In-flight HTML pages, entertainment planned -
(... the internet at 30,000 feet)

March 21, 2000 IRVINE, Calif - A new agreement between Sextant In-Flight Systems and Den-O-Tech (DTI) will eventually put travelers on line while in flight. Sextant and DTI will develop software that allows airlines to add Intranet services to their interactive in-flight entertainment systems, along with off-aircraft services including e-mail and Internet browsing.

Initially, passengers will be able to browse cached - or stored - Web sites that the airline selects. Available services will include airline, hotel and rental car reservations, as well as a wide variety of travel and shopping related services. Enhanced communication services will include e-mail and on-screen display of fax messages. As off-aircraft communication systems increase bandwidth - higher speed data transfer rates via satellite or terrestrial-based networks - airline passengers will be able to surf the web, and conduct internet transactions just as they do on their home or office computer systems. DTI and Sextant IFS will begin development of software for Sextant IFS' new Advanced Multimedia Entertainment Server (AM-ES). This fully digital file server stores audio and video programming, games, travel and destination information, a wide variety of airline selected Intranet sites, and additional catalog shopping, entertainment and flight information content.

The DTI/Sextant IFS software application suite will enable airlines to provide highly customized, continuously updated environments for passengers to easily access the service. DTI, based in Montreal, Canada, is a software solutions developer for embedded platforms including In-Flight Entertainment systems. Founded in 1995, DTI has partnered with software content providers, such as Infogrames, to deliver highly entertaining games and services to the growing in-flight entertainment and communications industry. Sextant In-Flight Systems, based in Irvine, California, manufactures, tests and certifies commercial and corporate aviation products including: interactive passenger video entertainment systems; multi-channel, distributed passenger video systems; standard body aircraft overhead distributed video and audio systems; WorldView and cabin video systems for passenger entertainment, flight safety and aircraft security; and Passenger Control Units with ambient noise canceling capabilities.

Sextant In-Flight Systems also provides complete turnkey maintenance service programs through its global customer service network. In addition, the company manages a joint venture with Harris Corporation, named LiveTV, which manufactures a direct broadcast satellite television system that is being introduced into revenue service with three airlines.