Under a new Preferred Service Provider (PSP) agreement, GE Aviation is to power cockpit and cabin connectivity solutions on Bombardier aircraft. The company will offer new service bundles for new and in-service aircraft.
This agreement is a first step towards the launch of Bombardier’s comprehensive Smart Link Plus connected aircraft programme. Launching in the second half of 2020, Smart Link Plus is designed to help Bombardier customers drive operations and maintenance decisions by leveraging fleet-wide data.
GE Aviation is also working closely with Bombardier on the development of the Smart Link Plus box – a Health Monitoring Unit (HMU) ‘smart’ box capable of generating key data for customers.
Eligible Challenger and Global customers will receive this HMU free-of-charge. The smart box will provide aircraft data to Bombardier’s digital platform where it will be analysed and transferred into actionable insights.
Smart Link Plus generated insights will empower flight operations and maintenance teams to dispatch, troubleshoot and track aircraft service needs more efficiently. The free-of-charge Smart Link Plus box will be available for installation on new and in-service aircraft at all Bombardier service centres.
The smart box technology was first introduced on the flagship Global 7500 and will now be adapted for eligible Challenger and other Global aircraft programmes.
“Bombardier business jet customers expect and deserve the latest and greatest technology advancements available and we are continuing to deliver a high level of sophistication,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, vice president and general manager, customer experience, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “Our new Smart Link Plus connected aircraft programme will create fully connected aircraft, enabling customers to access key data and insights to help with decision-making and flight operations. We are excited to announce this for our in-service fleet as well as new aircraft. Coupled with our extensive global infrastructure expansion, this digital transformation is the next step in dramatically enhancing Bombardier’s customer service experience worldwide.”
A key enabler for the Smart Link Plus vision will be through GE Aviation’s Digital Works services, leveraging GE’s experience in data and analytics. Digital Works will support the operator including connectivity, cockpit communications, flight support and safety applications.
“This new relationship with Bombardier will help streamline customer service relationships by offering integrated connectivity service offerings and customer support,” said Andrew Coleman, senior Vice president, digital solutions of GE Aviation. “We are honoured to be the preferred partner of Bombardier to create advanced technologies to help connect the aircraft with flight operations and improve overall efficiencies and capabilities. Our work is centred around delighting our customers and delivering industry-leading levels of service.”
The final stage of the programme brings it to its apex: a fully connected aircraft that connects owners, maintenance crews, pilots and operators to data-enabled applications, while leveraging insights from the Bombardier fleet in one digital ecosystem, and including future benefits such as aircraft predictive maintenance.
