by Brian Wilson

On a recent flight to Las Vegas I was overwhelmed with advertisements offering Wi-Fi onboard the aircraft.  While purchasing my ticket I encountered a pop-up box informing me that “this aircraft is Wi-Fi equipped”,   followed by a link to purchase the service.

Standing in the boarding area, the gate agent announced the Wi-Fi service several times and as I entered the  cabin door there was a Wi-Fi decal on the fuselage. Arriving at my seat, I found a Wi-Fi brochure in the seat pocket, and while the stewardess repeated  her normal repertoire, she augmented her ritual by reminding passengers that the aircraft was Wi-Fi equipped.  The final and most intrusive reminder shocked me a bit; located right next to the standard illuminated icon of the no smoking and fasten your seatbelts signs was a Wi-Fi symbol. I pondered whether to read the safety briefing or purchase this Wi-Fi service because it must be very important to have during this flight!

Having Wi-Fi on board a commercial airliner or corporate jet is nothing new, of course; but the renewed interest and fascination to offer such services has grabbed the industry by storm. Charter companies market their fleets as Wi-Fi equipped and aircraft brokers advertise the same to gain a competitive advantage. I assume of this readership a basic understanding of how a Wireless Access Point (WAP) operates, and what it provides. But beyond the basics, a WAP provides much more than a “connection” for which Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) can access their email or surf the Internet. Having a WAP onboard is changing the game for both the flight crew and the passengers.

This article will break down the different areas of the aircraft to give you a better understanding of how having a WAP onboard makes life easier for everyone.
In its simplest form a WAP onboard an aircraft is no different than someone going down to the coffee shop, ordering their favorite Latte and logging their PED on to the coffee shop ‘hotspot’. The basic technology is the same; there is access to the Internet, which is then connected to a router, which then communicates to your PED via a WAP. The difference starts when explaining how the internet gets to the aircraft as opposed to your home.

In your home or business the internet enters through the existing phone and/or cable (TV) infrastructure. Cabling is then run from room to room and you connect your computer to the network by plugging an Ethernet line into the Local Area Network (LAN) jacks. To create a wireless hotspot you simply plug a WAP to a jack and your family or colleagues can use their PEDs.

There are some similarities with how an aircraft gets its internet where the place of business or domicile is remotely located and you have to use a ‘dish’ that is strategically positioned on your home or building. The internet is then ‘piped’ in via a network of Satellites hovering over the earth and that are strategically positioned for maximum coverage. In most cases that is how an aircraft – both airline and corporate – receives internet. An antenna is mounted on top of the aircraft that communicates with a Satellite and sends the information to a router which then connects to a WAP. So a passenger onboard an aircraft would access the internet in the same way they do at their coffee shop.

The technology that makes this happen in an aircraft traveling 560 MPH at an altitude of 37,000 feet makes this truly amazing, but is entirely invisible to the passenger who simply puts their PED on airplane-mode, thus activating the Wi-Fi function, connecting to the service, and enabling email and internet browsing just as would be available on the ground.

WI-FI IN THE CABIN
Wi-Fi was first introduced into the Cabin when traditional Satellite voice communications known as “SatCom” transitioned from being voice-only to include data services. The first installations required passengers to plug their laptops into LAN jacks which then connected them to a router. What started the interest in wireless communications was the introduction of the first Wi-Fi enabled smartphone with email capability. The immense popularity with the new smartphone led to an explosion of new devices that offered wireless communications.

The public was then exposed to Wi-Fi hotspots which evolved in both retail and communal areas. The public’s fascination to always have access to their email and the internet while on-the-go launched a whole new paradigm of how we communicate.

Passengers flying on corporate jets naturally wanted the same freedom to roam the cabin or change seats without having to plug into a jack. Most PEDs didn’t allow for any type of physical connection which created an opportunity for companies to design the first Wi-Fi enabled routers for aviation. Originally designed to allow access to email and webbrowsing using PEDs; Wi-Fi; and make available many applications, this has evolved into an array of additional functionality including:

• Control of the Cabin Lighting
• Setting the Cabin Air Temperature
• Selection and control of the In-Flight Entertainment (IFE)
• Online shopping
• Streaming of Movies
• Streaming of Moving Maps
• Streaming and sharing content stored onyour PED
• Wireless Handsets
• VOIP voice calling

Streaming content to a PED is another technology the public has been exposed to and it’s only natural that passengers will want the same experience when they are flying. Streaming movies, sporting events and television shows to a PED via a wireless service is quite common, whether you are in a home, a business or just walking through the park – but in an aircraft there are limitations.

