Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Leonardo AW119 Koala, AW119 Ke, and AW119 Kx

Matt Thurber

Astronautics Corporation of America has developed an aftermarket retrofit to add its AeroSync Mission airborne connectivity system to EMS operator Life Link III’s Leonardo AW119s.
AeroSync Mission holds technical standard order authorization and can connect up to 10 client devices. Power output adjusts automatically to match various global cellular systems and carrier data services. On the ground, AeroSync’s Wi-Fi access point extends up to 400 feet.
Life Link III uses the clinical scribe program Playback Health for clinical documentation, and AeroSync Mission facilitates transmission of this information. Other applications include patient data exchange and telehealth, and the system can also provide backup connectivity if the helicopter’s primary communications channels fail. By transmitting clinical data during patient transport, AeroSync can help medical teams coordinate care and prepare for the patient’s arrival.
“For air ambulance operators, reliable connectivity isn’t a convenience, it’s a critical enabler of patient care,” said Matthew Frei, director of connected solutions at Astronautics. “Installing AeroSync Mission on Life Link III’s AW119 fleet removes one of the biggest barriers to digital care in the air, delivering continuous, secure connectivity without adding complexity for flight crews or maintenance teams.”

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

AeroSync Mission Airborne Connectivity System Available for Leonardo AW119

Device enables secure communications for EMS helicopter crews

AeroSync Mission holds technical standard order authorization and can connect up to 10 client devices. 

AeroSync Mission Available for Leonardo AW119

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Verticon 2026

In this article

Leonardo AW119 Series

Astronautics

Leonardo

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