SmartSky sales and installation partner Banyan Air Service is completing the first of type installation of the SmartSky LITE system on a HA-420 HondaJet. The project supports the recent deal with Volato to equip its HondaJet fractional fleet of 20 new aircraft and paves the way for other in-service HondaJets to have SmartSky's next-generation connectivity system.

Banyan is an authorised HondaJet service centre and will complete the installation at its Fort Lauderdale Executive airport facility.

"This exciting installation project makes the groundbreaking technology pioneered by SmartSky available for Volato. It is especially exciting because SmartSky LITE brings streaming-level, no-device-limits connectivity to light jets for the first time ever. This will elevate the flying experience for owners and operators of this class of aircraft who are seeking a high performing, streaming-capable, in flight ATG connectivity solution for light jets like the HA420," says Banyan director of avionics Danny Santiago.

The two companies also recently signed a strategic agreement for Banyan to provide full-scale maintenance for the HondaJet fleet on-site at Volato's primary operational base in St Augustine, Florida.

"Volato is hyper-focused on delivering the best possible customer experience. With the addition of SmartSky technology to our HondaJet floating fleet, our customers will be able to livestream sports, make video calls, send large documents and connect as they desire," says COO Mike Pracher.

Many more SmartSky installations and STC projects are scheduled and in progress.

"The SmartSky team is proud to continue to work with Banyan on pivotal projects like this one, which will bring unprecedented connectivity performance to Volato customers, thanks to the fantastic cooperative efforts of the Banyan team and SmartSky MRO account manager Chris Buff. This project makes SmartSky available to more travellers at a time when uninterrupted connectivity inflight is imperative. It also provides owners faced with upgrading their soon-to-be obsolete legacy ATG system a significantly better option to consider," adds Rich Pilock, vice president of connectivity sales for SmartSky Networks.