EMS Aviation has introduced a new family of airborne communication systems designed to deliver feature-rich connectivity to owners and operators of small and medium-sized business aircraft.
The US company calls its ‘Aspire’ family of flexible, innovative Iridium and Inmarsat voice and data systems a, “revolution in airborne connectivity”. With in-flight connectivity increasingly becoming an essential element of business aircraft operations, EMS Aviation General Manager Nim Evatt says the Aspire product range offers operators an easy upgrade path and customised bandwidth that will grow with their needs and offer seamless, global inflight connections.
The Aspire systems will offer various services from voice and/or data to high-speed internet, while also providing flexible installation and customisable capabilities and bandwidth.
Key to Aspire’s flexibility is a standard wiring configuration and interfaces that support either Iridium or Inmarsat components. These features allow owners and operators to easily change or upgrade systems without rewiring. And for airframe manufacturers it provides the ability to wire an aircraft early in the production process without having to commit to a specific system until much later.
With a number of aircraft owners expressing interest, the first Aspire offering will be the Aspire 200 LG connectivity system, which will be installed on a Cessna Citation Sovereign. The Aspire 200 LG system is an Inmarsat cabin solution that offers voice and data connectivity through one channel of SwiftBroadband (SB200) service. With a high-gain antenna, the system also supports automatic switching to Swift 64 services.
“Our innovative corded and wireless color touchscreen handset options represent a first in the business aviation industry,” Evatt said. “Passengers and crew can use the handset to make calls and check email, but it is also designed to allow users to add applications that will allow them to control many aspects of the cabin environment, like diming the lights or turning on an entertainment system.”
EMS says it will introduce its Aspire product line in phases, with the Aspire 200 LG system being released to market from Decemeber. To find out more about the Aspire products click here.
The components of the Aspire 200 LG system. (EMS Aviation)
