Avionics News July 2018 - 29

have nearly earned their way onto the master minimum
"Because of this flexibility, owners of older aircraft can
equipment list on the majority of large-cabin corporate
enjoy SMS texting capabilities in-flight without spending
aircraft. High-speed connectivity: Don't leave home
a lot of money on installation," he said. "Another benefit
without it.
is that the delivered experience is the same as they have
"Today, we're making inroads into the cabins of large
with normal texting, while an airborne internet experience
corporate aircraft and airliners," Kauffman said. "But the
can be much slower than what they are used to on the
place that's been left out is the lower end of the business
ground."
and GA market. Up until now, the equipment has been too
Gray explained that once the AirText unit is "installed"
big, too heavy and too expensive. But that's all changed."
in the aircraft, the pilot and/or passengers could easily
In fact, there is a growing selection of connectivity
connect their smartphone or tablet to the AirText system
options available now for all types
via the unit's Bluetooth.
of small-cabin aircraft - even
"Passengers are able to use the
piston singles. While that may
system just as they would on the
seem a bit like overkill, even basic
ground," he said. "The in-flight
SMS texting connectivity can
experience is seamless. Along with
deliver a host of benefits to a single
texting, pilots enjoy other benefits
pilot.
that will help make flying easier.
"Connectivity and entertainment
For example, we are now providing
have always been at a price
METARS, TAFS, digital ATIS and
geared toward the people sitting
ASOS to the pilot."
in the back of the airplane," stated
Gray also said a popular use for
Sergio Aguirre, president of Gogo
AirText is to enable fleet pilots to
EVEN THOUGH THE
Business Aviation. "What we're
stay in touch through texting one
TYPICAL FLIGHT IN
doing now is to introduce equipment
another like they do on the ground.
A SMALLER CABIN
in smaller form factors and at prices
Regarding cost, Gray said the
TURBOPROP OR LIGHT
that deliver enough flexibility so the
AirText system pricing starts at
JET IS SOUTH OF TWOowner/pilot can get as much value
$9,750 and a service contract is
HOURS,
PASSENGERS,
out of the system as anyone on the
$300 per year, which includes
airplane. It's a totally different use.
the first 1,000 SMS messages.
AND MANY PILOTS,
But it delivers some big benefits."
Subsequent messages are billed at a
CAN'T IMAGINE BEING
To better understand what
nickel per text.
DISCONNECTED
FOR
options are available for smallerThe AirText system can also
cabin connectivity, Avionics News
be
upgraded to the AirText Plus,
THAT LONG.
contacted three market leaders to
which provides satellite phone call
see what solutions they offer today.
capabilities. The cost for AirText
Plus is $14,973, and the SMS plan is
AirText
the same $300 per year. All phone calls are priced at $1.60
"Our approach is not full-blown internet connectivity,
per minute.
but rather a messaging app that can send and receive text
messages at the speeds found with terrestrial messaging,"
BendixKing AeroWave 100 and Text & Track
explained David Gray, company president. "The
Kauffman explained that while the AeroWave 100 was
advantage is that our antenna and hardware are small and
originally developed to be a connectivity solution for
can even be used as a portable solution or can be hardturboprops and light jets, it's catching on with owner/
wired into the aircraft."
operators of larger piston singles, as well.
Grey explained that the AirText box is about the same
"We have an AML/STC that currently covers Part 23
size as a paperback book and is certified by the Federal
aircraft that includes Wi-Fi for models ranging from the
Aviation Administration to be Velcro-mounted in the
large piston airframes up to light jets," he said. "We've
cabin. The Iridium antenna can either be placed on the
also recently added some larger, legacy airframes
cockpit glare shield, or you can mount a GPS-receiversized antenna on top of the aircraft.
Continued on following page
avionics news

july

2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News July 2018