This starts with the data speed access onboard the aircraft (versus what you get at your home or office). Most people are familiar with the leading online video streaming companies where you sign up for a monthly rate and have access to unlimited movies. These companies allow you to “stream” the data over the internet to view either on a standard TV, computer or PED; hence, the content is technically stored “in the cloud”. Airliners and large-sized corporate aircraft that can afford to purchase a Ku-Band internet service will have some level of ‘cloud’ content access, but for the vast majority of corporate aircraft using the popular SwiftBroadband (SBB) or Air-to-Ground service, the speed of the connection will prohibit any downloading of movies. (I am not saying it’s impossible to do, it’s just not costeffective.)

On the other hand, the wireless device onboard an aircraft is technically the same as the one used at the home or office. The new 802.11(n) Wi-Fi models are capable of handling up to 600Mb/s of bandwidth which allows for streaming HD quality shows and movies. Audio Video on Demand (AVOD) media storage units are an excellent, costeffective solution for onboard entertainment systems. These media devices store the content and stream them to your PED as though you were on the ground. Having the content stored onboard the aircraft eliminates the deficiency in the data-rates and precludes a nasty surprise in your monthly bill because a passenger tried to download a movie.

Wi-Fi enabled smartphones and handsets allow Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calls to be made to and from the aircraft. The ability to make a voice call using the bandwidth available over the internet connection gives you the advantage of saving money if you plan your next upgrade correctly.

Let’s imagine you have a Gulfstream GIV with the standard Magnastar phone system: although a reliable voice and fax solution, it has many limitations and its end-of-life cycle is fast approaching… Your company has a maintenance inspection coming up soon and the goal is to upgrade the cabin for connectivity. By installing a hybrid system that provides both connectivity and VOIP calling you can eliminate the existing voice-only system. Now your passengers can roam around the cabin with their portable handsets instead of being attached to a retractable reel. Additionally, by selecting the right service provider, all your voice and data charges will be on one bill.

COCKPIT AND CREW
In 2011, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the use of the Apple iPad tablet in the cockpit. Airliners and Charter companies followed with requests to replace the current bulky and heavy flight bags with the paperless tablets. Although many operators use flight applications that can be updated with a touch of the icon and don’t necessarily require Wi-Fi, flight crews can gain a wealth of information to help increase situation awareness and safety while in flight.

A good example would be the weather: Although many of the larger airframes have the technology to allow the crew to view the weather while in flight; the majority of the small to mid-sized aircraft don’t have that capability. Even those aircraft outfitted with the technology are limited by the size and detail of the displays in the cockpit. Any pilot will tell you that most cockpit displays take a back-seat to tablets when it comes to resolution, brightness and viewing angle. Now aircraft of all sizes can view the current weather and other flight critical data utilizing a tablet, application, Wi-Fi and an internet connection. In the case where weather prohibits the crew from reaching their scheduled airport, they can use the internet to assist them on which FBO to use, based on services and fuel prices.

Most pilots and technicians can remember the days when they had to take upwards of an hour to load five or six floppy disks into their Flight Management System (FMS) every 28 days in order to update the Database. How about situations where your aircraft was on an extended trip, far from the home base, and the crew is reporting the FMS and IFIS databases are soon overdue along with a re-occurring intermittent problem with the Avionics?

In the past this could be a very frustrating time for both the crew and the maintenance personnel. Imagine the convenience of knowing that once the aircraft is on the ground, an onboard device makes a secure connection to a Wi-Fi network and automatically transfers all the information. The crew and technician even receive an email or text message that the content was successfully installed onto the aircraft.

The possibilities are endless to where this new technology can take today’s modern aircraft. Envision the case where the onboard systems are working normally and the crew see no anomalies in the cockpit; but the Maintenance Diagnostic Computer (MDC) sent a message via the Wi-Fi network that a computer is starting to malfunction. The message could be routed to the manufacturer’s technical operations department who concur a fault is imminent. An email could then be sent to the crew and the home-base identifying the problem with a corrective action plan attached. Parts could be ordered and shipped to the aircraft’s next destination before it even arrives. That would be customer service!

