Satcom Direct’s Plane Simple Ku-band tail mount antenna system received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for the Gulfstream G650, the company announced today. It worked with Gulfstream Aerospace on the STC and installation of the antenna on a U.S.-based corporate flight department-operated G650. The antenna variant will become available for installation through the Gulfstream service network starting next month.
Plane Simple uses the Intelsat FlexExec high-throughput satellite network for connectivity service. Satcom Direct also provides customer support, hardware, software, ground infrastructure, and cybersecurity for the system.
“This STC is significant for us as we continue to raise the connectivity bar with this new class of hardware, which has been purpose-built for the business aviation sector,” said Satcom Direct CEO Jim Jensen. The antenna installation requires fitting two-line replaceable units, the tail-mounted antenna, and the SD modem unit. Plane Simple STCs already are available for the Gulfstream IV, V, G450, and G550 through the Gulfstream service network.
Satcom Direct has served as the exclusive provider of cabin connectivity service plans on both in-production and in-service aircraft for the Gulfstream Connectivity Service program. In fact, the SD FlightDeck Freedom platform is the default datalink system for in-production Gulfstream G500s, G600s, and G650/G650ERs.