Rockwell Collins’ Tailwind 500 completes successful first flight
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (July 29, 2004) - Rockwell Collins’ Tailwind 500 multiregional satellite television system has successfully completed initial flight tests onboard
a Challenger 604 aircraft. The series of flights were designed to test the reception of the new Tailwind 500 system in adverse
conditions. The installation and flight tests took place at JetCorp Tech Service Center in St. Louis, Mo.
“We are extremely pleased with the positive feedback from this first Tailwind 500 installation,” said Tim Rayl, senior director,
Airshow Systems for Rockwell Collins. “The solid system performance matches the predictions from our extensive testing and
further validates the superior multi-regional technology provided by the Tailwind 500.”
Ron Hainsworth, Jet Corp’s Avionics Sales Manager concurred, stating, “If you are looking for widest worldwide airborne satellite
TV coverage available, the Tailwind 500 is clearly the best solution in the market.” JetCorp will finalize the STC on the
Tailwind 500 system for dealer availability beginning this fall.
Rockwell Collins has multiple installations currently in process on various executive business jets as well as a backlog of
orders to be delivered in the coming months.
The Tailwind 500 is truly multiregional, yet specifically designed to meet the size and weight demands of private aircraft.
The system monitors geographic location via the aircraft’s on-board navigational equipment, using advanced regional auto-detection
technology to switch television receivers in order to acquire new regional signals and keep content flowing. It operates
in the air and on the ground in all regions where Ku-band digital broadcast satellite service is available. Regional availability
is dependent upon licensing agreements with content aggregators and distributors.
Airshow led the way in the aviation industry as the first company to license airborne TV content in 1997. With the launch
of the Tailwind 500, Rockwell Collins continues this leadership by providing four content services in three principal regions
currently offered, and other content services are currently in development. The four principal services covering specific
geographic regions are: DIRECTV® for the contiguous United States (CONUS), TPS with free-to-air channels in Europe, and Nilesat
and Arabsat with free-to-air in the Middle East.
JetCorp is a full service fixed-base operation that offers full array of professional aircraft maintenance, fuel sales, interior
refurbishment, engineering and avionics services along with complete aircraft charter, sales and aircraft management services.
Additional information is available at www.jetcorp.com.
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a leader in the design, production and support of communications and aviation electronics
solutions for government and commercial customers worldwide. Additional information is available at www.rockwellcollins.com.
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