Gogo Business Aviation’s Gogo Biz 4G in-flight connectivity solution is on track to launch in the first half of this year, following supplemental type certificate (STC) approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration for its use on Bombardier Challenger aircraft.
The air-to-ground technology was developed specifically for the business aviation market and it uses the company’s existing ground network of more than 250 cellular towers. Operators can access the network by installing “a single, lightweight box”, says Gogo.
The Gogo Biz 4G service will also offer Gogo Vision, which provides movies and television shows, flight tracker, real-time weather reports, Gogo Text & Talk – which allows passengers to call and text with their personal smart phones – streaming video and audio, live face-to-face conversations through a user’s favourite application, email with attachments, and web browsing.
Gogo has not named a specific launch customer but says: “We do, however, have fleet agreements in place with charter operators Delta Private Jets and XOJET. Both will begin adding the service once it is ready and available for installation.”
Several dealers are working towards securing STCs for a number of other business aircraft types, and Gogo says that “more will be announced in the coming weeks”.
Duncan Aviation is gaining Gogo Biz 4G STCs for the Falcon 900 series, Bombardier Global Express series, Challenger 600 series and Gulfstream 200 aircraft. Constant Aviation is seeking STCs for Embraer 145 Series Shuttle, Legacy 600/650, Gulfstream V, and Phenom 300 aircraft. Western Aircraft will develop STCs for the Dassault Falcon 2000 series while Silverhawk Aviation is working on the Cessna Citation 560 series.
Gogo says interest is “strong” for the service. “Through various promotions and customer rewards offers, we have nearly 1,000 current and/or potential customers who have either committed, or have stated their intent, to add the Gogo Biz 4G service to their aircraft.”
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Source: Flight Daily News
