BASEL, Switzerland / November 17, 2015 – Jet Aviation Basel has recently signed an agreement to perform the world’s first installation of a Ka-Band satellite communications system (SCS) on a Boeing B747-400 aircraft. The company will install Honeywell’s JetWaveTM fuselage-mounted antenna (MCS-8200) to support the Ka-Band satellite communications (Satcom) system.
Ka-Band connectivity enables one of the highest data transfer speeds available in the industry while further supporting the growth in data expected to occur over the coming decades. Jet Aviation Basel will develop a Ka-Band supplemental type certificate (STC) for the B747-400 and install the Ka-Band system with Honeywell’s high-speed Satcom hardware and the JetWaveTM MCS-8200 fuselage-mounted antenna. The Ka-Band SCS will ultimately interface with the existing local area network (LAN) on the aircraft.
“Business aviation demands the very best in in-flight connectivity,” says Vincent Rongier, head of Refurbishment, Modification and Upgrades at Jet Aviation Basel Maintenance. “Our team of Avionics specialists has the expertise and experience in selecting and installing Satcom systems for all aircraft types. And we take special pride in being able to advise our clients about systems specific to their needs to ensure the best possible user experience.”
Honeywell’s JetWaveTM Ka-band GX Aviation Satellite Communications terminal provides seamless global broadband service via the Inmarsat Global Xpress® network. Designed to give users ultimate flexibility and connectivity, the system supports both commercial global spot beams and high capacity commercial (HCC) spot beams without reconfiguring the system, transitioning networks or changing providers. The terminal is available in two configurations — a fuselage-mounted antenna system for larger air transport grade aircraft (MCS-8200) and a tail-mounted antenna system for corporate and business aviation aircraft (MCS-8000).
“We are very excited to develop the Ka-Band STC and install this hardware,” adds Johannes Turzer, senior vice president and general manager of the Jet Aviation Basel Maintenance Center. “With all of us having enjoyed nearly limitless high speed internet on the ground for so long, we are thrilled to help bring this experience to our customers up in the air.”
Jet Aviation Basel is a world-renowned completions and maintenance center employing more than 1,600 professionals. The facility has in-house design and engineering departments, along with on-site cabinetry, upholstery, sheet metal, composite and paint shops. The organization is capable of outfitting jets as large as an Airbus A380 or the Boeing 747-8 series and has already completed numerous Airbus ACJ319, ACJ320, ACJ330, ACJ340 and Boeing B737, B757, B767 and B747 aircraft. Jet Aviation Basel also provides aircraft maintenance and repair services for a wide variety of business jets. It is a factory approved service center by Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault, Embraer and Gulfstream. The location also holds a jet aircraft repair station rating by the FAA #QV1Y440K, and the EASA #CH.145.0232 in addition to approval certificates of 21 other national aviation authorities.
Jet Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was founded in Switzerland in 1967 and is one of the leading business aviation services companies in the world. Close to 4,500 employees cater to client needs from more than 25 airport facilities throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North and South America. The company provides maintenance, completions and refurbishment, engineering, FBO and fuel services, along with aircraft management, charter services, aircraft sales and personnel services. Jet Aviation's European and U.S. aircraft management and charter divisions jointly operate a fleet of more than 250 aircraft. Please visit www.jetaviation.com and follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/jetaviation.
More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.
