Flying Colours (Stand 460) recently completed two Satcom Direct Router (SDR) installations on Bombardier aircraft. The first installation was part of a Global 5000 cabin refurbishment project while the second was part of a new Global 5000 completion for an undisclosed Middle Eastern owner. Officials announced that the aircraft will return to the MRO’s Peterborough, Ontario, Canada facility in early 2017 to install the supplemental SD Wi-Fi hub.

SDR enables text and voice calling on passengers’ smart phones while in the air. It also optimizes bandwidth for internet connectivity. While Flying Colours has been an SD products reseller for three years, the company estimates that more SDR installations will come online as more large-cabin and long-range aircraft move through its facility.

“The SDR is a very clever piece of technology that enhances cabin communications, information provision and entertainment options,” said Flying Colours’ executive v-p Eric Gillespie. “With its ability to adapt to existing and new harness wiring, it is a product that we are advising clients to install to future proof their connectivity needs. The addition of the SD Wi-Fi hub is an intelligent way of maximizing the full range of SD services, ensuring powerful bandwidth and consistent connectivity through the cabin.”

Here at MEBAA, Flying Colours will be promoting its technology solutions, which highlight the company’s ability to offer completions and retrofits on a variety of aircraft models. The MRO announced its collaboration with Inairvation just last year, making it the North American installation facility for pre-engineered retrofit solutions while incorporating the CMS/IFE from Lufthansa Technik with new side-ledges manufactured by F/LIST. With facilities in Canada, the U.S. and Singapore, Flying Colours offers green completions, interior refurbishment and modifications, heavy maintenance, exterior paint, special-mission modifications and installations.