AirCell, creator of the world's first airborne cellular phone, is predicting that this year's NBAA show will be its best ever. Over the past 12 months the Colorado-based company has moved from full FCC approval of its operating system (in December 1988) to becoming a major force in the airborne communications market.

AirCell's phones are the only cellular phones FAA-certified for airborne use. The company's growing network of cellular sites, now in excess of 60, is over half-way to achieving its goal of complete coverage of all major U.S. airways by mid-2000. To achieve this, AirCell estimates that it will require 110 sites.

"It's gratifying to see how quickly the market is taking shape," said Aircell marketing VP Geoff Hope. "It's no secret that our network build-up hasn't been as rapid as we had initially hoped, having been hampered by a variety of roadblocks created by our competitors.

"But thanks to the assistance of our supporters and favorable decisions by the FCC, those roadblocks have come down--and we can now proceed with site installations at an accelerated pace," Hope said.

At NBAA AirCell will be detailing its expanded network of 250 authorized dealers, with another 50 due to join before the end of the year. New products include a multi-channel unit to allow users to install four individual lines into their aircraft, permitting phone, fax or internet access. A PCMCIA modem card will also be available for laptop users, as will a new range of phone styles and colors.

The launch of the first product to use AirCell technology under license is also approaching. This will be Garmin International's new NavTalk Pilot with AirCell On Board, available from December 1999. The NavTalk Pilot will integrate the mapping features, electronic HIS, VNAV indicator and large LCD display of Garmin's existing GPS II Pilot system and AirCell's cellular phone technology.

The two combine into a portable GPSD/airborne cellular phone approved for use on the ground and in the air. It will allow pilots to get navigation information without investing in several different phones.