Satcom Direct has announced the first installation of its Plane Simple Ku-band antenna on a Brazil-registered executive jet.
The terminal was installed on a Gulfstream G550 in July 2023. The aircraft is the first executive jet to optimise the SD antenna technology in Latin America. The operator has already confirmed it will be adding the system to the same undisclosed owner’s Gulfstream G450 in Q1 2024. Three additional Brazil-registered Gulfstream G550s are scheduled to have the equipment installed before the end of 2023, and SD Brazil has a backlog of orders for 2024.
“SD is raising the connectivity bar with this new purpose-built class of antenna for the business aviation sector,” said Ewerton Libanio, managing director for SD Brazil. “Our clients in this region have been eagerly waiting for a simplified, high-speed data solution, and we are already delighted to hold orders for next year. More importantly, we are giving customers greater flexibility, cost-effective connectivity options, and a single resource to fulfil every connectivity need for those flying within Latin America and around the globe.”
The aircraft owners fly for business and leisure and use the connectivity to stay productive and entertained. The aircraft is connected with the Intelsat FlexExec high-throughput satellite network, which provides dedicated business aviation airtime.
The simplified antenna installation requires the fitting of two line replaceable units – the tail-mounted antenna and the SD modem unit. Available now, the installation makes the complete SD ecosystem of hardware, software, ground infrastructure, cybersecurity and customer support available immediately to corporate, private and government owners, as well as supporting special-mission airframes.
Brazil’s ANAC has released an STC for the Plane Simple Ku-band terminal for the Gulfstream G550 installation as well as for Gulfstream GIV, GIV-X, G450, GV and GV-SP types. In addition, an STC has been awarded by the ANAC for Dassault F2000LX/LXS, F900EX/LX and Falcon 7X models.
The executive jet installation follows the equipping of a Brazil-registered Embraer EMB-110 for operator Fototerra, which uses the technology to transmit coastal images in real-time directly to its customers.
