[Avionics Today March 17, 2014] Panasonic Avionics is on track to double the size of its connectivity-equipped fleet by the end of the year, following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification of a bird strike compliant radome for Boeing 777-200 aircraft.
The Lake Forest, Ca.-based company says the 777-200 radome Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) paves the way for approvals on other aircraft types.
Currently more than 150 Boeing 777-200s are scheduled for in-flight connectivity installations, and other STC approvals are expected for the Boeing 757 in April and the 767 in September.
“Airlines are requiring that their aircraft be connected quickly, and the demand for Ku-band in-flight connectivity services is enormous. This week’s STC approval marks a major step forward in our rapid installation program," said Paul Margis, president and CEO of Panasonic Avionics Corp.
“By the end of this year, 23 airlines will be taking advantage of our unique global high speed satellite network enabling their passengers to stay connected in-flight," Margis added.