Wabnet’s Aviator Wifi Offers Low-cost Satcom

For owners and operators of smaller jets and turboprops, the choices for airborne connectivity systems are extremely limited. While cost is certainly an issue, there is also the problem of no space on the fuselage to accommodate the larger antennas needed for high-speed satcom systems. At last year’s NBAA convention, Wabnet unveiled its Aviator Wifi solution, a single-box Iridium satcom and Wi-Fi router that can be installed outside the pressure vessel as a minor modification in aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds (5,700 kg). Here at the EBACE show, Wabnet is planning to give live demonstrations of Aviator Wifi.

The ideal aircraft for Aviator Wifi, according to Wabnet co-founder and CEO Yves Hendrickx, are King Airs, Citations, the HondaJet, Premier I/IA, etc. Aviator Wifi is compliant with RTCA DO-160 standards and certified up to 50,000 feet. A typical installation is in the nose compartment behind the radar dish. The unit requires 28-volt power and an Iridium antenna, which can be mounted inside the electromagnetically transparent radome. Airplanes with composite fuselages such as the HondaJet and Premier I/IA could have the unit and antenna mounted inside the fuselage, Hendrickx said. Aviator Wifi can also be plugged into an existing externally mounted Iridium antenna. Wi-Fi range is about 200 feet, so the router can serve everyone on board the aircraft.  

An advantage of Iridium satcom is that it works anywhere in the world, unlike Inmarsat systems that don’t offer coverage over the poles. Iridium is limited in bandwidth, offering speed of up to 2.4 Kbps, which allows voice calling, texting and emailing without attachments. Aviator Wifi offers one voice call and simultaneous messaging with up to five users at a time. Passengers and pilots access the service using their mobile devices, either iOS or Android, which act as satcom terminals, according to Hendrickx. A jet like the Citation CJ series could accommodate two Aviator Wifi units, which would provide two phone lines and allow up to 10 users. The system includes an airborne wireless telephone transfer switch, which allows transferring of calls between the five users, using their own mobile devices and contact lists.

Aviator Wifi will be upgradeable by adding a circuit card to work with Iridium’s Next service, which will offer much faster service—up to one Mbps—starting in 2018. In mid-2017, Aviator Wifi will enable delivery of worldwide weather information, and this will be included in the unlimited data.

Installers are also STCing Aviator Wifi in larger aircraft, including a Lockheed C-130 and Embraer ERJ145, Hendrickx said. 

Aviator Wifi sells for $17,650, including the antenna. Airtime costs $165 per month, which includes 2.5 hours of voice calling and unlimited data. Additional voice time costs $1.30 per minute. In Europe, buyers can opt for a lease program, which costs $500 per month, plus airtime.