Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

The FAA has granted a supplemental type certificate&nbsp;(STC) to SmartSky Networks for installation of the company’s Flagship air-to-ground connectivity system on a&nbsp;Dassault Falcon&nbsp;2000EX. Installation partner&nbsp;West Star Aviation&nbsp;performed the work at its facility in Grand Junction, Colorado, and Liberty Partners&nbsp;provided engineering support starting on February 3. The aircraft arrived for service at West Star in March and the company completed the first-of-type installation and unrelated planned maintenance in just over a month, followed by a return to service in mid-April. The FAA granted the STC on April 28, meaning the project took three months.
“SmartSky was a great company to work with on this STC effort,” said West Star Aviation avionics sales manager Aaron Berg. “The coordination between West Star, SmartSky, and Liberty partners was excellent, and we are pleased to be part of enabling all Falcon 2000-series aircraft models to upgrade to SmartSky’s groundbreaking new technology.”
Berg added that the system’s high-bandwidth and low-latency performance allows continuous data transfer to and from the aircraft, powering inflight use for such activities as live streaming, videoconferencing, and gaming.
SmartSky’s two-way data flow went on display during the jet’s return-to-service flight from Colorado to the Bahamas, when passengers used seven gigabytes&nbsp;of data in just over three hours, downloading more than three gigabytes and uploading nearly four gigabytes.

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

SmartSky Wins STC for Flagship System on Falcon 2000EX

West Star Aviation has installed SmartSky’s Flagship air-to-ground connectivity system on a Dassault Falcon 2000EX.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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Billund, Denmark-based company will also offer dealer coordination for European customers

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AIN readers rate avionics, cabin management, and airborne connectivity manufacturers

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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.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Experts gather to discuss the problems and solutions surrounding GNSS interference

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Product enables aircraft to work together with no need for satcom or cellular communications

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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.

New release adds missed approach climb gradient table and climb gradient values on departure procedures

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Charles Alcock

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.

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