Cessna has confirmed it will offer AirCell’s new Axxess satellite communications system as a factory option on the Citation X, XLS and Sovereign business jets. Axxess was launched at last month’s National Business Aviation Association show, and will be commercially available from mid-January.
The basic Axxess system provides two Iridium satcom channels for voice and narrowband data, with expansion ports for two more channels, plus an Ethernet port that allows an Inmarsat broadband connection to be plugged in.
“An operator can equip an aircraft with Axxess and then easily add capabilities and even change networks to take advantage of new technologies,” says AirCell chief executive Jack Blumenstein. Wireless and broadband capability is to be available from the second quarter of next year.
Axxess will be available on Citations beginning in the third quarter, offering an affordable worldwide dual-channel airborne telephone capability using Iridium and providing a “high degree of confidence” in future expansion of the system, says Cessna.
Source: Flight International
