly positions the company as an essential part of the Canadian aerospace landscape. The business started painting aircraft, hence the name, and projects included King Airs and other small aircraft. As time went by Canadian owners returned to request minor maintenance which over more time became major and John Gillespie the founder grew the business from these local foundations. To this day Canadian owners rely on the Flying Colours experience to maintain their airframes. Aircraft sizes have grown, and the smaller King Airs are now replaced with sleek jets from Bombardier, Gulfstream and Dassault, ant the company’s core philosophy of operating with integrity, innovation and flexibility still drives the business forward. In addition to colleagues who have been there from the start, there are also Canadian customers who have been trusting the business with their aircraft for similar lengths of time. As an Authorized Bombardier Service centre, Flying Colours Corp. not only supports Canadian owners for all in service business aircraft, but it also works on special mission projects. Recent years have seen Flying Colours Corp. supporting Bombardier in completing three Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft with state-of-the-art medevac capabilities; working with firefighting specialist Conair to equip six
Q400MR multi-purpose aircraft by engineering, fabricating, installing, certifying, and completing four different cabin interiors to support passenger, cargo, combi-transport, and medevac special missions. The aircraft has the fifth firefighting role added by Conair which installs tanks to hold firefighting retardant. This Canadian relationship enables change of the aircraft purpose within a quick time frame, maximises operational efficiency and costs, in a diverse range of operating environments. “We have had extensive experience working on the Global family in both VIP and special mission formats and are proud to have delivered these aircraft in partnership with Bombardier to Saab. Saab’s GlobalEye project specifically showcases the high levels of technical expertise delivered by our experience, knowledge, and the exceptional talent within our team,” says Sean Gillespie, Executive VP for Flying Colours Corp.
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CONNECTIVITY HARDWARE SALES & INSTALLATION
Picture © Satcom Direct
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ELITE WINGS MEDIA
Any information of a technical nature contained in this document may contain inaccuracies and is subject to change and should never be relied upon for operational use. © 2022 ELITE WINGS MEDIA
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