SmartSky is gaining momentum in its transition from building out a next generation air-to-ground network to activating aircraft. The past month has seen several significant milestones on that path, covering both its Flagship and LITE solutions for the business aviation market.
Jet Access joins the program
The Phenom 300 is a top seller in the market. And later this year it will have multiple options for inflight internet service on board.
Indianapolis-based Jet Access has signed on as a sales and installation partner with SmartSky, with a commitment to install the LITE system on the Embraer Phenom 300. The first-of-type installation is expected to be completed later this summer.
“We are proud to be able to expand our offerings to elevate the flying experience for everyone on the aircraft through this partnership with SmartSky,” said Scott Dillon, President of Maintenance for Jet Access.
SmartSky will compete directly with Gogo for service on the Phenom 300s. Both the AVANCE L3 and L5 systems are certified. Moreover, one fleet operator announced plans to install SmartSky on its Phenom 300 fleet before switching to the AVANCE L3 kit.
Jet Access also provides services for Pilatus aircraft, in addition to Embraer types, leaving the door open for future STCs with SmartSky.
Davinci’s range of options
Late last year Davinci Jets completed its first SmartSky installation, on a Pilatus PC-12. The MRO and charter operator has since added installations on the Citation Latitude and King Air 350 types to its portfolio, bringing the next generation of connectivity to both jets and props in the business aviation world.
“Demand for SmartSky is growing in the marketplace because customers expect to be continuously and reliably connected even while in transit,” said Eric Legvold, CEO of Davinci Jets. “The customers who are now flying SmartSky-equipped planes are able to do just that. We are proud to be upgrading our customers’ inflight experience with the only next-generation ATG connectivity solution that is available for business aviation.”
The Latitude received SmartSky’s Flagship solution while the King Air 350 saw the smaller LITE offering installed. Perhaps most notable for the King Air is that it previously flew with Gogo’s AVANCE L3 kit on board. When asked about the user experience compared to the L3 system (for a press release), Captain Greg Mashburn offered up a raving review, “So far, it’s been way better, obviously. Gogo was pretty spotty and half the time our passengers or the crew couldn’t even connect, let alone send a text. Now we can send photos, FaceTime, and stream videos really easily. Everyone’s excited.”
SmartSky executives previously expressed optimism that the retirement of Gogo’s legacy ATG network will bring about a competitive shift in the market, especially as the legacy Gogo ATG network is retired at the end of next year. Seeing an AVANCE L3 system migrate off to SmartSky LITE seems to be fulfilling that promise, at least for one plane so far.
SmartSky also notes that Davinci has a Citation CJ4 installation underway.
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