THE WI-FI ROADMAP
Given the information outlined above you can start to picture what lies ahead for all the players in our industry. Staying connected has made the transition from email and web browsing, to maintenance diagnostics and database upgrades.
• Fixed Based Operators will have to enhance their Wi-Fi systems with both bandwidth and security measures to entice aircraft operators to use their facilities over their competitors.
• Charter companies will outfit their fleets with Wi-Fi networks so passengers can get email and internet access, giving them a competitive advantage.
• Avionics, Maintenance and Engine manufacturers will design their equipment to communicate with onboard routers and terminals so their systems can be monitored at all times.
• Aircraft OEMs will certify their new aircraft to be Wi-Fi compliant; external antenna’s will transmit and receive information via a wireless network.
• New job titles and positions will be created to monitor, decode and transfer information sent over the network.
• Information technology (IT) specialists and consultants will be needed to ensure proper encryption is used preventing the network from being hacked into.
• Technical schools will change their curriculum to include IT training, and more troubleshooting will be done remotely over the Wi-Fi network.

One thing is certain moving forwards: Wi-Fi is here to stay. It is the central nervous system of In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) and its relationship with other onboard systems continues to grow. Ground-based operations will have to adapt so that they, too, can “stay connected”.

Brian Wilson oversees all activities related to Banyan Air Services’ avionics department – including sales promotions, aircraft avionics installations, bench and line troubleshooting, engineering and used avionics component sales. His avionics career started 30 years ago, when he joined the U.S. Navy as an Avionics Technician. Wilson has also worked at Midcoast Aviation, Raytheon, Bombardier/Learjet and Jet Aviation in West Palm Beach where he headed the Avionics, Engineering and Interior departments. He also serves on the Rockwell Collins Dealer Board. He can be reached  954-232-3606 or email bwilson@banyanair.com.

Restaurant Review: By John Tanasychuk, SouthFlorida.com

Inside a hangar on the edge of the tarmac at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport sits one of the best lunch spots in Fort Lauderdale.

Two weeks ago, I wouldn’t have believed I’d ever write that sentence. But then, I found myself at Jet Runway Cafe.

You wend your way to the restaurant off Commercial Boulevard and arrive at what is truly one of the most-nondescript restaurant locations in the region. Off the parking lot, a nicely landscaped, covered walkway leads diners into one of those hangars. At 1 p.m. on a Thursday, the place was packed. I mean hopping.
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere: Check out our list of the best happy hours

Aside from a couple of well-placed decorative turbines, you’d never know that aviation was the theme. The 89-seat restaurant is set with metal and wooden furniture. A long banquette separates the dining room from a long window into the kitchen. A pile of oversize white plates sits on the pass-through. This place is cool.

On the other side of the narrow room, a row of windows looking onto the tarmac provides the restaurant its name. That view is why the weekday office workers get replaced by parents and grandparents with kids when Saturday rolls around. What kid doesn’t love airplanes?

But don’t just come here for the kids. Come because chef Sean Anderson turns out some of the most-artfully presented food I’ve seen in ages. It’s served by a team, led by general manager Felicia Singh, who seems to never miss a beat, even when every seat in the house is full.

The breakfast menu includes the Full Tank ($10): pancakes or French toast, two eggs, potatoes or grits, bacon or sausage. It’s served on two of those big, white plates, and every element is better than the next. The Egg Scrambler ($8) is a huge skillet of scrambled eggs, diced ham, peppers, onions and cheddar cheese. The breakfast burrito ($8) wraps scrambled eggs, black beans, salsa, cheddar and jack cheese inside a toasted tortilla.

All breakfasts come with something called “famous fried bread pudding.” It tastes like a cross between bread pudding and kugel. Brioche-almond French toast ($9) is also on the menu, along with pancakes ($8), eggs Benedict ($9), a breakfast club sandwich ($8) and a croissant sandwich ($8).

Breakfast is better here than at many pricey hotels and resorts. Lunch may be even better.

The menu is huge, but I’d recommend starting with Thai chicken flatbread ($10.50): thin-crusted bread topped with peanut sauce, carrots, mozzarella and cilantro. It really does taste like a burst of Thai flavors.

