Airtext and WilsonAir Center Announce New FBOlink
Latest enhancement to Airtext airborne messaging program provides crew with direct, real time
communications channel to Customer Service Representatives

Las Vegas, NV: October 10, 2017—Airtext and WilsonAir Center are proud to
announce FBOlink, a new customer capability of digital communications between
the airplane and Fixed Base Operators (FBO) Customer Service Representatives
(CSR).  As the Beta launch customer, WilsonAir is initiating FBOlink at all four of its
locations in Memphis and Chattanooga,Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina and
William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas.

“FBOlink works simply and efficiently to enhance flight department communications,
safety and flexibility,” says WilsonAir founder Bob Wilson.  “For example, a text
message can be sent from the airplane to an FBO CSR terminal via the Iridium
network from anywhere in the world.  It can be generated at any point in the flight,
taking the burden off pilots who would previously have to wait to communicate over
radio until they were within VFR range.  At airports with terrain obstructions or very
long approach corridors where communications can be difficult, that has the
potential to add more items to the crew’s already long checklist during a critical
phases of flight.  With FBOlink, pilots can communicate in-flight changes to
itineraries or accommodate unique passenger requests during the relative calm of
enroute cruise segments when they aren’t as liable to be receiving vector for traffic
or frequency changes.”

“Safety of flight is a key benefit of FBOlink,” agrees David Gray, President of Send
Solutions. “As Bob said, it’s most obvious in a sterile cockpit environment during the

critical phases of flight during approach and landing. The clarity of communications
is definitely enhanced by conveying information in textual form.  When a pilot sends
a message via FBOlink, it incorporates the airplane’s tail number, aircraft type, and
his or her name along with a read receipt to confirm the message was received.  At
the CSR computer terminal, when that message is received, a “pop-up” box will
appear alerting the recipient to the FBOlink message.  In addition, an integrated
colored LED light will flash to annunciate pending messages.  The annunciation is
programmed to change colors or flash frequency after a predetermined time as
desired.  Messages are posted in chronological order and all CSRs can share the
airplane dialog until the airplane has landed.”

Gray and Wilson point to the efficient communications offered by FBOlink as an
obvious time and cost saver, as well. “Since it works virtually anywhere and allows
flight departments and FBO’s to better manage their customers’ needs, it
streamlines ground operations and turn times, too,” they added.