Thornton Aviation has been announced as a sales and installation provider for SmartSky Networks’ shipsets, at its locations in Van Nuys and Burbank, California. SmartSky Networks is an air-to-ground (ATG) inflight connectivity provider.
Thornton Aviation has more than three decades of experience in aircraft services. It will sell and install SmartSky’s connectivity equipment, offering these services to the wide range of corporate and business aircraft currently serviced and managed at its FAA-certified facilities.
“With one of the longest operating MROs at one of the busiest general aviation airports, we understand that a customer’s inflight connectivity experience is a top priority,” said Vincent Russo, director of avionics at Thornton Aviation. “We also know that keeping the operations team and crew connected in real-time will make for an even better flying experience. By adding SmartSky to our portfolio of aviation services, we can ensure that passengers, crew and operations have the internet access and data they need.”
“Thornton Aviation services and manages a wide range of business aircraft,” said Aria Bahawdory, director of MRO account management for SmartSky Networks. “Their long-standing expertise and broad aircraft knowledge, coupled with available STCs for many of the aircraft they service, will provide their customers with an inflight connectivity solution that meets the needs of cabin, crew and operators alike.”
SmartSky’s products and services are available through a growing network of installation partners and value-added resellers (VARs). The three interrelated offerings include SmartSky’s patented, next-generation ATG network, antennas and ABRs, and a digital platform and application-layer, Skytelligence. The company said full CONUS network coverage is on track for the end of this quarter and hardware is available now for installation.