Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based FBO and MRO Banyan Air Service (Booth E89) has announced a first-of-its-kind installation of a Gogo Avance L3 Wi-Fi system in a HondaJet Elite, it announced this week at EBACE. The system provides in-flight connectivity for a startup charter business whose ambition is to move into a fleet of HondaJets. The standalone avionics installation was completed in 15 business days, which was actually a day earlier than scheduled, according to Banyan avionics manager Danny Santiago.
A week later, Santiago and his staff were tasked with a hybrid installation of the Gogo Avance product, allowing the customer to upload real-time data and engine trend information. This time it was completed in 11 days, having been quoted for 14 to 15 days. In the next few weeks, both the customer and Banyan avionics techs will be testing the system rigorously. "This kind of data extraction and transmission system could streamline the way engine warranty programs work to maintain warranty coverage," said Santiago.
As an FAA WD4R618M and EASA-certified repair station, Banyan has completed more than 20 Gogo installations to date, including air-to-ground transmission systems and Avance L3 and L5 platforms. The FBO/MRO also holds repair station designations for Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Chile, Mexico, and Venezuela.