Wichita, KS, June 8, 2017: Airtext, a subsidiary of Send Solutions of Alpharetta, GA and 3S Engineering, LLC of Wichita, KS, a subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corporation, have announced an agreement to transfer the Supplemental Type Certifi-cate (STC) for installation of Airtext’s SMS messaging system on the Cessna Model 750 (Citation X) to 3S for the purpose of creating a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Approved Model List (AML) which will apply to a broad list of FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations) Part 23 and Part 25-certified aircraft. The agreement creates a temporary arrangement that facilitates the companies’ collaborative effort to simplify the installation and approval of the system on numerous models of aircraft.
Airtext connects IOS or Android personal devices such as cell phones or tablets via the Iridium Satellite network to provide on-board text messaging capabilities for up to 16 users, anywhere in the world. Priced at a fraction of competitive broadband-based sys-tems which don’t provide global coverage, Airtext was introduced initially in 2014.
“The use of personal devices have changed the way we communicate on a routine basis,” noted David Gray, chief executive officer and founder of Airtext’s parent company, SEND SOLUTIONS. “But, until recently, the efficiency and convenience they provide didn’t apply to passengers and crew members on board aircraft…especially light jets and personally flown airplanes. That’s why we’ve developed Airtext and why we are collaborating with 3S Engineering to make ‘typical’ text messaging available and affordable.”
“We’re pleased to be working with Airtext to allow IOS and Android device users to ‘stay in touch’ even when they’re en route,” added Randy Eno, General Manager of 3S Engi-neering. “The transfer of the Supplemental Type Certificate allows us to more easily uti-lize the C-750 data package for reference and support of our near term efforts to obtain an FAR Part 23 AML STC. Once we’ve completed that process, we will expand it to en-compass FAR Part 25 aircraft as well. The end result will make Airtext an extremely practical and affordable option for operators of a broad list of aircraft—without the additional time and expense of obtaining a proprietary STC.”
Eno noted that 3S is currently working with the operators of a Pilatus PC-12 turboprop to monitor their Airtext installation. He is targeting August 15 for the acquisition of Part 23 AML approval. FAR Part 25 work will follow.
The Airtext SMS messaging system is a light-weight (1.2 lbs.) device that utilizes Iridium satellites to provide global texting capabilities for up to 16 users. It’s priced at $9,750, not including the Iridium antenna. A $300 annual Airtext membership includes 1000 free messages with each additional communication available for 5 cents each. Airtext+ offers a bigger modem in the same lightweight configuration at a price of $14,950. Voice calls are available with the device with the purchase of a pre-paid Iridium sim card.
“We are incorporating a number of enhancements into our Airtext products, based on inputs from our customer base,” Gray said. “We will be announcing added capabilities soon,” he pointed out.
A pilot since the age of 16, Gray spent six years in the military and has more than 30 years of experience in the avionics industry. He previously founded Flight Display Systems, which he sold in 2014, before founding SEND SOLUTIONS. The company joined the Aircraft Electronic Association in 2016. It currently employs 11 people and is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.
