Hampton Aviation, a heavy structural repair, inspections and modifications facility located at Mena Intermountain Municipal airport in Arkansas, has joined the network of Avidyne authorised dealers and installers.

Avidyne is a leading provider of integrated avionics systems, flight displays and safety systems for general aviation, business jets and turboprops including helicopters. As an authorised dealer, Hampton will have the opportunity to provide an affordable yet capable retrofit option for its King Air, civilian, military and government customers. Avidyne's upgrade package includes the complete suite of its panel-mount IFD FMS/GPS/NAV/COMs, plus AMX 340/322 Mode S ADS-B Out transponders, AMX240 audio panel and more, including the highly anticipated Avidyne Atlas, Avidyne's dzus-mount multifunction flight management system, which will be available this year.

“We're thrilled to be part of the Avidyne family and expand to our customers' numerous new panel options. Avidyne products fit right into the King Air marketplace,” says Tom Canavera, sales and marketing manager for Hampton Aviation.

“We are really excited to be working with Hampton Aviation as a premier Avidyne authorised dealer,” adds Dan Reida, Avidyne's director of business aviation. “Hampton brings a unique skillset to our dealer network with an incredible reputation for exceptional service. We are truly looking forward to this partnership.”

Hampton Aviation has also joined the Airtext network of authorised dealers and installers.

Airtext eases the problem of staying connected electronically to business, friends and family without the high cost of a traditional internet option. Airtext allows 16 passengers the ability to send and receive SMS messages anywhere in the world for five cents on the ground or in the air. With the flagship Airtext Plus unit, users can add email and voice capabilities to their aircraft. Using the Iridium Next satellite network, AirText has designed a product that allows connectivity through the user's cell phone while on the airplane. In addition to communications, Airtext offers cabin moving map solutions for any size of aircraft.

“We continues to service our King Air customers by becoming an AirText dealer,” states Canavera. “This affordable text, voice and moving map solution is perfect for our King Air owners and operators.”

Using new BLE (Bluetooth low energy) technology found in modern phones, the passengers open a free application loaded on their phone, giving them access to Airtext. The hardware consists of a small “paperback” sized FAA-approved Airtext box weighing about one pound that is installed on the airplane and connects to the existing iridium phone antenna found on most airplanes.

“We are very excited to add Hampton Aviation as a dealer of the Airtext connectivity solution. Its knowledge and expertise on Kings Airs fits perfectly with our product as we work to expand our customer base,” comments Jonathan Pinson, general manager, Send Solutions.