Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Inmarsat is introducing the Elera L-band satellite network and partnering with Honeywell to supply the associated airborne equipment for the SwiftJet satcom service. Elera expands Inmarsat’s L-band capability from its SwiftBroadband service, which was introduced in 2008 and now serves&nbsp;about 4,500 customers.

 


SwiftBroadband offers system speeds of up to 432 kbps, while SwiftJet-equipped aircraft will be able to tap into speeds of up to 2.6 Mbps, allowing full email, web browsing, and video streaming services. Like SwiftBroadband, Elera will also be safety services-certified, according to Kai Tang, Inmarsat's senior v-p and head of business and general aviation. “The move to megabits per second is a big move,” he added.

 


Existing SwiftBroadband customers will be able to upgrade their airborne equipment by replacing a circuit card or an avionics box&nbsp;without changing wiring or the satcom antenna, making SwiftJet installations far simpler and less costly. Inmarsat will continue to support SwiftBroadband users, Tang said.

 


Launch of Elera service is scheduled for 2023, and the network will be further enhanced as Inmarsat adds two I-6 satellites next year. These will support SwiftJet users through the 2030s, as well as be part of Inmarsat’s Orchestra dynamic mesh network. Orchestra taps into geosynchronous and low-earth-orbit satellites and&nbsp;terrestrial 5G cellular to provide communications services.

 


The 5G portion could be used, for example, to serve communications needs for maritime customers when ships are near shore, freeing up bandwidth on the satellite networks for airborne users. Orchestra will automatically switch between those networks to provide the optimal experience for users, according to Tang.

 


In the next few years, Inmarsat will launch a pair of satellites in highly elliptical orbits to provide full coverage over the earth’s polar regions.

 


Upcoming Inmarsat developments include faster speeds and more creative service plans for its JetConneX satcom, which is installed in 1,200 aircraft. “We’re testing at 130 to 140 Mbps,” Tang said.

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.

Inmarsat, Honeywell Launch SwiftJet L-band Satcom

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2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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 concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

EBACE 2022

More In Cabin Interior and Electronics

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In London, Gulfstream Clients Get Closer to Design Process

High-net-worth individuals from around the world spend time in the UK capital

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Satcom Direct integration boosts revenue and EBITDA

Viasat JetXP Satcom Sees Strong Uptake Since ‘24 Launch

Broadband service operates on geostationary orbit satellite network

FAA Grants PMA for Gogo Galileo FDX Antenna

Antenna optimized for multi-user broadband cabins

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