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ARINC and Rockwell Collins deliver broadband Internet solution for the Boeing Business Jet
Orlando, Fla. (October 05, 2008) - ARINC DirectSM and Rockwell Collins today announced the award of a contract for installation and certification of the Rockwell Collins eXchange™
satellite broadband communication system on a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ).
It marks the first time that a BBJ, the world's largest production business jet, has been equipped with eXchangeTM with service
by SKYLinkSM. The ViaSat Ku-band broadband terminal hardware with the SKYLink service has previously been installed on the
Gulfstream IV, 450,V, 550, and the Cessna Citation X aircraft.
ARINC's customer for the current installation and certification project is Associated Air Center of Dallas, Texas, where the
green BBJ-2 airframe is being completed for delivery to a private owner in early 2009. This first commercial aftermarket installation
of the eXchange system in a Boeing BBJ will be performed by ARINC's Colorado Springs facilities "Go Team," using an in-house
STC developed under ARINC's recent Organization Designation Authorization (ODA).
"eXchange with service by SKYLink is the world's first broadband Internet for business jets," stated Bob Hanley, ARINC direct
vice president, Business Aviation Solutions. "We have almost 100 private, corporate and government aircraft already equipped
and using our service from Europe to South America., and we are delighted a Boeing Business Jet will soon join them."
"eXchange enhances passengers' productivity by providing the fastest broadband connectivity solution for business aircraft,"
said Tommy Dodson, vice president and general manager, Cabin Systems for Rockwell Collins. "We look forward to continued expansion
of our eXchange service offering and customer base in the near future."
eXchange with service by SKYLink provides a high-speed Internet connection for business aircraft, with true broadband speeds
as high as 3.5 Mbps for an "office in the sky" experience. It allows passengers access to e-mail and corporate intranet (VPN),
the Internet, Voice over IP (VoIP) global telephone service, and videoconferencing. eXchange also enables access to e-mail
and data connectivity for Wi-Fi enabled smartphones.
ARINC Direct recently expanded its SKYLink network to include substantial coverage of the Caribbean, Central America, and
parts of South America. SKYLink users can now fly from Europe to North America, across the Caribbean, and on to Central and
South America without losing access to important e-mail and Internet applications.
ARINC Direct Aircraft Maintenance Services maintains an engineering staff, Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs) and
Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DARs) dedicated to STC work as well as electrical and structural engineering. In
addition, they operate an ODA (Organization Designation Authorization) that allows ARINC Direct to: issue supplemental type
certificates (STCs); issue experimental certificates for aircraft that are altered by the ODA under such STCs and require
flight tests; and amend standard airworthiness certificates for such aircraft.
ViaSat produces innovative satellite and digital communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications
to any location. ViaSat has over 1,900 employees and is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol VSAT.
For more information, visit ViaSat website at www.viasat.com.
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic
solutions for both commercial and government applications. Their expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission
communications and information management, and simulation and training is delivered by 20,000 employees, and a global service
and support network that crosses 27 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.
ARINC Incorporated, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, provides communications, engineering and integration solutions
for commercial, defense and government customers worldwide. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland with regional headquarters
in London and Singapore, ARINC is ISO 9001:2000 certified. For more information, visit the web site at www.arinc.com.
Contacts:
ARINC Incorporated
Brand Management & Communications
corpcomm@arinc.com
+1 410 266 4652
Rockwell Collins
Pam Tvrdy
Cell: 319-431-0951
Work: 319-295-0591
pjtvrdy@rockwellcollins.com
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