SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – August 20, 2015 – StandardAero has signed an agreement with SmartSky Networks to certify and install SmartSky’s industry-first, airborne 4G LTE-based, high-speed wireless internet solution for a variety of business aircraft. StandardAero, through its in-house Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) delegation, will provide Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approvals for the SmartSky system. StandardAero and SmartSky will begin STC development in 2016 as SmartSky completes its network development.
SmartSky Networks’ wireless capabilities provide breakthrough performance for the aviation industry, with a real-time, air-to-ground network that will operate at ten times the speed and capacity of current systems available on the market today. StandardAero is authorized to provide SmartSky installation services at any of the company’s four primary Business Aviation service centers located in Los Angeles, CA; Springfield, IL; Augusta, GA and Houston, TX.
“Our customers are demanding the latest technologies in the cabin and they have expectations for similar speed and performance as they experience in their offices and at home,” said Marc McGowan, StandardAero’s President, Business Aviation. “We are pleased to partner with SmartSky and provide our operators this tremendous option for faster internet services, videoconferencing and streaming media.”
For more than five years, SmartSky Networks has been under development, bringing together recognized leaders in the aviation industry with the best talent and technology in advanced telecommunications.
“StandardAero clearly shares SmartSky’s vision through its demonstrated commitment to stay at the forefront of providing the latest technical solutions to the aviation industry. We are very proud to add StandardAero to our growing family of highly regarded aviation partners and look forward to working closely with them to offer SmartSky 4G service to their customers,” said Haynes Griffin, SmartSky Networks Chairman and CEO.
StandardAero is one of the world's largest independent providers of services including engine and airframe maintenance, repair and overhaul, engine component repair, engineering services, interior completions and paint applications. StandardAero serves a diverse array of customers in business and general aviation, airline, military, helicopter, components, energy and VIP completions markets. The company celebrated its 100th year of industry leadership in 2011. StandardAero is owned by and partnered with Veritas Capital, a leading private equity firm headquartered in New York City. Veritas invests in companies that provide critical products and services to government and commercial customers worldwide including those operating in aerospace & defense, healthcare, technology, national security, communications, energy and education. More information can be found on the company's web site at www.standardaero.com.
SmartSky Networks, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., was formed in 2011 and is comprised of senior aviation and telecommunications executives seeking to leverage disruptive communications technologies to transform aviation. In conjunction with leading aerospace and technology partners, SmartSky plans to beta-launch its innovative Air-To-Ground network, SmartSky 4G, in late 2015, followed by the rollout of nationwide commercial service in 2016. More information can be found atwww.smartskynetworks.com.
