A new portfolio of pricing plans was launched by Satcom Direct this week at EBACE 2024. The plans cover the Plane Simple electronically-steered antenna (ESA) family that is set to enter service early next year.
One of the plans is an industry-first offer that comprises 36 monthly payments of $15,000 and covers the ESA hardware and connection to the Eutelsat OneWeb low earth orbit Ku-band satellite network that offers 195 Mbps download and 36 Mbps upload speeds. No additional payment is required upfront.
The ESA is a low-profile system that permits owners of smaller aircraft to enjoy the benefits of high-spec connectivity. Many will do so for the first time, so the company offers entry-into-service guidance, 24/7 customer support, and customized training.
“With our new plans, which are similar to the cellphone model many of us subscribe to, we are changing the parameters for business and general aviation connectivity by providing a more transparent and easy-to-administer connectivity option,” said Satcom Direct president Chris Moore. “We know that smaller airframe owners are often more cost-conscious, run operations with just one or two aircraft, and need services requiring minimal administrative management, while larger aircraft operators constantly seek enhanced fiscal management solutions. With our monthly pricing models, we are addressing both requirements.”
Flight testing of the ESA is scheduled to begin in August as part of validation flights with the Cessna Caravan and Cessna Citation CJ1. Customers can easily equip or enhance existing satcom installations with the ESA terminal because the hardware comprises two line-replaceable units.