Story ID: 509
Satcom Direct Introduces SD Xperience to Europe
By: Ian Sheppard
Caption: U.S. company says its bundled, tailored connectivity package makes life easier for aircraft owners and operators.
Word Count: 310
Satcom Direct (Booth W115) is presenting its SD Xperience at EBACE 2019 in what it says is the “official Europen introduction” of the connectivity suite. It represents “the first opportunity for many aircraft owners and operators to personally review” SD Xperience, which was introduced at the NBAA show in Orlando in October.

SD Xperience combines SD flight operations software, cabin and cockpit communications services, and aircraft connectivity hardware “into one powerful operating system,” said the Melbourne, Florida-based company. It includes SD Pro, SD Scheduler, and SD’s cabin networking hardware. The suite is being offered with by-the-hour-connectivity pricing, with customizable plans. SD said this “enables more efficient planning and budgeting.”

Michael Skou Christensen, v-p of SD International, noted, “With a strong appetite for efficient connectivity solutions that emulate the on-the-ground digital experience in the air, the European market has so far welcomed the SD Xperience portfolio, and we’re looking forward to rolling it out at EBACE.”

As well as being able to incorporate the internet and broadband data services selected by an aircraft owner or operator, SD Xperience also includes FlexExec, in partnership with Intelsat and Astronics AeroSat. This was introduced on April 1, with SD claiming it as “the first dedicated business aviation high-speed data service that is not shared with commercial, consumer, and maritime users.”

A nine-day round-the-world trip saw SD validating the service using its Gulfstream GIV, with an average eight to 12 passengers using the service simultaneously. In addition, the companies carried out a six-month evaluation program using a further five aircraft, including a Dassault Falcon 7X and Gulfstream GIV, G450, and a G550.

Skou Christensen added, “SD Xperience also synchronizes aircraft with flight departments for improved operational efficiency. It positions us as the only service provider offering infrastructure, hardware, and software with flexible, bundled packages.”