Soup ($5-$6) changes daily and features everything from Monday’s roasted corn chowder to Wednesday’s Sante Fe black bean. There are eight salads ($11-$14), to which a skewer of wonderful grilled shrimp ($3.50) can be added. Crab-cake salad ($14) combines green, Roma tomatoes, carrots, julienne peppers, cucumbers and citrus-honey vinaigrette. There’s also a Crispy Asian chicken salad ($11.50) featuring fried chicken with sesame-ginger dressing.

We couldn’t resist a side of mac-n-cheese ($3.50), which had a little kick from red pepper. Some of that red pepper is tossed with the toasted panko topping.

There are a dozen sandwiches ($10.50-$14), seven different burgers ($10.50), three Mexican-inspired dishes ($10.50-$13.50) plus five Jet Features ($10-$11). A favorite from that last category is a sandwich known as the Picnic Basket ($11) in which slices of country white bread hold barbecue-pulled pork, pepper jack cheese, macaroni and cheese, and crispy onion strings.

I went for classic steak chimichurri ($14.50), skirt steak with grilled onions, flavorful yellow rice, black beans and roasted vegetables. It was a generous lunch portion.

Among the desserts is incredible chocolate fudge cake ($6), which Jet Runway brings in from Two Fat Cookies bakery in Boca. I’m going to find this bakery.

The 5-year-old Jet Runway Cafe is owned by Mitch Amsterdam and Mike Linder. It grew out of their Silver Lining Inflight Catering, which has been servicing the private-aviation industry since 2001. They service flights out of every South Florida airport, from Stuart south to Kendall Tamiami Executive Airport.

Jet Runway is so good, I wondered why they don’t open for dinner? Throw on some tablecloths, and I’m sure chef Anderson would create an exceptional dinner menu.

The place is open at night, but only for private functions. They can open up the restaurant to the tarmac and take over the next-door hangar. They’ve hosted weddings and bar mitzvahs, bridals showers and office parties. The catering menu looks as good as lunch.

jtanasychuk@SouthFlorida.com or 954-356-4632. Read his blog at SouthFlorida.com/sup and follow him on Twitter at @FloridaEats

5540 NW 21st Terrace, Fort Lauderdale

954-958-9900, JetRunwayCafe.com

To view the original restaurant review by John Tanasychuk, click here.

Banyan’s Alvie Barron prepares to experience the EVAS simulator which is now in Banyan’s lobby and ready for demonstrations.

Banyan Air Service and VisionSafe have entered into an agreement,  naming Banyan an Emergency Vision Assurance System (EVAS) Sales and Service Center for the Southeast United States.

EVAS is an FAA tested and certified system available for all turboprop and jet aircraft that displaces smoke enabling pilots to see the flight path and instruments during an emergency. The system is a compact self‐contained system weighing approximately 6 pounds, about the size of a flight manual and costs around $35,000.

The EVAS system can be installed in just a few hours at Banyan. The system can also be purchased at Banyan along with the STC for easy field installation with the help of Banyan technical support, if needed. EVAS is  currently certified and in use in corporate and transport aircraft around the world, including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault,  Embraer, Gulfstream, Hawker Beech and Learjet aircraft.

“Cockpit smoke displacement systems have been endorsed by over 50 airlines, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)  and the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association (CAPA) as “standard” equipment. All pilots should see a demonstration of  this safety equipment and once installed the crew and passengers will feel much safer knowing their aircraft is outfitted with EVAS,” says Alvie Barron, Banyan’s director of technical sales.

“Banyan is the perfect distributor for EVAS,” says Kurt Poruks of VisionSafe. “Besides being a world class FBO, their maintenance team works on a wide range of aircraft including Challengers and Falcons. In addition, the avionics team is currently working on Boeing and Gulfstream installations. These aircraft are all perfect candidates for EVAS.”

Banyan recently received an EVAS simulator and is offering demonstrations on how this equipment can aid a pilot in the event of smoke in the cockpit. “It only takes one demonstration of a smoke filled cockpit to prove how EVAS can save lives during an emergency,” says Barron.

Banyan Air Service based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport is an authorized FAA and EASA repair station and has earned maintenance and avionics repair station approvals from several countries including Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Cayman, and Venezuela. Airframe maintenance support includes Bombardier, Cessna Citation, Falcon, Hawker Beech,  Learjet, Piaggio and Pilatus. Avionics support includes installations and in‐flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) solutions on any aircraft from a Citation to a Boeing 757.

The EVAS system is manufactured and patented by the VisionSafe Corporation. For more information contact Alvie Barron 954‐492‐3568, or visit www.banyanair.com/EVAS.

