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

SmartSky Networks next-generation air-to-ground (ATG) network provides an unmatched connected experience inflight for both cabin and crew.

With nearly 300 towers installed, SmartSky Networks'&nbsp;air-to-ground (ATG) system is now able to provide high-speed airborne connectivity for 97 percent of business aviation flight routes in the continental U.S., according to CEO Dave Helfgott. The remaining towers to build out the full network of 330 towers are “edge cases” in remote areas, he explained, and include some that will add density to the network.

 


“This is a momentous achievement,” Helfgott said. “Our service brings a new level of connectivity and capability to the business aviation industry that transcends any solution previously available, particularly in the ATG sector.”

 


SmartSky is continually testing its ATG network with three of its own aircraft—a Beechcraft King Air B200, Cessna&nbsp;Citation Excel, and Cessna Skymaster. In addition to the Excel, supplemental type certificates (STCs) are available for installation of the SmartSky system in the Gulfstream GIV/GV and G450/G550 (Pentastar); Bombardier Challenger 601 through 650 (Duncan Aviation); and Embraer EMB-135/145 and&nbsp;Legacy 600/650 (StandardAero).

 


“There are a lot more STCs on the horizon,” said SmartSky president Ryan Stone. “We’re working closely with flyExclusive on their fleet and also Jet It. We’re trying to get all the popular models certified.” SmartSky dealers that develop the STCs will share them under license arrangements so other MRO facilities can install the system, Stone explained.

 


While the current SmartSky airborne hardware is designed for midsize and larger jets, SmartSky is developing the Lite system for smaller aircraft. “We see a lot of demand in the light jet and turboprop market,” Helfgott said.

 


“As we complete entry-into-service,” Stone said, “our initial customers are flying and using the service to send data off the aircraft as easily as they stream it on. In concert, our world-class engineering team is using our software-defined network infrastructure to continuously fine-tune for optimal performance and coverage.”

 


The SmartSky ATG network provides consistent service in the range of 5 to 8 Mbps, although testing has demonstrated maximum speeds up to 15 Mbps. In a flight test last October of the system in SmartSky’s Excel, AIN joined a nearly full load of passengers simultaneously streaming video, making video calls, downloading emails with attachments, and running various software, each with multiple devices online.

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 Network Now Available Nationwide in U.S.

SmartSky's air-to-ground connectivity service is now available in most of the continental U.S., and new STCs are underway.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

In this article

SmartSky Networks

SmartSky Networks

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

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