The FAA has approved the installation and use of Viasat’s Ka-band in-flight connectivity (IFC) business aviation system on the Dassault Falcon 7X and 8X, the Carlsbad, California-based global communications company announced today.
Viasat’s Global Aero Terminal 5510, the hardware kit that makes the IFC possible, communicates with Viasat’s Ka-band satellite network that covers more than 90 percent of business aircraft flight routes. The kit also will be forward compatible with the company’s next-generation ViaSat 3 constellation. The system typically delivers speeds greater than 20 Mbps—suitable for videoconferencing, streaming video, and corporate VPN access—though some operators have reported speeds greater than 80 Mbps.
“The combination of our high-capacity satellite network and our compact and lightweight hardware allow us to offer incredible speeds,” said Viasat business area director of business aviation Claudio D'Amico. “Our service offers our fastest, most robust business aviation in-flight connectivity solution and supports business-critical productivity capabilities and other data-rich applications while in-flight.”
Installation of the system is available at Dassault-owned service centers. “Dassault Aircraft Services (DAS) provides Falcon maintenance, interior refurbishment, avionics upgrades, and more, so it’s only fitting to now offer Viasat’s Ka-band IFC solution to Falcon operators,” said DAS senior v-p and COO Remy St-Martin.