Las Vegas, NV: October 9, 2017—Airtext and WilsonAir Center are proud to announce FBOlink, a new customer capability of digital communications between the airplane and Fixed Base Operators (FBO) Customer Service Representatives (CSR). As the Beta launch customer, WilsonAir is initiating FBOlink at all four of its locations in Memphis and Chattanooga, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina and William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas.
“FBOlink works simply and efficiently to enhance flight department communications, safety and flexibility,” says WilsonAir founder Bob Wilson. “For example, a text mes-sage can be sent from the airplane to an FBO CSR terminal via the Iridium network from anywhere in the world. It can be generated at any point in the flight, taking the burden off pilots who would previously have to wait to communicate over radio until they were within VFR range. At airports with terrain obstructions or very long approach corridors where communications can be difficult, that has the potential to add more items to the crew’s already long checklist during a critical phases of flight. With FBOlink, pilots can communicate in-flight changes to itineraries or accommodate unique passenger requests during the relative calm of enroute cruise segments when they aren’t as liable to be receiving vector for traffic or frequency changes.”
“Safety of flight is a key benefit of FBOlink,” agrees David Gray, President of Send Solutions. “As Bob said, it’s most obvious in a sterile cockpit environment during the critical phases of flight during approach and landing. The clarity of communications is definitely enhanced by conveying information in textual form. When a pilot sends a message via FBOlink, it incorporates the airplane’s tail number, aircraft type, and his or her name along with a read receipt to confirm the message was received. At the CSR computer terminal, when that message is received, a “pop-up” box will appear alerting the recipient to the FBOlink message. In addition, an integrated colored LED light will flash to annunciate pending messages. The annunciation is programmed to change colors or flash frequency after a predetermined time as de-sired. Messages are posted in chronological order and all CSRs can share the airplane dialog until the airplane has landed.”
Gray and Wilson point to the efficient communications offered by FBOlink as an obvious time and cost saver, as well. “Since it works virtually anywhere and allows flight departments and FBO’s to better manage their customers’ needs, it stream-lines ground operations and turn times, too,” they added.
About Send Solutions
Send Solutions aims to deliver new technology in innovative ways. From military to yachting, these new products will be quickly delivered with excellent results. Using proven startup methodologies and rapid prototyping, Send Solutions delivers accurate representations of customers’ ideas using modern electronics and technology by creating a final product that meets their needs and exceeds their expectations.
Send Solutions’ launch product, Airtext solves the problem of staying connected electronically to business, friends and family without the high cost of a traditional internet option. Airtext allows 16 passengers the ability to send and receive SMS mes-sages anywhere in the world. On the ground or in the air. Using the iridium satellite network, we have designed a product that allows connectivity through your cell phone while on the airplane.
Using new technology BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) found in modern phones, the passengers open a free application loaded on their phone giving them access to Air-text. The hardware consists of a small "paperback" sized FAA-approved Airtext box weighing about 1 pound that is installed on the airplane and connects to the existing iridium phone antenna found on most airplanes.
About WilsonAir
Wilson Air Center’s unique philosophy stems from Kemmons Wilson, founder of Holiday Inns who forever changed the hotel and hospitality industry with his innovative ideas and practices toward customer service.These tenets have been updated and applied at all four Wilson Air Center Fixed Base Operator locations: Memphis Inter-national Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Houston-Hobby Airport, and Chattanooga Lovell Field Airport.
Founded in 1996, Wilson Air Center has been exceeding expectations for over 20 years. Its Memphis location is home of one of the world’s largest aircraft canopies, and is touted by the aviation industry as among the top fixed base operations in the United States for the quality of its services and the comfort and design of its facilities. The company’s Charlotte and Houston facilities care for customers at two of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. with a personal touch that only Wilson Air Center can provide. The newest base in Chattanooga, situated at the base of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, serves the corporate aviation needs of one of the south’s up and coming, 21st century manufacturing cities.
The Wilson Attitude is a philosophy of outstanding service and a commitment to satisfy every aviation need .
For information on demonstrations of Airtext, Fleetlink at NBAA, please contact David Gray at (404)-840-0845 or [email protected].
