Nextant Aerospace has received an supplemental type (STC) to install SpaceX’s Starlink satcom system in the Gulfstream G450 and G550 series of business jets. The approval announced on Tuesday follows closely behind the certification of Starlink Connectivity STCs and PMA installation kits for the Gulfstream G650 and Bombardier’s Global Express, Global XRS, and Global 6000.
“For too long, the in-flight connectivity options available to aircraft owners have lagged behind the capabilities they are accustomed to in their offices and homes,” said Tony Kurpely, Nextant Aerospace senior vice president. “We are proud to be the first to develop and install Starlink’s truly reliable high-speed internet solution in a business jet environment. And we will continue to develop and certify Nextant’s Starlink Inflight Connectivity STCs to more and more aircraft types.”
According to Nextant, the SpaceX constellation of more than 5,000 low earth orbit (LEO) Starlink satellites provides business jet access to the highest speed, low-latency global internet coverage available today. Passengers can easily access the service with a one-click interface on their devices and access the internet as soon as they board the aircraft, rather than waiting until they reach a certain altitude, nor will they lose access as the aircraft descends from its cruising altitude.
Nextant, which is the engineering division of charger group Flexjet, says it specifically designed Starlink to address reliability issues that have plagued legacy systems. The hardware features a phased array antenna with no moving parts, eliminating its susceptibility to environmental variances that can affect performance on older technology.
“To complement Starlink’s intuitively simple approach, we have thoughtfully engineered and certified aircraft installation kits that provide everything needed for a Starlink installation in one box, enabling a streamlined installation,” added Kurpely. “Looking forward, we will continue to broaden Starlink access to business jet owners as we pursue FAA certifications for additional aircraft types."