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The Biesuz family (Val, Pedro and Eloy) show off their new artwork, "Spirit of St. Louis" and "Spruce Goose" from the Martin-Young Aviation Collection.

Banyan Air Service and Steven F. Greenwald Design, Inc. have teamed up to provide an aviation art display in Banyan’s lobby.

“We are always looking for unique and interesting displays for our spacious lobby,” says Nancy Bouvier, Banyan’s director of marketing.  “We like to keep it interesting for our customers and have had a variety of displays including boats, golf carts, cars, paddle boards, and now aviation art.”

The display includes The Martin-Young Aviation Collection created by artists Frank Martin and Judeen Young.  They have fused their award-winning artistic techniques to create an aviation art collection ranging from the evolution of flight and classic military aircraft to today’s latest commercial and general aviation aircraft.  Their unique skills combine to form a hybrid collaboration of abstract paintings and collage techniques.

Mr. and Mrs. Eloy Biesuz and their son, Pedro, stopped to look at the artwork in the lobby and purchased two pieces to take home to Brazil on their Lear 45.  “We liked the subject matter and the aircraft featured in the artwork and thought they would make a great addition to our office.  We get nice comments about the uniqueness and the bright colors,” said Mr. Biesuz.

The Steven F. Greenwald Design aviation art display will remain in Banyan’s lobby until the end of November.  Pieces can be purchased right from the lobby display, on-line at BanyanPilotShop.com/art or in Banyan’s Pilot Shop.  The Pilot Shop is located at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport next to Banyan’s FBO terminal and is open 7 days a week.  The store carries a wide selection of The Martin-Young Aviation Art Collection and offers assistance on customized orders; including specific aircraft, different sizes and framing options.  World-wide shipping is also available.  For more information, contact: dgreene@banyanair.com.

Steven Greenwald Design, Inc. has been providing art, consulting, and framing services since 1983.  Their 6500 square foot Ft. Lauderdale gallery and custom framing studio houses a complete art gallery and a state of the art production facility.  The Martin-Young Aviation Collection is quickly becoming well known as the most contemporary and comprehensive aviation art collection in today’s market.  Martin-Young and SFGD have completed special projects for many aviation and aerospace corporations.  For more information, visit www.theartofaircraft.com

George Tucker - Director of Banyan Pilot Shop

George Tucker recently joined Banyan Air Service as the Director of Banyan Pilot Shop.  He is responsible for the leadership and growth of the Pilot Shop and banyanpilotshop.com including marketing strategy, supply chain, inventory and management.

“We are excited that George has joined the Banyan team.  Given his extensive background in e-commerce and on-line marketing, we anticipate that he will increase our market share through new relationships and increase revenue streams,” says Don Campion, President of Banyan Air Service.

George previously worked at Envisia Group for seven years promoting health and beauty products and has managed advertising budgets in excel of $1.5 million annually.  Before Envisia, he was a copywriter at MLA Consult Inc.  George earned a Master’s degree in creative writing from Florida International University and has taught college composition courses. He is an accomplished fiction writer, has won multiple national awards and was nominated for an American literary prize by Pushcart Press.

“I’m thrilled to put my skills to work in the aviation industry.  Very few niches are as technologically advanced as aviation electronics.  What’s even more thrilling is that banyanpilotshop.com offers the same great products as our physical store, but on a global level,” says Tucker.

Banyan Pilot Shop is located at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and is one of the largest aviation stores in the nation.  It offers pilot supplies, a large selection of headsets, safety gear, training materials, charts, apparel, children’s items, radio controlled aircraft, and everything a pilot or aviation enthusiast needs or wants.  The store also features a Gulfstream II fuselage equipped with flight simulator software and an electronic tower featuring a wide variety of portable aviation electronics.  The store is open seven days a week. For more information, visit www.banyanair.com/pilotshop.

 Garmin, the world’s leading provider of GPS equipment, announced their latest shot in the GPS wars. The all-new Garmin GLO is a small gray box that serves as a GPS accessible via a Bluetooth-enabled iPhone or iPad (okay, Android devices, too). This $99 device enables pilots and drivers to keep track of their position without the hassle of adding another screen. The GLO is Apple approved to work with its products.

