Duncan Aviation’s Engineering & Certifications Service Team has completed the first-article supplemental type certificate (STC) for installation of Gogo Business Aviation’s 5G LX5 system on a Cessna Citation Excel. The LX5 also received FAA parts manufacturer approval.
Gogo said its 5G network will be ready for launch in the third quarter of 2024, pending availability of 5G chips. Once the chips become available, the LX5 LRU can be updated via a minor STC modification so customer installations can take place, according to Gogo. The air-to-ground 5G service will provide average speeds of 25 Mbps and peak speeds from 75 to 80 Mbps.
While waiting for the 5G service launch, customers can have a Gogo Avance L5 system with MB13 multi-band antennas installed now, then have that swapped for the LX5 LRU later next year at no extra charge. The LX5 LRU is the same form factor with the same connections as the L5 LRU.
“Receiving formal approval from the FAA to produce and manufacture the Avance LX5 line replaceable unit reaffirms our commitment to Gogo 5G as we march toward our launch date,” said Gogo president Sergio Aguirre. “We built LX5 on the Avance platform as a smaller, single-box option to make the installation of Gogo 5G even easier for customers.”