Press Release

Issued by Thales.

May 16, 2011

Since its EBACE 2010 debut, Thrane & Thrane AVIATOR has helped to realise the potential of 'the office-in-the-sky'

In the year since its introduction at EBACE 2010, Thrane & Thrane's AVIATOR portfolio of SwiftBroadband systems has quickly become recognised at the forefront of innovation and technological development within business aviation communications. The AVIATOR portfolio replaced the previous 'Aero SB' product line, and provides the bizjet industry with high quality, fast and reliable in-flight connectivity for a wide variety of aircraft. Thrane & Thrane is excited about returning to EBACE to show just how the product family is making the concept of the office-in-the-sky a real possibility.

"Since its introduction last year the AVIATOR product name has had an extremely positive impact, generating very high levels of interest across the global business aviation market. The branding is more closely aligned with our SAILOR® and EXPLORER® product family names for maritime and land mobile use, reflecting the environment our SwiftBroadband systems are used in which has strengthened understanding and definition of each product's functionality within the market," comments Kim Gram, Vice President, Aeronautical Business Unit, Thrane & Thrane.

Offering a solution to meet a wide range of customer needs in terms of bandwidth, equipment size and budget, Thrane & Thrane's AVIATOR SwiftBroadband portfolio supports the use of Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband service aboard the widest range of aircraft possible. The full range includes the AVIATOR 700 and AVIATOR 350 High Gain Antenna (HGA) options, AVIATOR 300 with Intermediate Gain Antenna (IGA) as well as the exceptionally compact and lightweight AVIATOR 200 Low Gain Antenna (LGA), which is the first SwiftBroadband 200 system to be fully approved for use aboard leading bizjets having already received STCs for Beechcraft King Air 200, Cessna 500 – 560XL and Citation 525/525A aircraft types.

"Since EBACE 2010 we have seen a breakthrough in the use of data and voice communications aboard a significantly wider range of aircraft as owners and operators have begun to realise the value of connectivity even for short flights. Previously, aircraft would have to be flying for 3-4 hours for satcom to be a consideration, but in today's market users are demanding connectivity for flights as short as 30 minutes. This has been a very powerful development which has greatly contributed to the success of our AVIATOR portfolio," adds Gram.

Another key trend gripping the business aviation market has been the shift towards wireless connectivity to support the use of Wi-Fi™ enabled devices such as smart phones and tablets. This is yet more good news for AVIATOR users as the entire portfolio features built-in Wi-Fi capability and has been approved to offer wireless connectivity aboard.

Gram concludes: "As always, developments on land have influenced the business aviation sector and the trend for Wi-Fi to support technology such as iPads®, iPhones®, Blackberrys® has been fundamental, with many executives seeking to continue use of their devices during the flight. Our AVIATOR portfolio has been certified for use with Wi-Fi so users can take advantage of the extensive range of office-in-the-sky capabilities made possible by the service. With the AVIATOR product line becoming increasingly more comprehensive, we are strongly positioned to support upcoming trends with a multitude of modern communications capabilities available to the broadest range of aircraft possible."

For further information about Thrane & Thrane and its cutting-edge satellite communications products please visit the company at stand 979 during EBACE, Geneva, 17 – 19 May 2011. Alternatively, visit www.thrane.com.