Interestingly, the GLO uses not only GPS satellites but also the Russian version of GPS called GLONASS — an additional 24 location beacons. This provides rapid location, 20% faster than competing devices. Position updates 10 times per second seems excessive but will certainly be popular for performance junkies. Overall, the additional satellite coverage means more robust positioning.

The GLO’s internal battery lasts for 12 hours, or it can run off ship power (cable included in the aviation bundle).

The real brain behind the Garmin GLO is the very popular Garmin Pilot app. Garmin Pilot is an incredibly powerful piece of kit that enables:

• weather reporting
• plan and file flight plans
• navigation assistance
• electronic flight bag (fewer pieces of paper to blow away when you open the door)
• IFR high and low enroute charts
• VFR sectionals
• Garmin FliteCharts
• SafeTaxi diagrams for unfamiliar airports

The GLO Aviation package comes with a 6-month subscription to Garmin Pilot, as well as a mount, power cable and USB cable. The aviation package MSRP: $139. Garmin Pilot costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 for a year’s subscription. Online reviews of the Garmin Pilot app are unfavorable compared to ForeFlight. Hopefully Garmin will take some cues from the competition and iron out the bugs in their app. Even without the software, the GLO is a handy little device.

The GLO seems targeted toward the Dual XGPS150A iPad GPS device that’s proven so wildly popular among pilots in the general aviation community. Like the Dual, the GLO is Bluetooth compatible, easily portable, and runs off battery power or ship power. The GLO is an interesting direction for Garmin.

Clearly Garmin has taken another step toward surrendering the user interface battle. Why would anyone who has ever held an iPad want any other touch-screen interface? Pilots love iPads and Garmin is feeling the heat from the tablet market. The GLO, at $129 for the aviation package, is 20 times less expensive than the top-of-the-line Garmin 796. There’s no reason for Garmin to offer this low-cost entry into their line of avionics products — no reason other than to capture sales from pilots who already have traded in their flight bag for an iPad.

Very few want another gadget to add to the collection they’re already schlepping into the cockpit. But the Garmin GLO is small enough that you can almost forget about it — just make sure it’s mounted somewhere you can confirm the power light is on and you’re good to go. The pricepoint makes the last-generation Garmin GPS devices look excessively priced — for less than $1000 you can buy an iPad bundled with a GLO plus aviation accessories. This is an aggressive stance for a manufacturer that’s focused so fanatically on its own devices complete with touch screen, its own user interfaces. Is Garmin giving up the UI struggle with Apple’s iPad? Only the sales numbers will determine the winner of this struggle.

The Garmin GDL 39 combines a dual-link ADS-B (Automatic Dependant Surveillance Broadcast) receiver and GPS into a single unit. Now you can get ADS-B datalink traffic, weather and GPS positioning from a single portable device. The cost conscious will be happy to hear that weather service is subscription-free.

The GDL-39 is an ADS-B In device, which outputs to a Garmin portable or any mobile device running Garmin Pilot. The GDL-39 is compatible with:

1. aera 796-795
2. aera 500 series GPS
3. GPSMAP 696/695
4. G3X experimental flight display
5. output via Bluetooth to Garmin Pilot app-compatible devices (including the iPad!)

Integration with other Garmin devices is pending. Specifically, Garmin anticipates integration with the G1000 avionics suite in January 2014.

The GTX 330 and 33ES transponder units must have their firmware upgraded by Garmin to receive traffic. Contact an authorized Garmin dealer for assistance.

Comprehensive Weather Information

The Garmin GLD-39 uses ADS-B input technology to receive free Flight Information Service Broadcasts (FIS-B) from the FAA-maintained 978 MHz Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) uplink. The following information is at your fingertips:

1. animated NEXRAD radar (5-12 minute sweep depending on radar)
2. METARs
3. TAFs
4. winds and temperatures aloft
5. PIREPs
6. NOTAMs
7. And more!

You get comprehensive weather information at a glance. Keep in mind that FIS-B is delivered line-of-sight by ADS-B antennae. Here is a map of current coverage:

These antennae work by line-of-sight — meaning, in some cases, you have to take off to position yourself within the LOS of an antenna. Furthermore, proximity to an antenna gives you a clearer, higher-resolution weather map. Aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out devices pass on information to other aircraft within range automatically so it is possible to get weather information in this manner.

ADS-B In and Out

The Garmin GDL-39 supports ADS-B In only information. This provides weather and traffic information but is limited by the ADS-B antenna coverage pictured above.

