A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

GDC Group is progressing on a number of supplemental type certificates (STCs) for Honeywell’s Ka-Band JetWave hardware on various VIP Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The company anticipates the first batch of STCs to be completed early next year to cover the Boeing 747-300/400, 777-200/300, Boeing Business Jet, BBJ 2, BBJ 3 and the Airbus ACJ319/320 (Airbus Corporate Jets). A second batch covering the Airbus A330/340 is anticipated in the third quarter of 2017.

 

 


The STCs will enable operators to use the JetWave Ka-Band service that will offer seamless global coverage and enable HDTV live streaming, advanced in-flight entertainment and office options, voice over internet protocol telephony and VPN, among other capabilities.

 


The installations and STCs combine the expertise and capabilities of the company’s GDC Technics completions facility in Fort Worth, Texas, and its GDC Engineering unit, formed through its late-2014 acquisition of Munich, Germany-based PFW Engineering Group.

 


Since that acquisition GDC has unveiled a new “Engineering the Impossible” strategy and invested $30 million in developing an array of new technologies for cabin interiors.

 


For the JetWave STCs, GDC Technics is installing the equipment and conducting final ground and flight tests, while its GDC Engineering unit is handling engineering and certification.

 


“Through the integration of the latest in-flight connectivity capabilities, GDC continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation,” said Mohammed Alzeer, general partner of GDC Technics. “This game-changing technology allows operators to experience the long-anticipated convenience of in-flight connectivity that is as good as at-home and in-office features.” Noting that GDC Technologies signed an agreement in November 2014 to develop JetWave STCs on both Airbus and Boeing platforms, Alzeer added, “Now we are on our way to fulfill our commitment to aircraft owners and to Honeywell.”

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

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