SmartSky Networks has been granted a commercially available FAA STC for its SmartSky Lite system, a streaming-level inflight connectivity solution for smaller business aircraft.
SmartSky Networks is a provider of inflight air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity for business aviation.
SmartSky Lite brings its patented connectivity to small business aircraft for US$99/hour with unlimited data and no device limits. On the first two flights of the Learjet 60, the customer averaged over 1GB per hour, reaching speeds over 10Mbps with 80% of the data downloaded to the aircraft and 20% uploaded off.
The STC was granted following installation on a Bombardier Learjet 60 by sales and installation partner Reliable Jet Maintenance of Boca Raton, Florida. Liberty Partners of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, provided engineering services.
“We are happy to be part of the first customer installation of SmartSky’s ground-breaking Lite system, which brings streaming services to light jets and turboprops,” said James Stormont, president, Reliable Jet Maintenance. “We can finally make high-performance connectivity a reality for our Lear 60 customers and all owner-operators of similar size aircraft. 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 series was granted an STC for SmartSky’s Flagship system for mid- to large-cabin aircraft.
SmartSky has already been awarded STCs for more than a dozen models from manufacturers such as Textron Aviation, Gulfstream Aerospace, Bombardier, Embraer and Dassault, with many more in progress and scheduled in the coming months.
