Cessna Selects Gogo, Gulfstream Opts Of Axxess
Aircell, a leading provider of in-flight connectivity for
business aviation, announced Sunday that Cessna Aircraft Company
will offer Gogo Biz high-speed Internet capability as a factory
option for the Citation CJ4 beginning in the first quarter of 2012.
Cessna’s efforts to engineer and certify the system on the
CJ4 platform are already well underway and are slated for
completion in January.
Gogo Biz enables passengers and flight crews to enjoy high-speed
Internet capabilities above 10,000 feet in the continental U.S. and
portions of Alaska, using their own Wi-Fi enabled laptops, tablets,
EFBs, smartphones and other mobile devices. In addition to the new
Internet capabilities being announced today, the CJ4 already
includes global Iridium voice capabilities from Aircell as standard
equipment. With integrated cabin handsets, passengers and crews can
place and receive voice calls to or from anywhere in the world and
enjoy call waiting, call forwarding, and conference calling
features.
"Whether checking email, connecting to the company network,
catching up on the latest news, accessing ebooks and magazines, or
just surfing the web – we’re stepping up the
possibilities," said Don Beverlin, who formerly headed up Cessna
Aircraft Company’s supply chain operations and is now
Business Leader for CJ series products. "We’ve worked with
Aircell for many years and we continue to believe in their vision.
Their ability to give us a complete range of connectivity
solutions, network services and equipment packages across
Cessna’s diverse range of business aircraft is exactly what
we need.”
The CJ4’s standard equipment package currently includes
the Aircell Axxess cabin communications system for worldwide voice
capabilities. The new high speed Internet option will add an ATG
4000 high speed Internet transceiver, a Cabin Telecommunications
Router (CTR), and dual antennas mounted beneath the fuselage.
“Today’s announcement highlights two significant
trends in the business aviation market. First, connectivity plays
an increasingly central role in all of our lives today, and
business aircraft operators fully expect those services to be
available when they fly,” said John Wade, Aircell’s
executive vice president and general manager. “Second,
Cessna’s decision to offer a full complement of voice and
high-speed internet services aboard a light jet is another clear
sign that in-flight technology has become smaller, lighter and more
affordable.”
As the G650 continues to progress towards certification, Aircell
Axxess has been selected as standard equipment aboard the new G650
business jet.
Aircell Axxess is a cabin communications system that provides
global voice service and narrowband data capabilities via the
Iridium Satellite network. Integrated cabin handsets allow
passengers and crew to easily place and receive voice calls to or
from anywhere in the world.
“The Gulfstream G650 is a very technologically-advanced
aircraft and Aircell Axxess’ global communications
capabilities will play an important role in the passenger
experience as well as with ongoing aircraft operation,” said
John Wade, Aircell’s executive vice president and general
manager. “Since Aircell Axxess is also offered on several
other Gulfstream aircraft, fleet commonality will help passengers
feel right at home as they communicate with family, friends and
colleagues as they fly.”