CABIN Electronics 2.qxp_Finance 27/10/2021 16:38 Page 1
CABIN ELECTRONICS
Smaller Aircraft Served in Evolving Connectivity Landscape Traditionally, the fastest connectivity has been available to larger jets that can accommodate larger antennas on their fuselage. That looks set to change through Satcom Direct’s Plane Simple Antenna Systems…
O
nly 15 years ago, successfully sending an SMS from a business jet was cause for celebration. Today, depending on the aircraft and connectivity options, passengers expect unrestricted browsing, movie and news streaming, video chat, and even live gameplay. In the cockpit, pilots benefit from unprecedented situational awareness and operational oversight. Powerful real-time weather apps, airport maps, and operational and maintenance systems are together driving improvements in efficiency and, most critically, safety. Now, a new generation of cloud-connected, alwayson avionics is emerging. Integrating apps and electronic flight bags, they also enable secure in-cockpit access to third party websites and provide everyone involved in an airplane’s operation with immediate access to aircraft and operational data, anytime, anywhere. These potentially game-changing systems are driven by robust connectivity. It’s no surprise then that for many operators, if the connectivity is down, the airplane stays on the ground. Connectivity may have become flight critical, but the options available for connecting an airplane remain complex. Today’s fastest connections are through Kaand Ku-band satellite connections, requiring antennas practical only for Super Mid-size Jets and larger.
102 Vol 25 Issue 11 2021 AVBUYER MAGAZINE
Operators of smaller airplanes must therefore examine the alternatives. For US-based aircraft the best solution may well be an air-to-ground (ATG) system, where smaller antennas provide fast connections, albeit geographically limited. A very basic decision about connectivity is thus fundamentally determined by antenna size. With a system chosen, the process of modification may still be less than straightforward. Existing antennas are less likely to be compatible with new networks, while even the radome may have to change, depending on the frequency of the ‘connectivity pipe’ from the satellite. So, how should you choose a connectivity supplier, with disparate variables to consider, and with every provider promising the highest levels of service and customer support? The answer to that question ultimately depends on the customer, but a single-source, agnostic solution may be the best option
Satcom Direct’s Plane Simple Solution
Florida-based Satcom Direct (SD) offers agnostic connectivity across the full spectrum of providers, adding value through proprietary software tools and apps that help operators maximize the benefits and efficiency that are enabled through their chosen pipe. The systems also allow integration of third-party www.AVBUYER.com
