The number of avionics shops signing up as dealers for SpaceX Starlink satcom installations is rapidly growing—as is the number of aircraft equipped with Starlink systems. A Bombardier Global XRS operated by Skystream Jet was the first charter jet to offer Starlink connectivity to its passengers, according to the company.
Supplemental type certificates (STCs) developed by Nextant Aerospace are available for the Global XRS and 6000 and Gulfstream GV, G450, G550, and G650. Other models are expected to receive approval by the end of the year, including the rest of the Global family, Challenger 300/350, GIV, and Embraer and Dassault Falcon models. A King Air 200/300 STC is available from AeroMech.
Starlink’s low-earth-orbit satellite network provides download speeds of more than 200 Mbps and uploads of 25-plus Mbps. The system weighs about 48 pounds and includes an electronically steered antenna mounted on top of the fuselage, a Starlink router, and a power supply. Retail price is $150,000, and two plans are available: global 20 GB for $2,000 per month (plus $100/GB additional) and global unlimited for $10,000 per month.
Recent additions to the Starlink dealer family include Elevate Aviation Group’s Elevate MRO division, based in Salt Lake City, and Dallas Love Field-based Business Jet. West Star Aviation said it has completed several Starlink installations and has “many more already scheduled.”