Hawker Beechcraft Adds Broadband Connectivity to Fielded King Air Turboprops

May 3, 2010
HBS today announced it has selected the Thrane & Thrane AVIATOR 200 system to provide broadband connectivity for its best-selling Beechcraft King Air family.

GENEVA, Switzerland (May 3, 2010) – Hawker Beechcraft Services (HBS) today announced it has selected the Thrane & Thrane AVIATOR 200 system to provide broadband connectivity for its best-selling Beechcraft King Air family, including 90, 200, 300 and 350 model aircraft. The company is offering pre-certification pricing for system installation at its factory-owned HBS facilities. Certification of the system is expected in the fourth quarter of 2010. This announcement follows the successful introduction of high speed Internet on the company’s line of midsize Hawker business jets in 2009.

“While the King Air already reigns as the most popular business turboprop of all time, we continue looking for opportunities to further improve its capability, versatility and value through systems like that of Thrane & Thrane’s AVIATOR 200,” said Christi Tannahill, HBC vice president, Global Customer Support. “The possibilities are truly endless with on-board broadband connectivity and we expect King Air operators all around the world will enjoy the added productivity that broadband connectivity delivers while developing new ways to utilize their aircraft. Corporate operators can refine business proposals en route to meetings, air ambulance operators can convey real-time audio and video status of their patients, while cargo operators can re-route aircraft, update manifest and report aircraft status.”

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.

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.

To schedule the AVIATOR 200 installation or for more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraftservices.com.Thrane & Thrane is the world’s leading manufacturer of equipment and systems for global mobile communication based on sophisticated satellite and radio technology. Since its incorporation in 1981, the company has established a strong position within global mobile communication solutions based on the Inmarsat system, and today Thrane & Thrane provides equipment for maritime, land-based and aeronautical use. The company’s communication products are sold throughout the world under the brands Thrane & Thrane, EXPLORER® and SAILOR® through distributors and partners. Thrane & Thrane is listed on NASDAQ OMX in Copenhagen (THRAN). www.thrane.com.

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 re-sale 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 administration).

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.