Flying Colours installs Ka-band on Gulfstream GV
North America-based completions and MRO specialist Flying Colours Corp., has completed its first Ka-band installation on a Gulfstream GV airframe. Installation by the Flying Colours avionics team required the mounting of the radome, tail antenna and cabin hardware to bring powerful connectivity to the cabin and flight-deck. The work, part of a major refurbishment of the cabin interior, and revamp of the fuselage exterior, was completed in July at the Peterborough, ON. headquarters.
The service, supplied through the Honeywell JetWave™ system, is powered by Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellite constellation to deliver ultra-high-speed broadband connectivity to the aircraft. Web-surfing, voice calls and texting, the use of messaging apps, email exchange, gaming, streaming television and video services are now available throughout the cabin. Onboard hardware serves data via the WiFi system to multiple personal devices carried on board, as well as the aircraft’s own cabin management and inflight entertainment systems which were also upgraded as part of the major refurbishment project.
Rockwell Collins Venue™ revitalises cabin management system
Existing controls, screens and operating systems were also switched out and replaced with the Rockwell Collins Venue™ CMS. High-clarity touchscreen displays, intuitive controls and seamless integration into monuments enables optimal management of the cabin environment, ambience, communications and entertainment. Cabin-crew and passengers can now control mood lighting, cabin temperature, or music choices, as well as view Airshow® moving maps or box office movies from the convenience of their own smart devices. The future proofed system architecture will also support new technologies as they come online.
“We knew this client was going to be regularly flying international routes and needed a robust connectivity solution, as well as a sophisticated CMS/IFE to effectively manage the passengers on-board experience. Both systems were the most logical choice to fit the aircraft’s demanding missions and customer expectations,” said Kevin Kliethermes, director of sales for Flying Colours. “Passengers increasingly want to replicate their terrestrial digital lifestyle, entertainment and communication options in the air. Ka-band, more sophisticated CMS and a growing array of satellite services make this possible. We anticipate we will be carrying out many more installations like this one across a range of airframes over the next twelve months,” said Kliethermes.
