Hot Spots Take to the Air
Jim Stinehelfer, President of AirCell Inc

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The revolution of wireless technology is taking to the air. Private aircraft and airlines are evolving to allow more and more use of personal communications devices by passengers inflight. Certain previously banned devices (intentional radiators) are emerging as non threating to the aircraft. Personal digital assitants, PC's with WiFi or Bluetooth and even cell phones are making there way into the skies. The talk covered the various technologies and the special challenges we face in bring these services to commercial levels.

Jim Stinehelfer, President of AirCell Inc, delivers the opening address to the 58th VTC

Questions to Jim Stinehelfer after the talk, with Steering Committee Chair James Irvine in the background

Jim Stinehelfer is President of AirCell Inc. Aircell has developed a proprietary technology leveraged off of analog cellular and provides products and services to over 1400 private and commercial aircraft today. AirCell operates the largest cellular network in the United States in partnership with 24 existing licensed cellular providers and is the only company authorized by the FCC to use cellular technology in the air. Prior to AirCell, Jim was President of the Wireless Division of ICG Communications, President and CEO of NovaNet Communications and had a 22 year carear with Hewlett Packard. He has a BSEE from Stanford and an MBA from the University of Santa Clara. He is married to Ann Marie and has five children. He is a private pilot and spends the winters skiing in the Rockies and the summers racing sports car with the Sports Car Cub of America (when he is not working).