RESEARCH TRIANGLE, N.C., - SmartSky Networks, a of inflight air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity for business aviation based in Morrisville, N.C., announced it has been granted the first commercially available FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its SmartSky LITE system which is a streaming-level in-flight connectivity solution designed for smaller business aircraft. SmartSky LITE features high performance, multi-Mbps, and low latency connectivity for small business aircraft for $99/hour with unlimited data and no device limits. On the first two flights of the Lear 60, the customer averaged over 1 GB per hour, reaching speeds over 10 Mbps with 80% of the data downloaded to the plane and 20% uploaded off.
The STC was granted following installation on a Bombardier Lear 60 business jet by sales and installation partner Reliable Jet Maintenance of Boca Raton, FL. Liberty Partners of Okmulgee, OK provided engineering services.
"We are happy to be part of the first customer installation of SmartSky's groundbreaking LITE system, which brings streaming services to light jets and turboprops. We can finally make high-performance connectivity a reality for our Lear 60 customers and all owner-operators of similar size aircraft," said James Stormont (President) Reliable Jet Maintenance. "We look forward to continuing to partner with SmartSky Networks on upcoming installation projects."
The news comes amid the in-progress installations for many additional SmartSky STCs, including several more for the SmartSky LITE system anticipated in the next several months. Most recently, the Falcon 2000 aircraft series was granted an STC for SmartSky's Flagship system for mid- to large-cabin aircraft.
"Reliable Jet is one of our newest sales and installation partners. It is exciting that they completed their first SmartSky installation within a very short time, and also own the title of first to complete a LITE installation on a customer aircraft. SmartSky's LITE system shatters industry expectations for what is possible on a smaller business aircraft, as its diminutive size and high performance deliver streaming to smaller aircraft, unlocking capabilities they've never had before. Reliable Jet's expertise played a big part in this project's success and marks a major milestone in our pursuit of powering more business aircraft with SmartSky's industry-leading connectivity technology," said Rich Pilock Vice President of Product Management for SmartSky.
