Davinci Jets Services has completed a first-article installation of SmartSky's award-winning LITE system on a Citation CJ4 aircraft. The STC for the CJ4 is expected to be issued in the second quarter.

The project is the fourth SmartSky first-of-type installation completed by Davinci Jets Services, a full-service MRO and FAA Part 135 charter firm operated by North Carolina-based aircraft management firm Davinci Jets. The recent and in-progress installations by Davinci are part of a previously announced agreement to install SmartSky's next-generation inflight connectivity on the majority of the firm's managed fleet by the end of 2024.

Davinci CEO Eric Legvold indicated that following each installation he looks forward to hearing from users who are enjoying SmartSky's continuously connected inflight experience for the first time. "Pilots, owners and passengers are constantly telling us they are astounded by the inflight performance of SmartSky, connecting as many devices as they want without worrying about diminished performance. After so many years of hearing customer complaints about their inflight connectivity, it's gratifying to be able to provide a proven solution and hear this kind of feedback," he says. "More customers are moving through Davinci's pipeline, including both managed and external clients. We have the capacity to increase our pace in order to provide all sizes of business aircraft with the best ATG system upgrade on the market."

SmartSky LITE was recently recognised with an Aviation Week Laureates award in the business aviation category for bringing streaming-level connectivity to smaller business aircraft for the first time. The SmartSky LITE and Flagship systems deliver proven performance for the entire aircraft from business and leisure applications to situational awareness and aircraft health information.

"Davinci's stellar aircraft management and MRO expertise play a crucial role in delivering the best possible flying experience to everyone on board. The flawless execution of the CJ4 installation underscores their high proficiency in SmartSky system upgrades. We look forward to the continued growth of our partnership and its expertise in delivering elevated capabilities to the industry," says Aria Bahawdory, director of MRO account management.

SmartSky continues to aggressively expand its diverse roster of certified airframes, with STCs covering more than 6,000 in-service aircraft and in-progress projects for nearly 10,000 additional tails.