With the network deployment hampered by a dispute with a hardware manufacturer SmartSky shifted focus to the software side of its business. The company launched SmoothSky, a turbulence avoidance application as part of its Skytelligence platform. The system builds on IATA’s Turbulence Aware Program data to help pilots and dispatchers better optimize operations.
Commercial air carriers using the IATA Turbulence Aware Program have seen improved safety and efficiency across their operations, and we are excited to exclusively bring these benefits to business aviation.
– Brit Wanick, SmartSky VP of Digital Solutions
The SmoothSky offering collects crowdsourced turbulence data, processed via IATA’s clearinghouse. It can be used in pre-flight planning, of course, but becomes even more valuable when taking advantage of an in-flight data connection to update in real time as the flight progresses.
Of course, for SmartSky customers to take advantage of that benefit the underlying network must come online. Timing for that remains unclear. The company is currently involved in a pair of lawsuits related to manufacture of its tower components, one filed by the supplier and another by SmartSky, while also working to shift production to a new company.
That delay is especially challenging to SmartSky as Gogo continues to develop its new ATG solution and secure additional customers. One of SmartSky’s main advantages was its ability to beat Gogo to market by a few years. That padding continues to evaporate as unexplained delays emerge every 6-9 months.
That the data for SmoothSky comes from a third party also raises some questions about how unique or compelling the SmoothSky offering is. Presumably others in the industry could develop a similar solution using the same data if it is a compelling solution for customers.
SmartSky declined to comment further on these challenges.
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