Greenwich AeroGroup and its affiliates have agreed to sell, support and install the Iridium OpenPort-Aero broadband aviation communications platform on business aviation aircraft, including helicopters. It expects installations to begin in the third quarter of 2012. LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways, which introduced the system to airline passenger services several years ago, has also signed a distribution agreement with Greenwich to support the move into business aviation.

Iridium OpenPort-Aero is more than just a delivery system for high-definition TV in flight. It is also a mobile broadband system that works worldwide, from the middle of the Pacific Ocean to the Poles–something only Iridium’s network of low-Earth orbit satellites offers.

The airborne system includes lightweight electronics and an antenna with a small footprint. The equipment is ideal for business aircraft that carry passengers who must visit remote areas of the planet and wish to stay connected in flight.

Greenwich AeroGroup (Stand 1131) intends to provide initial certification, sales and installation of the OpenPort-Aero devices at its Atlantic Aero location in Greensboro, North Carolina, as well as at its Western Aircraft base in Boise, Idaho, and Summit Aviation in Middletown, Delaware.