Latest Enhancement To Airtext Airborne Messaging Program Provides Crew With Direct, Real Time Communications Channel To Customer Service Representatives

Airtext and WilsonAir Center are proud to announce FBOlink, a new customer capability of digital communications between the airplane and Fixed Base Operators (FBO) Customer Service Representatives (CSR).  As the Beta launch customer, WilsonAir is initiating FBOlink at all four of its locations in  Memphis and Chattanooga,Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina and William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas.

“FBOlink works simply and efficiently to enhance flight department communications, safety and flexibility,” says WilsonAir founder Bob Wilson.  “For example, a text message can be sent from the airplane to an FBO CSR terminal via the Iridium network from anywhere in the world.  It can be generated at any point in the flight, taking the burden off pilots who would previously have to wait to communicate over radio until they were within VFR range.  At airports with terrain obstructions or very long approach corridors where communications can be difficult, that has the potential to add more  items to the crew’s already long checklist during a critical phases of flight. With FBOlink, pilots can communicate in-flight changes to itineraries or accommodate unique passenger requests during the relative calm of enroute cruise segments when they aren’t as liable to be receiving vector for traffic or frequency changes.”

“Safety of flight is a key benefit of FBOlink,” agrees David Gray, President of Send Solutions. “As Bob said, it’s most obvious in a sterile cockpit environment during the critical phases of flight during approach and landing.  The clarity of communications is definitely enhanced by conveying information in textual form.  When a pilot sends a message via FBOlink, it incorporates the airplane’s tail number, aircraft type, and his or her name along with a read receipt to confirm the message was received.  At the CSR computer terminal, when that message is received, a “pop-up” box will appear alerting the recipient to the FBOlink message.  In addition, an integrated colored LED light will flash to annunciate pending messages.  The annunciation is programmed to change colors or flash frequency after a predetermined time as desired.  Messages are posted in chronological order and all CSRs can share the airplane dialog until the airplane has landed.”

Gray and Wilson point to the efficient communications offered by FBOlink as an obvious time and cost saver, as well.  “Since it works virtually anywhere and allows flight departments and FBO’s to better manage their customers’ needs, it streamlines ground operations and turn times, too,” they added.

(Source: Airtext news release)

FMI: airtext.aero