Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Gogo Business Aviation is a provider of in-flight broadband Internet service and other connectivity services for business aircraft.

With the shutdown of the SmartSky Networks air-to-ground (ATG) network, the recent rapid growth of SpaceX’s Starlink aviation offerings, and Gogo Business Aviation’s imminent Galileo low-earth-orbit (LEO) service, the airborne connectivity landscape has suddenly shifted.
SmartSky aimed to compete in the U.S. ATG space and got its network up and running, with equipment packages available for a variety of aircraft. An unknown number of installations took place at SmartSky dealer avionics shops, but the momentum just wasn’t there and it seems that there weren’t that many SmartSky systems installed. After spending hundreds of millions, SmartSky announced its surprise shutdown on August 16. This leaves aircraft owners who installed SmartSky systems in the lurch with no option to continue using their systems, and now they will have to pay again to install something else.
If ATG is the choice, then Gogo’s Avance L3 or L5 systems are the sole options. With seamless availability in the contiguous U.S. and parts of Canada and Alaska, Gogo’s coverage is more extensive than SmartSky’s was. An advantage for Avance L5 installations is that when coupled with Gogo’s MB13 antennas, switching to Gogo’s upcoming 5G service will be a simple matter of swapping one LRU. Gogo 5G is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2025.
Starlink is generating a lot of buzz, according to avionics installation shops, and this may be due in part to aircraft owners’ positive experiences with home Starlink service. Although some people think that Starlink is only for big jets, due to the size of its electronically steered antenna (ESA), earlier this year Starlink demonstrated its system installed on a Beechcraft King Air 200. Since then, Starlink’s online list of supplemental type certificates (STCs) approved and under development has grown considerably.
One factor holding Starlink back from more rapid STC approvals is that it has been selective in which companies it wants to develop the STCs. So far, only three companies have done STCs, among them AeroMech and Nextant Aerospace for the business aviation market. Unlike other airborne connectivity providers, Starlink has not yet allowed its dealers or airframe OEM service centers to develop their own STCs, which could speed up the approval process.
Although Starlink isn’t planning to deploy a smaller ESA, it is allowing owners of light general aviation aircraft to tap into its satellite network using a Starlink Mini ESA and the $250 per month (for 50 GB) Mobile Priority service. Top aircraft speed is limited to 250-knots groundspeed, and users must figure out a way to provide power to the system and mount the antenna, all in a temporary fashion to meet FAA requirements for non-installed, portable equipment.
The aviation-specific Starlink package costs $150,000, with installation bringing the total to about $300,000. Service costs range from $2,000 for 50 GB to $10,000 unlimited per month. Starlink speeds range from 40 to 220 Mbps download and eight to 25 Mbps upload.
Gogo’s Galileo service is expected to launch this quarter, starting with its smaller HDX antenna. The larger FDX antenna will be available next year.
The Galileo service runs on Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO network. Service speed for the HDX system is up to 60 Mbps download and 11 Mbps upload, while the FDX will offer 195 Mbps download and 32 Mbps upload. Monthly service pricing ranges from $3,500 for 25 GB to $10,500 for unlimited data. System hardware as an add-on to Avance L5 costs $120,000 for HDX or $190,000 for FDX.
Gogo has signed contracts with dealers for 25 STC programs that cover an addressable market of about 18,000 business aircraft, from Pilatus PC-12s and King Airs to light, midsize, and large business jets.

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

Low-earth-orbit Satcom Gaining Ground among Airborne Connectivity Buyers

Gogo Galileo and Starlink are vying for business aviation customers

The airborne connectivity landscape has shifted with the demise of SmartSky Networks and the rise of low-earth-orbit satcom from Gogo Galileo and Starlink.

LEO Satcom Gaining Ground among Connectivity Buyers

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

The two companies partnered on a PC-24 cabin mockup

Pilatus, F/List Show Sustainable Cabin Interior at BACE

Kerry Lynch

A G600 was the first Gulfstream delivery with the SD Plane Simple terminal installed

SD Plane Simple Terminals Now Available on Gulfstreams

AmyWilder

Interactive tour demonstrates Galileo's LEO connectivity

Gogo Business Aviation Kicks Off Galileo Demo Tour

The system is the first such hybrid satcom to receive FAA approval

Honeywell Secures TSO Nod for Dual Aspire Satcom

Gogo is offering a rebate for legacy users of air-to-ground systems 

Interest in Gogo Galileo HDX Surges Ahead of Launch

Charles Alcock

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

NBAA-BACE 2024

In this article

Gogo Business Aviation

SpaceX

More In Cabin Interior and Electronics

Pilatus, F/List Show Sustainable Cabin Interior at BACE

The two companies partnered on a PC-24 cabin mockup

SD Plane Simple Terminals Now Available on Gulfstreams

A G600 was the first Gulfstream delivery with the SD Plane Simple terminal installed

Gogo Business Aviation Kicks Off Galileo Demo Tour

Interactive tour demonstrates Galileo's LEO connectivity

Honeywell Secures TSO Nod for Dual Aspire Satcom

The system is the first such hybrid satcom to receive FAA approval

Interest in Gogo Galileo HDX Surges Ahead of Launch

Gogo is offering a rebate for legacy users of air-to-ground systems

Opul Jets Adds Starlink Connectivity to Dubai-based Fleet

Charter company has a fleet of Bombardier Global Express and Learjet aircraft

Trimec Aviation Plans STC for Gogo Galileo HDX Satcom

Modification will be available for the 230 G200s in service

Viasat JetXP Uncaps Speed on Jet ConneX Bizav Satcom

Survey says that customers value reliability and service over speed

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