For best results, combine the GDL-39 with an ADS-B Out device. This provides more accurate traffic information as well as better weather information. In the event that your cockpit contains multiple ADS-B reception devices, the GDL-39 assesses information integrity and displays the most complete data to the pilot.

The GLD-39 receives ADS-B In signals on both available frequencies (978 UAT and 1090 ES).

Garmin GDL-39 vs. Zaon

The GDL-39 seems to be a direct head-to-head competitor with Zaon’s collision warning devices. In this head-to-head comparison, the Garmin wins in the display category. The GDL-39 offers more features (especially if you have ADS-B In/Out capability): weather, traffic and GPS.

However, the Zaon devices are much simpler, and deliver critical positioning information. Furthermore, Zaon devices don’t depend on ADS-B output of other aircraft. Instead, Zaon uses XM satellite coverage. On the downsite, word around the pilot shop is that the Zaon tracks a limited number of targets and defaults to closest targets. We’ve heard complaints of false alarms, too. (And there’s no iPad support, if you’re into that kind of thing).

Some pilots prefer an uncluttered, single-output device to juggling multiple inputs from the same device. For those of you who have trouble multi-tasking on your iPad, a Zaon MRX Collision Avoidance System ($500) may be a better choice.

On the other hand, the GDL-39 definitely helps to provide a clearer picture of the skies all around.

Spot traffic threats

The GDL-39 alerts the pilot with both visual and verbal signals when new aircraft are detected. Your unit alerts you with the spoken words, “Traffic, traffic” to get your eyes on the display right away. The Garmin display technology assesses data integrity from both ADS-B frequencies and displays the most accurate data. This cuts down on ghosts, duplicate targets and other false alarms.

GDL-39 GPS capabilities

The Garmin GDL-39 contains a WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) receiver for GPS location services. Garmin has been the #1 name in GPS technology for over 20 years. Since the company’s founding in 1989, Garmin has based its reputation on the delivery of fast, robust and error-free navigation information. The GDL-39 is no disappointment in this arena.

Two GDL-39′s To Choose From

Garmin GDL 39 for Garmin Portable Units
Garmin GDL 39 for iPad, iPhone, and Android Devices

Banyan Air Service based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport has recently been appointed as a Quest Authorized Sales Center for the KODIAK.

“Banyan is thrilled to be appointed as the KODIAK dealer for the Florida region,” said Michael O’Keeffe, Banyan’s senior vice president of aircraft sales.  “This is a natural complement to our existing maintenance service capability for the KODIAK, and we are proud to offer complete sales and service under one roof.”

Florida is a strong market for the KODIAK for charter operators, small businesses, personal owners, skydiving operations, U.S. and international government, and humanitarian organizations.

The KODIAK’s rugged aluminum construction combines superior short take-off and landing (STOL) performance and high useful load.  It offers proven turbine reliability with the Pratt & Whitney PT6 turbine engine, has the ability to land and take off from unimproved surfaces and is capable of working off floats without structural upgrades.  The KODIAK can take off in under 1,000 feet at full gross takeoff weight of 7,255 lbs and climb at over 1,300 feet per minute.  A 3-panel Garmin G1000 integrated avionics suite including Synthetic Vision Technology is standard equipment on the KODIAK.

The KODIAK can be outfitted with an External Cargo Compartment, air-conditioning and even a Jump package making this a versatile cargo-hauling work-horse or comfortable passenger transport.

In addition, to having the KODIAK on display at the Banyan Air Service facility, a 12 stop airport tour is being planned.

Quest Aircraft Company is the manufacturer of the KODIAK, a 10-place single engine turboprop utility airplane, designed for STOL use and float capability.  Headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho, the company was established in 2011 and began deliveries of the KODIAK in December 2007.

Banyan Air Service based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport offers 24-hour FBO services, aircraft sales, heavy turbine aircraft maintenance, avionics, parts solutions, aviation store, on-line store at BanyanPilotShop.com and Jet Runway Café.  The company was established in 1979 and employs over 160 teammates.  For more information, please visit www.banyanair.com.

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued STC ST03958AT to Banyan Air Service based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) for the installation of a Honeywell Aspire 200LG Satcom system on Gulfstream models GII/GIII/GIV.

