FORT ATKINSON, Wis., - On-board connectivity on business jets is increasingly necessary for business aircraft operators in order to be competitive; indeed, there are multiple options available for onboard Wi-Fi installations. In this article, we review repair processes and what to expect for the future of connectivity, Mario Peirobon reports for AviationPros. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
13 September 2023 - Inflight Wi-Fi can be installed as a component on a new aircraft or at an MRO facility in an aftermarket upgrade, explains Harry Shadbolt, global partner director for Viasat’s recently acquired Inmarsat business. “On a new aircraft, the airframe original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is responsible for both installation and verification prior to delivery to the end customer. Each OEM will have written test procedures that they will follow as part of the formal aircraft delivery process,” he says. “MRO testing is a similar process to OEM line-fitting, but it is typically performed alongside the aircraft owner’s selected value-added reseller (VAR), a team that will also manage the customer’s Wi-Fi subscription service.”
In both cases, the Wi-Fi system will be tested when the terminal first connects to the satellite. For testing, a range of onboard devices will access multiple internet sites at once and the user experience will be observed, according to Shadbolt. “Both the VARs and OEMs can also access specific technical diagnostic tools to quantify specific aspects of the satellite connection and its performance. When it comes to troubleshooting a system that’s operating inefficiently, or not at all, the operator will firstly contact their VAR service provider, who will take them through a series of troubleshooting steps, and if required, facilitate the repair or replacement of the terminal,” he says.
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Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
