SkyTrac Systems and the Mecaer Aviation Group (MAG) have completed an FAA and Transport Canada certified AW139 STC for the SDL-350. Both companies worked together to complete flight testing, installation and certification of the SDL-350 device on the AW139 belonging to a VIP client of MAG. The certification of the SDL-350 on the AW139 is one of the first STCs SkyTrac has completed for the SDL-350. Due to the diverse nature of this aircraft type, this STC will allow current and future SkyTrac AW139 clients to utilise Certus broadband connectivity to meet all operational requirements.

"As one of the first integrators of the SDL-350, the Mecaer Aviation Group is glad to have been able to assist in completing this STC with SkyTrac," says MAG sales manager, corporate aircraft Daren Humphries. "Helping to certify the SDL-350 will enable our client to have the highest bandwidth connectivity available on the market to access all of the capabilities they require inflight."

The SDL-350 is being utilised by MAG's IFE inflight entertainment and connectivity system, which boasts full in-house design of software, system architecture, functions and graphics interface.

"We are excited to have completed the AW139 STC alongside the Mecaer Aviation Group," adds SkyTrace regional business manager Luke Billington. "As one of the first STCs for the SDL-350, this milestone will allow us to continue serving the helicopter industry with the leading intelligent connectivity solutions for which SkyTrac is known."

With up to 704Kbps uplink speeds, the SDL-350 provides leading Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity and speeds that enable operators to take advantage of a host of mission-critical capabilities. As a multifunctional system, the SDL-350 enables various mission services, including satellite and cellular connectivity for cabin and crew, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) communications, automated post-flight data offloading, real-time video downlinking, VoIP communications, satellite push-to-talk, flight data monitoring and more.

With multiple launch customers, the SDL-350 is poised to benefit nearly all aviation segments, from search and rescue to business aviation. As a result, the SDL-350 has more STCs in development across these various segments set to be completed this year.