EMS Aviation’s Aspire in-flight connectivity system makes European debut

ATLANTA, USA & GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: EMS Aviation, a division of mobile connectivity leader EMS Technologies Inc. announced that its Aspire family of satellite-based in-flight connectivity systems — which includes the new Aspire AirMail portable e-mail product and a color touch screen handset — will make its European debut at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland May 17-19 (booth #1443).

“We are excited to present Aspire in-flight connectivity solutions to the European business jet market at EBACE2011,” said John Jarrell, VP and GM, EMS Aviation. “In-flight connectivity has become an essential element of aircraft operation and our Aspire products’ ease of installation, upgrade and operation make it simple for operators to fly like they live with seamless, global connections.”

The Aspire 200 system recently achieved airworthiness certification and began shipping in North America this spring. The first installation is currently underway on a Hawker 4000 and future installations of the system on a Cessna Sovereign and several other platforms will be completed by the end of the summer.

Designed to deliver feature-rich voice and data connectivity to owners and operators of small- and medium-sized business aircraft, Aspire products utilize standard wiring configuration and interfaces to support either Inmarsat or Iridium components. Users can easily change or upgrade systems without rewiring the aircraft or changing out the avionics racks.

EMS Aviation plans to expand the Aspire product line in phases and additional Supplemental Type Certifications (STCs) for several other aircraft types — including the Bombardier Challenger 300, Cessna Citation XLS/XLS+ and Dassault Falcon 2000 — are also being pursued.

“In addition, EMS has created a high quality aviation-specific handset solution, instead of using more readily available, commercial off-the-shelf components,” said Timothy Roberts, director, Aspire Global Solutions, EMS Aviation.

“Aspire systems enable passengers and crew to make calls that offer the quality of a landline connection. As business aviation’s first Smartphone platform, the Aspire systems also provide added features such as the ability to check e-mail and control many aspects of the cabin management system; all things that, today, have come to be expected while flying.”