LOUISVILLE, CO – April 6, 2007 – At last week’s Aircraft Electronics Association annual convention, Aircell received the 2007 AEA Associate Member of the Year honor, which was presented to company officials during the event’s annual awards luncheon. The award – voted on by AEA member companies – recognizes a manufacturer or distributor for the company’s service and support to the aviation electronics industry.
In accepting the award, Bill Peltola, Aircell’s Senior Vice President, Business Aviation Solutions, commented, “It’s a great source of pride to receive such a prestigious honor, especially since the award is voted on by the very organizations that have made Aircell so successful – our dealers and industry colleagues. As we work to bring our revolutionary new broadband service to market early next year, this award is a reminder of just how far we’ve come.”
Past Associate Member of the Year award winners include Garmin, Rockwell Collins, BFGoodrich Avionics (now L-3 Avionics Systems), and Bendix/King (now Honeywell Aerospace).
In presenting the award, the Association provided this historical overview of Aircell:
“The 2007 AEA Associate Member of the Year recipient, Aircell, is a company originally founded on the idea to reuse cellular frequencies in the air to bring affordable communications to every business and private aircraft in America. Its first wide-scale product was developed in conjunction with Trimble Navigation, and sold through Trimble avionics dealers. Since those early days, Aircell has grown to become the world leader in air-to-ground telecommunications, achieving a number of enviable successes. In 2002, Aircell began expanding its network service offerings beyond its original cellular network, adding its first satellite-based product. The company holds more than 30 patents on its airborne telecom innovations, and has sold more than 5,000 systems. Today, Aircell’s products are offered as standard or optional equipment by virtually every aircraft manufacturer in business aviation. With all the success it has achieved, perhaps Aircell’s single biggest milestone came in 2006, when it won the exclusive nationwide air-to-ground broadband license in an FCC spectrum auction — rewarding years of planning and vision. Currently, Aircell is at work developing its pioneering new wireless broadband service for business aircraft and airlines – set for debut in early 2008.”
About the Aircraft Electronics Association
The AEA represents more than 1,300 repair stations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft. AEA membership also includes manufacturers of avionics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions. For more information, contact the AEA at 816-373-6565, e-mail info@aea.net, or visit www.aea.net.
Aircell® is the leader in global airborne telecommunications for the Business Aviation market. Its products are offered by virtually every fixed- and rotor-wing airframe manufacturer in business aviation, and are installed aboard the world’s four largest fractional ownership fleets. A single-source, turnkey provider of equipment, service, and technical support, Aircell simplifies airborne communications and keeps you In Touch, In Flight®.
The 2006 winner of the FCC’s exclusive broadband frequency license, Aircell is also pioneering a revolutionary new wireless broadband system for North America. Available only from Aircell, it will include robust Wi-Fi hotspots that enable airline passengers to surf the Internet, use e-mail, and log on to their corporate VPN’s using their personal 802.11a/b/g-equipped Wi-Fi data devices. The system will also offer airline operational communications capabilities and provide a path to a wealth of future cabin services.
Set for introduction in 2008, the new broadband service will also be available to business aircraft operators, offering a similar set of features.
Aircell (www.aircell.com) has facilities in Louisville, Colorado, and Itasca, Illinois, USA.
Tom Myers
Aircell, Inc.
+1.303.379.0237
tmyers@aircell.com