Satcom Direct installing Plane Simple on Falcon 2000LX
Satcom Direct has begun installation of its advanced technology tail-mount antenna, Plane Simple, on a second Dassault Falcon 2000LX. The antenna is already equipped on the firm’s Gulfstream G350 and has performed beyond expectation during some 100-plus flights. The addition of the Dassault platform to the validation process will double testing capacity and give direct comparative feedback.
Chris Moore Satcom Direct, president of business aviation, said: “Adding a second platform will serve to further verify the benefits of integrating the new advanced technology antenna with the already proven SD ecosystem of hardware, software and terrestrial infrastructure. Our mission is to analyse the performance and deliver a powerful, reliable, validated, connectivity solution to our early adopter customers.”
“The dual-testing on two very distinct aircraft platforms demonstrates our commitment to providing seamless end-to-end connectivity for a wider selection of aircraft types than ever before. Ahead of in-service evaluation with customers, which is slated to begin Q3 2021, it also provides us with the opportunity to generate our first commercial Supplemental Type Certificate which will support installation for Falcon 2000 owners worldwide.” Further STCs will follow before the end of the year said Satcom.
Installation of the Plane Simple dual variant antenna is taking place at the Dassault Falcon Jet facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. Aerial validation begins in July and will confirm the terminal’s functionality across the Intelsat FlexExec network, stress the system by using simultaneous, multiple high-bandwidth applications, and verifying capabilities all round.
“We are focused on developing products for the business aviation community that have been designed specifically for the unique requirements of the sector. We are not repurposing existing technology but using our experience as business aviators to bring a series of antennas to market that will meet the demanding needs of our business, military and government aviation customers,” added Moore.
