SmartSKY 4G LTE Takes Flight with Pentastar Aviation Completing First Certification and Customer Install

Installation completed on Gulfstream G550 aircraft

Waterford, Mich. – Pentastar Aviation, a leader in the world of business aviation, announced today that it has successfully completed the first installation of a SmartSky Networks 4G LTE system in a customer’s aircraft. Pentastar Aviation developed an Approved Model List (AML) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), which now permits SmartSky installations on the Gulfstream GIV-X and GV-SP.

“We are excited to partner with SmartSky on this pioneering program,” said Jesse Beard, Pentastar Aviation’s Director of Engineering & Inside Sales. “The project was completed on schedule and allowed our customer to have the first aircraft equipped to fly on the SmartSky 4G LTE Air-to-Ground Network.”

SmartSky’s patented 4G LTE beamforming technology delivers the fastest, most secure, and most affordable in-flight connectivity system on the market. Users can easily access virtual private networks (VPN), send and receive email with large attachments, plus simultaneously call, text and stream video on their Wi-Fi enabled devices. SmartSky’s low latency network enables the industry’s most compelling user experience, making possible such applications as video chatting, time-sensitive data transfers, corporate cloud use, and multiplayer live gaming.

“Pentastar Aviation is the first of our world-class partners to certify a SmartSky installation on a customer’s business jet, and we could not be more pleased. They were meticulous in every detail of the process in securing the STC,” said Nancy Walker, Chief Commercial Officer at SmartSky. “We look forward to delighting their customers with a 4G LTE inflight experience as Pentastar installs many more of our systems, in the near-term and for many years to come.”

The Pentastar avionics team delivers an unmatched combination of quality, technology, and superior customer service. This outstanding group of professionals has decades of experience providing industry-leading avionics system integration design, STC development, and service and maintenance on the most sophisticated avionics systems in the marketplace today.

To find out more about Pentastar Aviation’s avionics services, certification services, and current specials visit www.pentastaraviation.com/avionics.

About Pentastar Aviation

Pentastar Aviation, wholly owned by Edsel B. Ford II, is a leader in the world of business aviation, providing aircraft management, advisory services, aircraft maintenance, avionics services, interior services and award-winning FBO services. Air charter transportation services are provided by Pentastar Aviation Charter, Inc., a U.S. FAR Part 135 on-demand air carrier, or by other U.S. FAR Part 135 certificated on-demand air carriers arranged by Pentastar Aviation, LLC. Their team is committed to delivering the highest standards of safety and service excellence to their customers.

Pentastar Aviation has been servicing regional and global travelers for more than 50 years and is headquartered at Oakland County International Airport (PTK). For more information, please visit www.pentastaraviation.com.

About SmartSky Networks

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, SmartSky Networks was formed in 2011 by senior aviation and telecommunications executives seeking to transform aviation through the use of disruptive communications technologies and related tools. Working with leading aerospace and technology partners, SmartSky has begun the rollout of its innovative, air-to-ground network, SmartSky 4G LTE. The network takes advantage of patented spectrum reuse, advanced beamforming technologies and 60 MHz of spectrum for significantly enhanced connectivity. SmartSky 4G LTE delivers data to the aircraft at rates comparable with next generation satellite solutions and provides unmatched capacity for data transmissions from the aircraft to the ground. This real-time, low latency, bidirectional data link makes SmartSky 4G LTE a key enabler for the new and enhanced apps, services, and hardware that will usher in the digitization of the aviation industry. www.smartskynetworks.com.