ACI Jet Completes First Innovative Advantage Challenger 604 Inflight Entertainment Upgrade

ACI JetNewsroom

With more than 90% of Challenger 604 aircraft flying today still featuring standard definition displays with standard definition video sources, Innovative Advantage’s Audio & Video Distribution Service (AVDS) kit, sold and installed by ACI Jet, delivers end-to-end high-definition video to the cabin, with wireless streaming available.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA (November 10, 2020) – California-based business jet maintenance, repair and overhaul provider, ACI Jet, announced today that the company has completed the first installation of HD video conversion hardware on a Challenger 604 aircraft from its Bombardier Authorized Service Facility (ASF). The hardware, called the AVDS Node Box and developed by Washington-based Innovative Advantage, Inc., serves as a bridge to bring in HD sources, stream audio and video to mobile devices and, in this instance, was connected to brand new HD Rosen Displays throughout the cabin.

The company completed the installation of IA’s AVDS Node Box on a 2005 Challenger 604 during a visit which included other cabin upgrades and modifications. For inflight connectivity, the existing Gogo Biz classic ATG system was upgraded to Gogo’s Advance L5 4G internet, enabling Gogo Vision on the newly installed Innovative Advantage system. Within the cabin, two brand new HD displays were added, replacing the existing Baker standard definition LCD monitors.

“This Innovative Advantage IFE backbone unlocks something totally unique in that it offers an incremental approach to upgrading your cabin experience,” stated Brian Ford, Avionics Manager for ACI Jet. “The system is capable of anything as small as a single device upgrade for high-definition video up through a multi-device, multi-hub cabin management system, and anything and everything in between.”

The “Large cabin. Tiny, low-resolution displays?” Campaign

Following successful completion of the installation, ACI Jet launched a new campaign geared at addressing the more than 300 Challenger 604 aircraft that, in 2020, are still flying with standard definition video devices and displays. Dubbed “Large cabin. Tiny, low-resolution displays?,” the campaign aims to educate Challenger owners and operators regarding their options when it comes to inflight entertainment by highlighting all that is great about the airframe, and why it doesn’t make sense to diminish the experience by ignoring what is now a very affordable cabin upgrade.

“The aircraft owners we represent almost universally demand that the finer touches be accounted for when servicing their aircraft,” stated Dave Jensen, ACI Jet’s SVP of Aircraft Maintenance. “Whether coming out of paint or meeting with interior designers to ensure that every pattern, every material and the sources that we are using meet their exact specifications, they have an eye for detail. Astonishingly, standard definition video on aging, small displays is often the first impression when boarding, and our clients are recognizing this. They now have a turnkey option to make their inflight entertainment experience match their exacting standards, and it happens to be quite affordable.”

ABOUT INNOVATIVE ADVANTAGE

Innovative Advantage, Inc. manufactures a leading edge, high-bandwidth network system that delivers high definition audio-visual content along with Gigabit Ethernet over fiber. Over 1400 aircraft are flying with the AVDS backbone. G150, G280, G450/550, G650, Falcon, Global, A319/320/330 and BBJ/747/787. 4K/HD/SD video is distributed around the aircraft on a fault tolerant fiber optic loop and available at every seat or cabin monitor in the aircraft.
More info on www.in-advantage.com

ABOUT ACI JET

Headquartered on California’s Central Coast since its founding in 1998, ACI Jet is a recognized leader in private aviation services. Led by founder and avid aviator William “Bill” Borgsmiller, ACI Jet’s aviation ecosystem includes aircraft ground support services, charter services, and aircraft management. ACI Jet ensures its clients’ mission success through the implementation of the latest aviation safety technologies and a leadership team comprised of Aviators Doing Aviation, aviation enthusiasts who know aviation from the inside out. More information can be found by visiting us online at www.acijet.com or on social media @flyacijet.

Learn more about this system, installation and support here.