We are proud to announce the commercial service introduction of FlexExec as part of our SD Xperience portfolio. The first high-speed, managed, end-to-end broadband service designed specifically for the business aviation sector is now being commercially delivered in partnership with Intelsat and Astronics AeroSat. At service introduction, four aircraft types are utilizing the system including a Dassault Falcon 7X and three Gulfstream models, GIV, G450 and G550. In addition to the customer aircraft testing the service, we performed global network validation with our Gulfstream GIV, making this the first business aviation connectivity offering to undergo global beta testing prior to commercial service introduction.
In the words of our customer, Mark Gardner, Crew Chief and Client Account Maintenance Manager for Meridian Air Charter, one of the FlexExec in-service evaluation operators, “SD Xperience, combined with the FlexExec service, provides a much-needed, flexible connectivity option that we know delivers a high-performance, global, reliable service. Passengers expect constant connectivity and now we can deliver this while simultaneously enhancing the management of our dynamic operations through the real-time visibility delivered by SD Pro. We’re excited to be one of the first to maximize the new service. It is an invaluable and welcome solution to the complexity of fulfilling customer expectations, improving efficiencies, and managing operational costs.”
Significantly, the new service gives business aviation operators the ability to budget hourly connectivity rates for the first time ever. The “Power-by-the-Hour” plan, only available through the SD Xperience portfolio, provides clients with greater flexibility to plan for maintenance and down time. The hourly rate is inclusive of the full ecosystem of SD services, meaning cabin connectivity, datalink, scheduling, cybersecurity, post-flight reporting, and more are all included on a single consolidated monthly invoice. As well as maximizing operating budgets, SD Xperience synchronizes aircraft with flight operations through its integrated software, hardware, and connectivity.
The service is powered by Intelsat’s global Ku-band satellite fleet using the Intelsat EpicNG high-throughput satellite (HTS) platform with layers of inbuilt redundancy. Uniquely, customers are not subject to data speed caps as consistent delivery of up to 10Mbps into the cabin, and 2Mbps out, gives enough bandwidth to support streaming, large file transfers, and video conferencing on multiple Wi-Fi devices simultaneously. Consistent delivery is augmented by the secure SD network infrastructure consisting of the SD Data Center and global Points of Presence (POPs) around the world.
As the Master Distributor of the FlexExec service, usage is also supported via the SD Xperience end-to-end business infrastructure, and the FlexExec service is integrated with SD’s support team who are available for activation, provisioning, and troubleshooting 24/7, 365 days a year ensuring bandwidth is available wherever you are flying. The network architecture is delivered to aircraft via the AeroSat FliteStream™ (T-310) tail-mounted antenna system. The system is initially available for aftermarket aircraft, and installations are offered through approved service centers.