EMS Sky Connect Launches In-flight Forté AirMail

EMS Sky Connect introduced the Forté AirMail service, describing it as assuring passengers "pole-to-pole, anywhere on the globe, unfettered in-flight e-mail access." The system uses the Iridium satcom network to provide e-mail access to any Wi-Fi-enabled smart phone or PDA. "We tested every device we could find and everything we tested worked. We had as many as 10 devices running simultaneously, and every person was getting e-mail in less than a minute," said Sky Connect general manager Steve Silverman. The default mode monitors the connected Wi-Fi devices and opens the low-data-rate Iridium connection when an e-mail action is detected. The connection remains active until it is manually disconnected or a pre-set timeout has occurred. Once the connection has been disabled, it remains off for a minimum pre-set interval, and the connection may be re-established as needed. Automated and manual modes allow the operator and user to control air-time use and thereby manage costs. EMS Sky Connect expects to have an amended supplementary type certificate before the end of the year and will begin shipping kits in the first quarter of 2010.