The Aspire 200LG system turns  an aircraft into an Internet hot spot and enables pilots and passengers to use Wi-Fi enabled devices including, Android, Blackberry®, iPhone® and iPads to access a multitude of applications including email, Internet browsing, smart phone connectivity and voice communications.

“We are excited to provide Gulfstream operators with the latest in worldwide airborne connectivity” said Brian Wilson, Banyan’s Director of Avionics. “The flexibility and scalable architecture of the Aspire system combined with data acceleration and Wi-Fi allows versatility within our STC to meet the needs of our clients. Our launch customer is very satisfied with the system and we have already received many inquiries about this innovative product.”

The complete STC data package consists of the Aspire 200 LG SwiftBroadband Satcom system with optional CNX-200 Cabin Gateway with accelerator, augmented with a Honeywell Sky Connect dual-channel Iridium Satcom.  By certifying both the Aspire 200’s standard router and the CNX-200 accelerator for Wi-Fi operation, Gulfstream operators can choose either router or install them both.

“The CNX-200 is also a very popular addition to Gulfstream operators upgrading their MCS-3000/4000/6000/7000 Satcoms to SwiftBroadband, “ says Wilson. “These customers can now use our STC as the basis to activate the CNX-200’s Wi-Fi capability.”

About Banyan Avionics:

The Banyan avionics team offers comprehensive avionics installations, repairs, modifications, and is an authorized dealer for all major avionics manufacturers.  In addition to High Speed Data solutions, they have extensive installation experience with In-Flight Entertainment upgrades, Glass Cockpits, LPV/WAAS upgrades, Flight Management Systems, Satellite TV, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems, Multifunction Displays, Satellite Communications, Iridium, and Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems.

Banyan’s avionics department is certified as both an FAA and EASA repair station and has also earned repair station designations for Argentina, Brazil, Bermuda and Venezuela.  Banyan also offers a mobile avionics team to provide services on location.  For more information on Banyan’s other services, visit banyanair.com.

Money Saving Promotion for private pilots to enjoy “another day, another island”

To promote the variety and diversity of its 700 archipelagic chain to private flyers, The Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board has announced a creative, unique and value driven promotion that invites private pilots to realize real savings while Island hopping and experiencing a multiplicity of The Bahamas Islands.

The Promotion, created by BOIPB for its member properties, provides a $150.00 instant credit savings on a two night consecutive stay at any participating hotel for those general aviation pilots traveling to multiple Out Islands on the same flight itinerary.

“Private Pilots have a better opportunity than most to visit more than one Island at a time, and have expressed to us that they enjoy the experience of, “Another Day, Another Island,” and so we wanted to make it even easier for them to enjoy venturing out,” Valery Brown-Alce, Sr. Director Marketing, BOIPB said.”

She said that by visiting more than one Island, the private pilot is exposed to the different culture of each Island. “One of the (BOIPB) Board’s key goals this year is to get more pilots exploring further into the Central and Southern Bahama Islands – Islands like Acklins, Crooked Island, San Salvador and Long Island to name a few,” Brown-Alce said.

The promotion is valid for bookings now through June 26^th and for travel through June 30^th, with no black-out dates.  The offer is redeemable by a licensed private pilot only.  At check-in the pilot should present a copy of the Bahamas customs stamped C7A receipt in the name of the traveling party.

The offer is limited to one instant savings per reservation and a maximum of two rooms per reservation; it is not combinable with any other fuel credit offers, for group reservations or private flights operated by resort properties.

Chief Aviation Specialist for The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Greg Rolle, said that “Private Pilots love exploring the less travelled Islands of The Bahamas, and it is visionary of The Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board to create this money saving opportunity to benefit, Island hopping general aviators, ”

“This is yet another indication of The BMOTA and its marketing partners making it easier for private pilots to fly in and around The Islands Of The Bahamas,” Rolle said.

Find out more about Banyan Air Service can help you plan your next trip to the Bahamas with the Bahamas Travel Assistance Page.

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About The Islands of The Bahamas:

Life in The Islands Of The Bahamas is as culturally diverse as it is vibrantly beautiful, from the carefree Out Islands to exciting Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island. With world-class diving and fishing, gorgeous turquoise water and miles of picture perfect beaches the 700 islands of the Bahamas offer visitors the opportunity to do everything or nothing at all. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call: 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. To purchase one-of-a-kind items and mementos from the Bahamas, visit www.eshopbahamas.com.