(13 May 2009 9:20 pm)

MUMBAI: Rockwell Collins’ Tailwind 500 and Tailwind 550 multi-region Direct Broadcast Satellite TV (DBS TV) systems will now offer regional free-to-air TV access for India and Russia.

The company’s Tailwind 500/550 satellite TV systems will offer business jet travelers coverage for these regions.

Rockwell Collins’ Tailwind 500 system is a multi-regional tail mount airborne TV system, developed and targeted specifically for the super-mid to large business aircraft. Tailwind 550 is a fuselage mount TV system designed for larger VIP business aircraft such as the BBJ and ACJ.

Both systems allow the aircraft to receive DBS television signals that provide passengers with more than 475 channels of satellite video and audio programming in multiple geographic regions, including the United States, Europe, the Middle East and now India and Russia.

The company adds that its service offers a strong reception in all defined areas and regions. It also claims to offer good performance in regions with poor signals like the Middle East and Russia.

Rockwell Collins VP, GM information management systems Steve Timm says, "This is an important milestone for Rockwell Collins as we continue to make our Tailwind TV solutions attractive to customers in more regions."

The expanded coverage for India is available immediately while the Russian coverage will be available from August.