Clay Lacy Aviation to Equip Fleet with Aircell High Speed Internet
Program Will Bring High Speed Internet Service to More Than 60 Aircraft; Represents World's First Selection by Part 135 Charter Operator
Jul 14, 2009
PRNewswire
VAN NUYS, Calif., and BROOMFIELD, Colo.

Clay Lacy Aviation, headquartered in Van Nuys, California, and Aircell, the world's leading provider of airborne communications, announce that Clay Lacy Aviation will install Aircell High Speed Internet service throughout its fleet of charter and managed aircraft. It is the world's first fleet selection of the Aircell High Speed Internet system by a Part 135 charter operator. System installations begin this month with the retrofit program expected to be complete by mid-2010.

Brian Kirkdoffer, President of Clay Lacy Aviation, said, "With the Aircell High Speed Internet system, Clay Lacy will deliver the most frequently-requested onboard service and become the first Part 135 charter operator in the world to do so. The system allows travelers to use personal laptops, PDAs and Smartphones to surf the web, send & receive e-mail with attachments, transfer large files, stream video, use a corporate VPN, and access other Internet-based services in flight. We recognize that business aircraft are an important tool for increasing productivity and full Internet connectivity is a crucial element of that. Everyone we've spoken to about this new system has reacted positively and we believe it is yet another example of Clay Lacy's commitment to providing the highest level of safety, service and value to its owners and charter customers."

Aviation legend Clay Lacy pioneered jet charter when he brought the first Learjet to the West coast over 40 years ago. Today, Clay Lacy Aviation operates one of the largest fleets of jet charter aircraft in the world, with over 20 different types of aircraft -- including Gulfstreams, Challengers, Falcons, Hawkers, Embraers, Citations and Learjets.

Ed Hogan, a Clay Lacy customer and owner of the two Gulfstream 450s that will be first to receive the new system, stated, "This is the same fundamental service that has become so popular with commercial airlines and their passengers. Its reliability and functionality has been tested and proven by literally thousands of consumers. Being fully functional with a laptop and BlackBerry turns the aircraft into a 500+ mph office. This service will significantly enhance productivity and should be extremely popular with owners and charter customers alike."

John Wade, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Aircell, said, "Being in an airplane with limited or no connectivity is quickly becoming as frustrating as being in a hotel without those services. Clay Lacy Aviation's program to make the Aircell High Speed Internet system available to passengers will set a new standard in the charter and aircraft management industry. We're very proud to have our system selected by such a well-known and respected organization."

As part of each installation, the aircraft will receive an Aircell Axxess cabin system with an ATG 4000 High Speed Internet unit. This integrated, open architecture communications suite provides high speed Internet service via the Aircell Network, as well as multiple channels of worldwide voice and narrowband data service via the Iridium satellite network.

The proprietary Aircell High Speed Internet system is the only solution in business aviation that provides a true high speed Internet experience that equals what passengers are accustomed to on the ground, while being small and light enough to fit on virtually any business aircraft. It is up to 56 times faster than a traditional dial-up connection. Aircell's High Speed Internet unit for business aviation (the ATG 4000) weighs just 11 pounds and its two belly-mounted antennae weigh just 1.25 pounds each.

  NOTES TO EDITORS:
  --  A high-res photograph accompanies this announcement and is available
      for download at the following link:
      http://www.aircell.com/files/graphics/Aircell-ClayLacy.jpg.

  --  Photo caption: "Clay Lacy Aviation to become first Part 135 operator
      in the world to equip fleet with Aircell High Speed Internet. Company
      executives on hand to commemorate the agreement are Clay Lacy, Founder
      & Chairman, Clay Lacy Aviation (center holding laptop); Brian
      Kirkdoffer, President, Clay Lacy Aviation (front left); Ed Hogan,
      Aircraft Owner and Clay Lacy Customer (back left); Jim Lauer,
      Avionics, Clay Lacy Aviation, (back right); and John Wade, Senior Vice
      President & General Manager, Aircell (front right)."

  About Clay Lacy Aviation

Founded in 1968 by world renowned and record holding pilot Clay Lacy, Clay Lacy Aviation operates one of the largest fleets of managed and charter aircraft in the World, and is respected throughout the aviation and business world as the leader in executive jet charter and management services.

Clay Lacy Aviation operates FBOs in Los Angeles-VNY and Seattle-BFI offering charter, aircraft management, aircraft sales, a Class IV FAA Maintenance Repair Station (BKER301L), aircraft interior refurbishment and completions as well as aviation consulting services, with additional aircraft bases in Denver, Santa Monica, and West Palm Beach. Clay Lacy Aviation is also a leader in aerial cinematography utilizing its proprietary Astrovision technology to film over 3000 air-to-air photo flights including more than 150 film and television productions.

About Aircell

Aircell is the world's leading provider of airborne communications and a single-source, turnkey provider of equipment, service, and technical support. With a global sales and support presence, its products are offered by virtually every fixed- and rotor-wing airframe manufacturer in business aviation, and are installed aboard the world's four largest fractional ownership fleets. As winner of an exclusive FCC frequency license in 2006, Aircell has built a revolutionary new mobile broadband network for commercial and business aviation. In 2008, the Aircell Network and its inflight portal, known as Gogo , revolutionized the commercial airline passenger flight experience by delivering a robust Internet experience at 35,000 feet. The Aircell Network provides airlines with connectivity to operations and a path to enhanced cabin services such as video, audio, television and more. A similar feature set is available to Business aircraft operators. Aircell has facilities in Broomfield, Colorado, and Itasca, Illinois. Aircell's vision is to give everyone the ability to stay In Touch, In Flight . For more information about Aircell, please visit www.aircell.com.

2009 Aircell. All rights reserved. Aircell, Gogo, and In Touch, In Flight are registered trademarks of Aircell Business Aviation Services LLC or its affiliates. Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

  Press Contacts
  Tom Myers
  Director, Marketing
  Aircell
  Office +1.303.301.3237
  tmyers@aircell.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: Aircell

CONTACT: Tom Myers, Director, Marketing, Aircell, +1-303-301-3237,
tmyers@aircell.com

Web Site: http://www.aircell.com/

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