Ventura Air Services is working toward obtaining FAA STC approval for the installation of a SmartSky 4G LTE system on the Bombardier Learjet 55. According to the aircraft charter, management, and maintenance firm, there are more than 100 Learjet 55s currently in service in the U.S. The type is also the primary aircraft operated by Ventura Air, which is based at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York.

“As a safety-driven, customer-focused service, we’re eager to begin tapping into the benefits of SmartSky 4G LTE, so our role in the STC process is our way of accelerating that goal,” said Ventura Air CEO Nick Tarascio. “SmartSky delivers the high-performance in-flight connectivity demanded by both the cockpit and cabin.”

The SmartSky 4G LTE system received its first STC in January (for the Cessna Citation Excel) and parts manufacturer approval in March. SmartSky expects additional STCs to begin to be available this summer, which will coincide with the formal service launch of its air-to-ground network coverage in the continental U.S. Currently, more than 60 percent of SmartSky’s planned network of 200 towers is either online or in the final stages of deployment.