Satcom Direct has confirmed Empire Aviation Group as the first operator in the UAE to deploy the Plane Simple Ku-band terminal.
The system features two line-replaceable units – the tail-mount antenna and SD modem unit. It is currently being equipped by ACC Columbia Jet at its facilities in Hamburg, Germany, on a Bombardier Global XRS. The aircraft is to be re-delivered to Empire Aviation in late November, with the SD Dubai team to support the entry-into-service and handover.
Empire Aviation Group is a leading provider of integrated business aviation solutions and management services.
Both the technical solution’s performance attributes, and SD’s OEM relationships with a growing roster of STCs across major airframes, were cited as critical factors in Empire Aviation’s decision to begin equipping its fleet with the solution.
“As a leading management company, our clients entrust and empower us to deploy solutions that deliver reliability, commercial value and, of course, passenger satisfaction,” said Paras Dhamecha, founder and managing director at Empire Aviation Group. “For us, the SD Plane Simple option just made sense. Satcom Direct offers a highly attractive single resource for all our connectivity needs. From cockpit to cabin, the system provides leading-edge technology backed by a network of top MRO partners and access to expert support 24/7/365 to keep us connected. This approach gives us peace of mind, minimising the risk and pain of deploying new technology.”
Since the commercial introduction of the SD Plane Simple Ku-band terminal just over a year ago, it continues to be adopted worldwide, clocking up more than 10,000 flight hours to date. The SD terminal is purpose-built for business aviation to deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity via the Intelsat FlexExec service, which is committed to providing airtime to the business aviation sector.
“We are extremely proud to partner with Empire Aviation Group on this first deployment of our Plane Simple solution in the UAE,” said David Falberg, VP international, SD. “This deal is testimony to our continued success in delivering innovation to the market, particularly in the Middle East, and customers’ confidence that our solutions will protect their investment and ambitions. As a business, we value long-term working partnerships that allow us to deliver success to our customers and support their competitive advantage now and in the future.”
“Satcom Direct is a natural partner for us,” said Dhamecha of Empire Aviation Group. “They are well-established, knowledgeable and dependable, and our experience with the team has been nothing but positive. Working with SD gives us comfort and confidence, and we look forward to what the future holds together.”
