Nebraska-headquartered MRO Duncan Aviation has received FAA approval for a supplemental type certificate that will allow installation of SmartSky's air-to-ground connectivity system for Challenger 601, 604, 605 and 650 aircraft. SmartSky's network brings new, high-performance wi-fi to business aircraft, powered by a mix of advanced 4G LTE and 5G technologies.

Among the many engineering services Duncan Aviation provided, certification coordinator Russ Kromberg worked extensively with SmartSky's technical team regarding the optimal placement of the antennas so passengers will experience the best possible in-cabin speeds and connections.

Multiple passengers will now have simultaneous access to an enhanced user experience in the air, enabling them to hold in-flight conference calls, VPN into the office, stream movies, compete in online games and easily upload/download content during their flights.

“We are working on STCs for several additional makes and models for the SmartSky equipment,” says Kromberg. “Those STCs, slated for completion in 2020, are for the Challenger 300, Learjet 45, and Falcon 900 and 2000.”

“Duncan Aviation is an exceptional, visionary partner who knew exactly what its customers wanted and provided critical input for our design requirements,” adds SmartSky chairman and CEO Haynes Griffin. “Our system meets or exceeds that high bar Duncan Aviation helped set, giving customers the internet speed they've long demanded using SmartSky's patented bi-directional, low-latency network.”