From LinkedIn. Not sure if this is a new pg or one that has just been dormant until now?
ASiQ Pty Ltd
4 followers
1d • Edited • 1 day ago
Was HM Queen Elizabeth II the first airline passenger to text inflight?
The first passenger text message sent off a commercial airliner took place 30 years ago on the 18th of February 1992 onboard a QANTAS Boeing 747-400 (VH-OJJ). The aircraft was equipped with a VIP suite and the flight was between London and Sydney being the first leg of the Australian Royal Tour.
QANTAS were aware of ASI’s inflight PC installed on a private Boeing 737 and approached us to create an airline SATCOM version to facilitate personal communications during the tour.
The system manufactured by ASI was designated ACAMS. The Aircraft Communication and Management System provided the worlds first inflight passenger messaging service acknowledged by the WAEA (now APEX) below.
In 1992 it was called a Teletext. The text could be sent to a computer or converted to a FAX. This was 10 months prior to the evolution of SMS.
Handwritten text messages were typed into the ACAMS and sent via the new INMARSAT satellite constellation to the SiTA terrestrial airline network and delivered to the Palace. QANTAS confirmed all messages were received by the Palace and ultimately ACAMS was installed on thirty-one QANTAS B747-400 aircraft.
Following this historic tour, ASI replaced the ACAMS prototype on VH-OJJ which now holds pride of place in ASI’s museum.
That Royal flight launched ASI on a 30-year journey which resulted in another recent milestone in aviation history. The ultimate inflight free texting solution called fflya.
Last month ASI successfully concluded flight tests, of the world first “Bluetooth” inflight free texting platform on a Wizz Air A321.
The Wizz app connected via Bluetooth to a single router, which transmitted via a cabin window antenna to the Iridium Next Low Earth Orbit satellites. Over 10,000 text messages were sent, paving the way for millions to enjoy.
When I reflect on the past 30 years, I realise what’s so appealing about aviation. It will challenge you every step of the way, and just when you think you have it under control, Murphy pops up and does his best, but it has never stopped us as an industry from progressing.
Just look at the attached list of pioneering vendors. They all have two things in common, perseverance and a launch airline prepared to put their hand up.
As we continue to navigate through challenging times and strive to improve the passenger experience and enhance airline operations, we should always be grateful to those airlines prepared to back programs like fflya and ACAMS, and the brilliant engineers who despite the odds persevere.
I think a quote from Edison sums up ASI’s 30 years. “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”
Makes 10,001 so sweet.
Ron Chapman - CEO and Founder - ASI Group #airline #QANTAS #Queen #sita
