DUBAI, U.A.E. (Dec. 9, 2010) – Hawker Beechcraft Services (HBS) today announced its Chester, U.K., facility is taking orders for the Thrane & Thrane Aviator 200 Inmarsat Satcom system with Wi-Fi capability on its Beechcraft King Air 200 and 300 series turboprops. The Aviator 200 will permit in-flight international broadband connectivity. HBS is expected to receive a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the aircraft from the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) by the end of the year. An additional STC covering King Air C90 aircraft is also planned.
“Adding broadband capability to the King Air 200 and 300 aircraft make them even more versatile and productive by providing operators the benefit of Internet access regardless of the aircraft’s mission,” said Christi Tannahill, HBC vice president, Global Customer Support. “We are excited to offer our customers in the region yet another option in our service and support offerings.”
The Thrane & Thrane AVIATOR 200 features lightweight and compact equipment designed to work as a standalone system for aircraft not currently equipped with satellite communication. The system provides international broadband connectivity utilizing SwiftBroadband service over the Inmarsat satellite communications network. With the addition of the WiFi Voice Over Internet Protocol handsets or two-wire handsets, the Aviator 200 is a complete connectivity solution.
AVIATOR 200 permits Wi-Fi enabled devices such as Smart Phones, Personal Digital Assistants and laptop computers to access the Internet wirelessly for audio and video communication, e-mail correspondence or access to a Virtual Private Network to download corporate files. These services can be accessed via wired or wireless connections built into the AVIATOR 200, alleviating the need for external wired and wireless routers.
Headquartered in Wichita, Kan., Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS) is dedicated to improving the value of HBC aircraft by employing products and services to simplify aircraft ownership, reduce operating cost and increase resale value. GCS is comprised of four functional groups that include Support Plus (cost predictability/warranty programs), Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution (genuine factory parts), Hawker Beechcraft Services (factory-owned service centers) and Technical Support (Field Support Representatives, Hot Line specialists and Technical Publications).
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.
