News
Satcom Direct celebrates 20 years at ABACE

Responding to the diversifying connectivity needs of the business aviation sector, SD has accomplished several major milestones since ABACE 2016, including its first foray into the flight operations management space. In May 2016, it launched SD Pro, the aviation software platform that helps flight departments keep real-time synchronization with the aircraft through a single dashboard that monitors connectivity, flight scheduling and tracking, as well as maintenance tracking. As one of the first companies to recognize the time and budgetary benefits of synching aircraft and flight departments, SD also partnered with Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. to incorporate trip planning and trip support through SD Pro. Further infrastructure investment throughout the year has also positioned SD as the only connectivity supplier to offer a complete end-to-end military grade cybersecurity network for business aviation through its Private Network services.

Three major acquisitions in 2016 added further value for SD’s clients. In February SD acquired COMSAT, Inc., bringing the ownership of two Satellite Earth Stations, and new infrastructure capabilities to the business. AircraftLogs.com was acquired in August, adding web-based aircraft flight scheduling and tax reporting features into SD Pro. In November, the acquisition of hardware manufacturer TrueNorth Avionics expanded the company’s avionics and connectivity products portfolio, enabling SD to offer customers a nose to tail solution for all information, connectivity and entertainment needs.

To round off the year, SD will launch its second certified training course, aeroCNCT, at this year’s ABACE. Designed for crewmembers who need to become more familiar with all aspects of cabin connectivity, this is the aviation industry’s first crewmember connectivity certification.

“Asia was one of our first international offices; the market has supported us, and grown with us, so we are delighted to begin our twentieth anniversary celebrations at the Shanghai event. As our product range diversifies, we are well placed to offer our clients an even greater range of products to improve and enhance their fight experience,” said Nathan Andrews, regional director, Asia Pacific.

From its groundbreaking beginnings when SD launched the patented Global One Number technology it has grown into a global business supporting business aviation, heads of state, government and military aircraft. Founded in 1997 by company chairman and CEO, Jim Jensen, and originally based in the Satcom Direct “beach house” with a team of six employees offering one product, the business now employs a team of nearly 400 worldwide, runs 16 offices, and offers a wide range of connectivity solutions. The company is now headquartered in a 60,000 square foot purpose-built, state-of-the-art, building in Melbourne, Florida. The campus is also home to Terracom Direct, the company’s secure data storage centre that supports the SD Private Network.

“From the seed of an idea we have pioneered inflight connectivity for the international business aviation community. Thanks to my solid management team, who are bursting with talent and innovative ideas, we continue to go from strength to strength,” says Jensen about SD. “Since 1997, connectivity has become an integral part of the business aviation sector. It is no longer just about connecting a phone to a phone; to succeed you must be innovative, create strong partner relationships and understand the needs of the user. Passengers need reliable high-speed data access, crew need connected cabin management systems, and the flight deck must maximize technology to be synchronized with flight departments. The needs of the market drive our team to continually create new products which we believe will improve the aviator and passenger experience,” concludes Jensen.