VAI Member Spotlight: GIGAFLIGHT Connectivity, Wisconsin, USA Aircraft wiring, cables, and connectors provider uses a global network to provide rapid service for operators. While virtually every component in an aircraft is important, in today’s increasingly digital next-generation helicopters and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, reliance on strong, reliable wiring and cables has become paramount. Greendale, Wisconsin–based GIGAFLIGHT Connectivity takes this responsibility to heart. Ben Hackett, a US Air Force veteran and aerospace wiring and cable specialist, founded the company in 2017 to provide interconnect products designed to be identical or suitable alternatives to higher-cost versions on the market. Also, in recognizing the lack of a sense of urgency among other cable providers, Hackett saw an opportunity to stand out by focusing on customer service and support. Before starting GIGAFLIGHT Connectivity, Hackett focused on the design and production of aerospace wires, cables, and connectors for a variety of avionics equipment throughout his career. He served as a radio frequency (RF) engineering manager at ECS for nine years and as a product development and sales engineer at PIC Wire & Cable for nearly 19 years. Using this knowledge and expertise, and with the help of a network of industry professionals, Hackett brought GIGAFLIGHT to life. Cables and Connectors GIGAFLIGHT’s current product lines include data and Ethernet cables and connectors; RF coaxial cables and connectors; coaxial and triaxial video cables and connectors; custom composite cables; and aircraft cable assemblies. It also offers lightweight, low-loss quadrax Ethernet cables for reduced electromatic interference in airborne high-speed data applications. The cables are primarily used in aerospace and defense products, as well as in other demanding applications. In addition, the company is continually developing new and innovative cable products. Operator Focus While aerospace and military markets are key growth areas, the company emphasizes that its main goal is to accommodate all operators, big or small, giving them the necessary attention, resources, and focus to support a successful program. The GIGAFLIGHT facility is located in southeast Wisconsin, where the company has compiled a team of experts with decades of experience, specialized knowledge, and an understanding of the aerospace industry’s demands. While based in Wisconsin, GIGAFLIGHT Connectivity has a worldwide network of partners and distributors, which helps the company provide rapid response to operator requests. An FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval holder, the company also has International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 and AS9100:2016 Rev. D certification, which highlights its dedication to quality products.
