20 Vol. 10 / No. 5 / May 2018 Global Aviator
Industry news
SmartSky LiTE™ is the first 4G LTE-based
connectivity solution for light aircraft models
such as the Beechcraft King Air 350, Cessna
Citation CJ 4 and Pilatus PC-It’s easy for light aircraft
operators to feel like all
the inflight connectivity
focus is on larger-cabin,
longer-range jets.Anyone in the industry
can tell you, however, that
operators of turboprops
and light jets have alwaysbeen vital to business
aviation – and that their
impact is poised to grow. The
announcement of the new
SmartSky LiTE™ system
propels that movement,
delivering the power of 4G
LTE connectivity to this
market for the first time.
Turboprop and light-jet operators will have full
access to blazing-fast internet
throughout the aircraft,
providing connectivity for
both the flight deck and
aircraft systems, as well as
in the cabin. Only SmartSky
LiTE™ operates with low
latency which is crucial for
real-time video streaming,
voice conversations and
messaging applications – and
for which there are also no
incremental charges from
SmartSky (although provider
charges may apply).
SmartSky LiTE™ is
designed to appeal to pilot
owner-operators as well
as charter and fractional
companies who want fast
inflight Wi-Fi in both cockpit
and cabin. SmartSky LiTE™
customers will also be able
to access Skytelligence™-
powered applications from
other providers such as
those designed to optimize
fuel management, maximize
flight planning efficiencies,
monitor weather or access
dynamically optimized re-
routing recommendations.Pricing has been designed
for this value-driven market.
By making a $1,000 deposit,
initial customers will be
signed up for an affordable
monthly subscription that
allows them to pay for actual
usage, while still allowing
unlimited access to data.
To celebrate the launch of
SmartSky LiTE™, SmartSky is
offering a special introductory
rate of $75 per connected
hour. The airborne hardware
is projected to cost less than
$50,000, and up to six onboard
devices will be able to access
the internet at the same time.
The SmartSky LiTE™
system will operate over
the same patented, tested,
certified and secure SmartSky
4G LTE-based network
currently being launched
nationwide later this year.
Through its partners,
SmartSky plans to secure
supplemental type certificates
(STCs) for popular light jets
and turboprops, and expects
SmartSky LiTE™ to be
commercially available for
installation in early 2019. •
https://www.smartskynetworks.com/Textron Aviation Inc.
announced in March that, for
the second consecutive year,
the Cessna Citation Latitude
earned the title as the
category’s most delivered
business jet. Citation Latitude
2017 deliveries increased by
30 percent from 2016, to 54
deliveries, further cementing
its position as one of the
world’s best-selling business
jets since its entry into
service in 2015.Since its entry into servicein 2015, the Citation Latitude has
redefined the expectations of a
midsize business jet, delivering
large-cabin comfort and best-in-
class operating costs. Today, the
aircraft is certified in 43 countries,
and the global fleet of 112 aircraft
has surpassed 65,000 flight hours.
Throughout 2017 the Citation
Latitude program reached multiple
milestones, including increased
operational capability with steep
approach certification, delivery of the
platform’s first medevac configuration
and delivery of the 100th aircraft.
The Latitude, with a four-
passenger range of 2,700 nautical miles
(5,000 km) at high-speed cruise, is
set apart from the competition by its
combination of comfort and efficiency.
The aircraft’s class-leading take-off
field length of 3,580 feet provides
operators with greater range out
of short fields. Inside, the Latitude
offers an unrivaled cabin experiencefeaturing the most open, spacious,
bright and refined cabin environment
in its category. With a flat floor and
six feet of cabin height, innovation
abounds with exceptional features
designed throughout the aircraft.
Textron Aviation’s wireless
cabin management system provides
productive connectivity and
entertainment to each passenger
through their personal electronic
devices. Improving cabin comfort
for passengers and crew alike, the
Latitude features a new cabin cooling
system and a new pressurization
system which provides a 5,950-
foot cabin altitude at the aircraft’s
maximum operating altitude of
45,000 feet. With standard seating
configurations, the Latitude can
comfortably accommodate up to nine
passengers. Extended maintenance
intervals provide owners with
the lowest direct operating costs
in the midsize segment. •Citation Latitude
extends reign as
most delivered
midsize business jet