Manufacturer approves broadband system for its GV business jet and aims to offer service on competitors' aircraft
Gulfstream has certificated its Broad Band Multi-Link (BBML) system on the GV as it continues to roll out the high-speed in-flight internet service across its large-cabin business jets. The cabin communications system is already certificated for retrofit on the GIV, and approval for installation in the G550 and G500 is expected by year-end and by the first quarter of next year on the G450 and G350.
BBML uses Arinc's SkyLink Ku-band satellite-communications service. Gulfstream will begin system installations pending granting of Arinc's final service licence by the US Federal Communications Commission, which is expected in the second quarter of next year. SkyLink is available initially over the USA, with service over the North Atlantic, Europe and Middle East planned for next year and for 2006 over the Pacific.
In addition to equipping its own aircraft, Gulfstream plans to offer the system to operators of other manufacturers' business jets, performing installations at its General Dynamics Aviation Services maintenance centres. Rockwell Collins is developing the competing eXchange service, using Connexion by Boeing, which will be certificated first on the Bombardier Global business jet family next year.
The broadband communications service uses a tail-mounted Ku-band satcom antenna, Gulfstream-developed onboard servers and a wireless local-area network in the cabin. SkyLink can download at data speeds up to 3.5Mb/s, and Gulfstream is guaranteeing BBML users 512Kb/s on to the aircraft.
Initially the system costs $750,000 in a new aircraft, but this will drop to $670,000 when Gulfstream certificates a new Ku-band antenna from Chelton Systems. Retrofits will cost $700,000-800,000, says Gulfstream.
Chelton says its HGA-6000 has the smallest swept volume of any available Ku-band antenna, allowing installation in fintop radomes that now can accommodate only a single Inmarsat satcom antenna. The design also provides the minimum Ku-band blockage, the company says, allowing it to be co-located with another broadband communications antenna.
* Gulfstream has received European Aviation Safety Agency certification for the G450 long-range business jet.
GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
