For the executive-on-the-move, for whom ‘time is money’, the office is almost an adjunct to his (or her) life. The office for the upwardly mobile executive is not bound by the four walls of a room. It is mobile, it is on the ground in cars, it is in the sky onboard business jets and on water in fancy yachts. Travel time is efficiently and productively used for work and leisure. The demands of the executive-on-themove are simple and yet challenging. He just needs to be ‘seamlessly connected’ to the office. What makes an ‘office in the sky’? Apart from communication and ambience that are key ingredients, Internet, mobile, satellite phone, fax, printer, television and modern audiovisual system for power point presentation up in the sky; are essential requirements for a ‘totally wired’ executive. And the executive cannot work just from the passenger seat, he must have a comfortable workspace, not cramped nor distracting.

Airframers are keeping these demands in mind and outfitters are busy fitting with office paraphernalia, all of which come at a price. Companies do not mind equipping their aircraft with the best of equipment, communication or ergonomics wise, as they see ‘value for money’. It is estimated that it may cost nearly $1 million ( Rs. 5.5 crore) to outfit a cabin with Internet connection, airborne television, fax and photocopying facility and the latest in audiovisual systems and equipment. According to industry reports, retrofitting higher-specification equipment now makes up 50 per cent of all new installations on business jets.

An example of how a company has the best of equipment, is Poonawalla Aviation, which has a Falcon 900 EX and a Cessna Citation Excel. It has invested additional $3 million ( Rs. 16.5 crore) in customising the Falcon with satellite communication (Satcom), convertible bed, dining table, DVD player, fax machine, king-size baggage compartment, etc. It can carry 14 passengers who can conduct business meetings onboard. Similarly, the company has invested about $1 million ( Rs. 5.5 crore) in its Citation aircraft with facilities such as DVD player and Aircell (airborne telephone with intercom). It has a capacity of eight seats for conducting business meetings.

Communication is the Key

All business communication, whether internal or external, must be done only through effective and reliable communication systems. In the forefront of providing such technology is Inmarsat, the global network satellite owner and operator. Inmarsat’s Swift64 service can deliver in-flight Internet connection speeds up to 64 kbps for a single channel or 128 kbps when two channels are bonded together. Even higher speeds are available using data compression techniques.

A Ku-band satellite connection provides relatively high-speed Internet voice and data transfer at 512 kbps per channel and 64 kbps integrated service digital network (ISDN) onboard a business jet, albeit the service pricing may be ‘sky-high’. The market is only opening up now and call rates will find their keel, like the way mobiles did over the years.

Cost of Net Connection

It is estimated that Internet connectivity at 40,000 feet begins at about $1,50,000 ( Rs. 82.5 lakh) for an onboard data terminal and rises by a few hundred thousand dollars after adding associated equipment such as an antenna, satcom transceiver, network file server, router, wireless hub, data ports and more. User charges vary depending on the internet service provider, but typically web surfing starts at about $10 ( Rs. 550) per minute. With the business aviation industry moving towards Iridium connectivity as the standard in satellite communications, it is said to be cost-effective and reliable.

Gulfstream customises products

Gulfstream, which has many tailored products for the executive-on-the move, has laid emphasis on environment, functionality and flexibility. As the aircraft is an extension of the home and office, the company takes care of both entertainment and communication. To meet the demanding needs of different passengers, it has intuitive user interface and controls. One of the essentials is reliability of the systems as they are to work at high altitudes.

It launched the ‘Office in the Sky’ concept on its Gulfstream IV aircraft with Satcom integration provided by Teledyne Controls. The Miltope e-server meets the ARINC 763 requirements and includes an ARINC 429 interface to the aircraft systems. In addition to handling all the e-mail requirements to and from the individual computers in use onboard the aircraft, it can also route graphical weather maps and navigation charts to the cockpit. While providing a database for the cockpit crew and the passengers, it is designed to handle the security requirements of the company as though it was at the home base of operations.

Gulfstream’s brand new ultra-long-range G650 is equipped with a multi-function printer, wireless local area network and satellite communications with wireless handsets. At an additional cost, broadband multi-link (BBML) high-speed Internet system is available as an option. Gulfstream designed its own iPhone/iPad application so that passengers can access the cabin management in-flight entertainment system.

The G650’s HD entertainment system is all controlled by touch screen, that includes a dual Blu-Ray/DVD/CD player with dual 160 GB media servers, two large HD LCD monitors and a stereo speaker system. The cabin audio system comes equipped with the latest noise-cancelling headphones from Bose with a headphone for each passenger seat.

Dassault’s Flight Cabin Management System

Dassault’s new flight cabin management system now introduced as standard fit, provides a more productive and enjoyable environment. Whether catching up on financial news or connecting with the office, the crystal clear monitors and rich HD sound enhances every minute of the executive’s time in the air.

The second-generation flight cabin management system, supplied by Rockwell Collins, places more controls and convenience in the hands of passengers, making the transition from the office to aircraft as seamless as possible. The system features a dual Blu-Ray player that lets one view on-demand HD media on wide-screen, touch-screen monitors (up to 19') placed to give an excellent view throughout the cabin. The Alto Aviation Sound System provides a true surround sound experience and all functions can be controlled from anywhere in the aircraft via an iPod Touch or iPhone. These include video playback, moving map, electronic window shades and adjustments to lights and temperature.

Embraer Executive Jets

Embraer Executive Jets customises jets for office. Its Lineage 1000 has five cabin zones for work, relaxation and privacy. The jet has state-of-the-art high-speed data Internet connection (2x432 kbps) with worldwide coverage, wi-fi network, fax/ printer and up to five, four-channel phone handsets.

Embraer’s Legacy 650 cabin management system offers seamless wi-fi connectivity with high speed Internet. Passengers can make and receive calls via VoIP, transfer files and even stream videos. Alternatively they can make calls via the aircraft’s Iridium satellite phone. Although not yet being delivered to customers, Embraer’s newest business jet, the 3,000 nm range Legacy 500, will have a full HD video system, surround audio, HD media input and a cabin Ethernet system that will be compatible with most consumer electronics. Voice and data connectivity will be via Imarsat, Aircell or Iridium.