TrueNorth is rapidly becoming one of the better-known cabin communications specialists. Here at the NBAA show, the Canadian firm ran up another flag with the announcement that it has been selected by global cabin completions giant Jet Aviation to provide its full cabin telecommunications package for high-end interior outfitting.
TrueNorth’s Simphonē OpenCabin system provides Wi Fi, high-speed data integration, fax, high-definition voice and corded and cordless handsets with credit card readers. It also offers worldwide Iridium, Inmarsat and high-speed Ku-band satcom, all available on aircraft types ranging from the Airbus ACJ line and Boeing’s BBJ to large-cabin types from Bombardier, Dassault, Embraer and Gulfstream.
A software-centric system, the Simphonē (pronounced “symphony”) OpenCabin system is designed for high reliability, ease of operator control and versatile communications capabilities. By comparison with other systems that are not software-centric, Simphonē is lighter, less expensive to install and operate and relatively easy to upgrade with software changes.
“With their experience in serving some of the world’s most demanding aircraft operators, we’re delighted that Jet Aviation has chosen TrueNorth as their airborne telecom partner,” said TrueNorth president and CEO Mark van Berkel.
Also at NBAA 2011, TrueNorth has unveiled the TrueNorth Stylus, which the company said is “business aviation’s first multi-lingual handset.” Stylus incorporates TrueNorth’s intuitive, one-button interface; high-definition voice quality for near-broadband quality voice communications; wired and wireless configuration options; and personalization options that include custom materials to match the cabin décor.
Stylus can be programmed to operate in any language, including those with dedicated character sets such as Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and Russian.
“Even though we realize that English is the international language of aviation, we also understand that business aircraft operators–the actual users of airborne telecommunications systems–may be more comfortable and more productive using a telecom system with an operating system that works on their own terms,” said van Berkel.
Van Berkel also announced that it is now an EASA Part 145 approved organization, complementing its Transport Canada and FAA status as an approved manufacturer for aeronautical products and an approved maintenance organization.
“As a world company serving the elite operators of large-cabin intercontinental aircraft, we see this as a important step in bringing the quality, reliability and performance of our Simphonē OpenCabin system and other products to an even broader audience, said van Berkel.