Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Inmarsat recently completed a successful around-the-world test flight of Global Xpress, the company's satellite-based Ka-band, high-speed broadband network, the company announced today. The exercise, conducted on a Gulfstream GIV between June 5 and June 11, covered more than 25,000 miles and demonstrated that Global Xpress can deliver "seamless, worldwide coverage" across multiple spot beams and satellites."

 


“While government and business users have historically had to manipulate flight plans to avoid gaps in coverage and performance, the test flight enjoyed complete flexibility in route selection,” Inmarsat said. The flight route spanned the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, beginning in the U.S. with stops in the UK, UAE, Thailand, Australia and Fiji.

 


According to Inmarsat, the GIV was outfitted with a Honeywell tail-mount antenna, which has a “committed rate” of 4 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload, but is capable of more than 15 Mbps. “Uniform coverage and service was delivered to the aircraft as it moved across 28 beams with handovers that went unnoticed by users; and three satellite-to-satellite handovers that were accomplished seamlessly,” the company said.

 


During the flight, Global Xpress supported voice, data and streaming applications such as video teleconferencing, high-speed internet access and file transfer, VPN and phone calls. Inmarsat said it “fully delivered or exceeded the committed information rate.”

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.

GIV Flight Proves Global Xpress Worldwide Coverage

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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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.

The German company is taking a new approach to aerospace display technology.

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Charles Alcock

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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HDX antenna installed under the tail-mounted radome

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