Beechcraft Expands Wi-Fi In-Flight Connectivity Equipment Offerings

New Aircell ATG 2000 provides affordable Wi-Fi aboard aircraft with fewer users;ATG 4000 and 5000 systems provide advanced features and higher capacity

 Beechcraft Corporation today announced at the 2013 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition that it has certified and began installations on a range of wireless in-flight connectivity equipment to fit low- and high-occupancy aircraft.

ATG 2000, a new Aircell equipment package that provides Gogo Biz in-flight Internet and voice service, is available today with certified Wi-Fi as an upgrade through Hawker Beechcraft Services (HBS) for most Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft. HBS is offering introductory incentives to operators who purchase an ATG 2000 during NBAA and through the end of the year.

“Our North American operators love this new option,” said Christi Tannahill, senior vice president, Global Customer Support. “The ATG 2000 bundles connectivity and voice service features in a perfectly sized and priced package that’s ideal for light-use King Air, Premier and Hawker operators.”

The ATG 2000 provides Internet and voice services aboard aircraft with fewer users and/or lighter passenger loads. Users can connect up to three personal devices to the system, including smartphones, tablets and laptops, for general web browsing and e-mail using Aircell's air-to-ground network. The optional voice service gives passengers the capability to call and text in flight using their own smartphone and mobile number. ATG 2000 allows up to two simultaneous voice calls and as many as two devices for text messaging. Installation is affordable, while data and voice plans are much less expensive than any previous in-flight connectivity systems. Because the ATG 2000 doesn’t enable streaming video/audio services and the system supports a limited number of user devices, data consumption is naturally controlled – helping manage monthly service costs.

For aircraft that require more advanced features or the ability to connect a higher number of user devices, Beechcraft has certified the installation of Aircell’s ATG 4000 and ATG 5000 systems in new King Air 250 and 350i aircraft, and HBS offers upgrades on fielded King Air and Hawker aircraft.

“When it comes to Aircell ATG in-flight connectivity equipment for Hawker and Beechcraft products, our HBS team is the most capable and knowledgeable in the industry with more than 50 installations in the past six months, including 25 installations of the ATG 2000,” Tannahill said. “With the newest Wi-Fi certifications, the number of monthly installations we’re performing has jumped significantly as we’re able to meet the growing needs of our operators.”

For more information on the introductory incentives for the ATG 2000, please contact Don Milum at +1.816.503.1973.

Headquartered in Wichita, Kan., the GCS organization is dedicated to improving the value of both Hawker and Beechcraft aircraft by employing products and services to simplify aircraft ownership, reduce operating cost and increase resale value. GCS is comprised of five functional groups that include Support Plus (cost predictability/warranty programs), Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution (genuine factory parts), Hawker Beechcraft Services (factory-owned service centers), Technical Support (Field Support Representatives, Hot Line specialists and Technical Publications) and Global Mission Support (government business and special mission maintenance / training support).