Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

SmartSky Networks filed a patent infringement lawsuit and is seeking a preliminary injunction to block Gogo Business Aviation from rolling out its 5G service. The lawsuit marks the latest turn in the disputes between SmartSky and Gogo, and another legal entanglement for the Morrisville, North Carolina-based developer of its own 5G network.

 


The SmartSky lawsuit alleges that Gogo is infringing on patents surrounding beamforming handoff, unlicensed band beamforming handoff, horizon-oriented architecture, and harmonious spectrum reuse, the company said. SmartSky additionally filed a motion for a preliminary injunction seeking to halt Gogo from making, using, or selling its 5G service while the patent lawsuit makes its way through the courts.

 


SmartSky is alleging that Gogo was unable to acquire more licensed spectrum and then “abruptly changed course and copied SmartSky’s patented approach of using unlicensed spectrum.”

 


"It's now clear that Gogo is openly using our patented technology to mimic the service we launched last year in an effort to maintain its virtual monopoly for inflight connectivity," said SmartSky president Ryan Stone. "After Gogo lost its preemptive 2020 validity challenge to one of our now asserted patents, rather than take the high road, it instead brazenly proceeded with its Gogo 5G plans.&nbsp;Gogo is unlawfully attempting to use SmartSky's own inventions to stifle SmartSky's ability to enter the market and compete."

 


Gogo responded that it has “previously completed a thorough review of SmartSky’s patent portfolio, including each of the four patents at issue in the complaint, with support from its engineering team and outside patent counsel. Based on that review, Gogo believes that SmartSky’s claims are entirely without merit.”

 


The Broomfield, Colorado connectivity provider added it intends “to vigorously defend itself against these allegations and remains committed to an on-time rollout of its 5G platform later this year.”

 


In 2020, Gogo was rebuffed in its own challenge against SmartSky filed before the U.S Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). That challenge&nbsp;covered beamforming and seamless cell tower handoff technology.

 


The USPTO declined to review the patent, saying Gogo “has not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of...demonstrating that at least one challenged claim” among the 20 claims against the patent would prevail.

 


Gogo had responded that it disagreed with the decision but stressed that “neither the PTO’s decision nor SmartSky’s patent portfolio in any way impairs our ability to continue to successfully expand, to launch Gogo 5G, or to enhance our position in the business aviation market.”

 


In early January, Gogo announced that it completed construction of its seven-tower 5G testbed by Dec. 31, 2021, and that it planned deployment of additional sites in upcoming months in preparation for the launch of its 5G service in the second half of the year.

 


SmartSky Networks, meanwhile, has been building out its sales and installer network and increasing its air-to-ground coverage with plans to have its footprint across the Continental U.S. in the first half of this year.

 


In addition to Gogo, SmartSky prevailed in an arbitration award against a major vendor, Wireless Systems Solutions (WSS), surrounding misappropriation of intellectual property and failure to perform. WSS had&nbsp;asked the courts to vacate the decision but it was upheld by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina on February 7.

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.

SmartSky Turns To Courts To Block Gogo's 5G Service

SmartSky has filed a patent lawsuit and for a preliminary injunction to halt Gogo's rollout of its 5G service this year.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

Flight-tracking service is available for display on passengers' devices

FlightPath3D and Gogo Extend Bizav Partnership

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.

Zeiss Microoptics Brings New Display Tech to Aircraft Cabin, Cockpit

Charles Alcock

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

ProSight technology is being demonstrated at the Farnborough Airshow

Zeiss Debuts New Approach to Cockpit and Cabin Displays 

Expands company’s offerings for high-speed, global connectivity

Pro Star Delivers G280 Gogo Galileo Satcom Installation

New service plans distinguish between a single area and global coverage

Starlink Doubles Aviation Prices, Adds Region Boundaries

Amy Wilder

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.

More In Cabin Interior and Electronics

FlightPath3D and Gogo Extend Bizav Partnership

Flight-tracking service is available for display on passengers' devices

Zeiss Microoptics Brings New Display Tech to Aircraft Cabin, Cockpit

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

Zeiss Debuts New Approach to Cockpit and Cabin Displays

ProSight technology is being demonstrated at the Farnborough Airshow

Pro Star Delivers G280 Gogo Galileo Satcom Installation

Expands company’s offerings for high-speed, global connectivity

Starlink Doubles Aviation Prices, Adds Region Boundaries

New service plans distinguish between a single area and global coverage

Jet Access Maintenance Earns Starlink Dealer Status

Services span three locations in Indianapolis, Nashville, and West Palm Beach

Gogo Galileo Now Available for Gulfstream G650/G650ER

HDX antenna installed under the tail-mounted radome

Gogo Galileo Satcom Now Factory Option on Pilatus PC-24

System is FAA- and EASA-certified

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN