In November 2023, we achieved a significant milestone for the world of business aviation connectivity with our rollout of over-the-air (OTA) system software updates for Gogo AVANCE. Replacing the manual and time-consuming USB kit method for supplying system software updates, AVANCE customers can now deliver touch-free updates to their system software for one aircraft or an entire fleet, from anywhere in the world, over the air. OTA debuted alongside AVANCE 4.4.0, which quickly became the fastest adopted AVANCE software release in Gogo history, a clear testament to its success.
We sat down with Gogo customers and in-house experts to learn more about the benefits of this groundbreaking innovation for current and future Gogo AVANCE customers.
OTA enables us to optimize our availability for our customers, which is the biggest thing we look for in our operations. In today’s world, connectivity is a go or no-go item. We aren’t going to embark on over an hour flight without connectivity. Me being able to multitask and have an update going in the backend on the iPad gives availability back to us to keep the connectivity up and running and let our airplanes keep operating.
I see time saving and management of the aircraft as the biggest benefits of Gogo over-the-air system software updates. This is a lot easier than some of the other physical updates we have to do on the aircraft for navigation, charts, engines, etc. Compared to the Gogo system updates (that were previously done manually using a USB stick), now, we can save time in and out of the aircraft with manual labor. With Gogo DASH, the system updates are very user friendly, and you have visibility into the entire process.
OTA requires very minimal effort from me. If you’re working within a group of technicians or within a flight department, you don’t have to keep going back to a single source and see if it’s done yet. The access within DASH so you’re able to get to it on your own is tremendous.
Having availability through the Gogo Cloudport to update wirelessly takes another 20 minutes off the work timeframe to execute the update via the laptop or iPad because I don’t need to pull a panel off and tether to the aircraft with an ethernet cord. The efficiency and the time savings of OTA is tremendous for us.
I like the fact that if we need to do an update, we can do it remotely. Even if it starts and stops, there’s no worry. (The update will resume once reconnected to a Terrestrial Modem or Cloudport.)
One of our BETA customers even started the download of a remote system software update through OTA while the aircraft was in California. Before the aircraft took off, it had partially downloaded the update. Once it was back with weight on wheels, the flight department crew pulled up the aircraft in DASH and could see the progression of the download again without even touching it. You initiate the update and it’s hands-off until it’s ready to go.
OTA system software updates are available now to new and existing AVANCE customers. If you already have AVANCE, open Gogo DASH and check which software version you’re running—if it’s 4.3.0 or newer, utilize a Gogo Cloudport or a Terrestrial Modem (TM) and access the latest software version through OTA in minutes. If the software version you have is 4.2.0 or earlier, you can get to 4.3.0 via updating sequentially through USB kits and execute the remaining updates in a few easy steps. As a value-add for those that are existing Gogo customers with Gogo Vision and SmartShield, you receive a free Cloudport. Reach out to our connectivity experts to take advantage of the offer.
If you don’t have Gogo AVANCE yet, find your solution today or contact our connectivity experts and enjoy OTA system software updates exclusively for Gogo AVANCE.
