Pentastar Aviation's avionics team has completed the first installation of a SmartSky Networks 4G LTE system in a customer's aircraft. The company developed an Approved Model List (AML) STC that now permits SmartSky installations on the Gulfstream GIV-X and GV-SP.

Director of engineering and inside sales Jesse Beard says: “We are excited to partner with SmartSky on this pioneering programme. The project was completed on schedule and allowed our customer to have the first aircraft equipped to fly on the SmartSky 4G LTE air-to-ground network.”

SmartSky's patented 4G LTE beamforming technology delivers fast, secure and affordable in-flight connectivity. Users can access virtual private networks, send and receive email with large attachments, as well as simultaneously call, text and stream video on their wi-fi enabled devices. SmartSky's low latency network enables such applications as video chatting, time-sensitive data transfers, corporate cloud use and multiplayer live gaming.

SmartSky CCO Nancy Walker adds: “Pentastar Aviation is the first of our world-class partners to certify a SmartSky installation on a customer's business jet and we could not be more pleased. It was meticulous in every detail of the process in securing the STC. We look forward to delighting its customers with a 4G LTE inflight experience as Pentastar installs many more of our systems in the near-term and for many years to come.”