StandardAero has been awarded a supplemental type certificate by the FAA for multiple Embraer aircraft models via its organisation designation authorisation (ODA). The MRO provider and SmartSky installation and distribution partner can now complete SmartSky 4G LTE installations on the Embraer ERJ135/140/145 regional jet series and its Legacy 600/650 business aircraft variant.

“This allows a significant section of the aviation community to access SmartSky's affordable and secure inflight connectivity solution,” says StandardAero certification services director John Miedwig. “The demand for a more compelling user experience is driving our customers to new IFC networks and services like those SmartSky has demonstrated to the marketplace.”

StandardAero will perform Embraer installations at its business aviation service locations at Augusta, Georgia; Houston, Texas; and Springfield, Illinois. The company is also working on additional SmartSky business aviation STCs for the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 aircraft, as well as for the Dassault Falcon 7X, 8X and 50EX.

“Customers benefit greatly from StandardAero's expertise in STC certification,” says SmartSky Networks chief commercial officer Nancy Walker. “Maintaining exceptionally high safety standards while designing the STC to minimise installation time makes a significant, positive impact on customers' schedules. StandardAero's well-earned reputation, honed over 100 years, exemplifies the strength of SmartSky's partner and distribution network.”

StandardAero also provides a variety of other avionics capabilities. In addition to completing upgrades for the upcoming ADS-B Out deadline, the company is a well-established ODA and has years of experience in the aviation certification process.

SmartSky says its real-time system provides over 10 times the speed of legacy airborne connections. The ground-based components of the system are being deployed throughout the contiguous United States using a mix of 4G LTE and emerging 5G technologies, similar to some of the recent improvements in terrestrial cellular networks. SmartSky recently closed a $104m round of funding, pushing its total funding to date close to $350 million, and plans to launch its service later this year.