SAVANNAH, Ga. - Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. in Savannah, Ga. announced it has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supplemental type certification to install Starlink high-speed internet on its G650 and G650ER.
This FAA approval gives G650 and G650ER customers the added convenience of working directly with Gulfstream to upgrade connectivity for their aircraft.
Starlink’s in-flight internet service leverages a network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver high-speed internet connectivity to aircraft in flight. Aircraft are equipped with a specialized, flat-panel phased array antenna, mounted on top of the fuselage, that can electronically steer itself to connect with multiple Starlink satellites. This antenna tracks the satellites as they move across the sky, switching between them seamlessly to maintain a stable connection.
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The Starlink satellites are positioned in low Earth orbit, significantly closer to the Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, which orbit much higher. Arranged in a “mesh” network, Starlink’s satellites communicate with one another using laser links, enabling them to quickly relay data across the globe. This network configuration provides the infrastructure needed for fast and uninterrupted in-flight internet access.
Data from the aircraft’s antenna is transmitted to the closest Starlink satellite, which then relays the information to a ground station connected to the internet. By connecting to the internet backbone in this way, the service enables high-speed connectivity for users onboard.
“Starlink is an offering that we know is important to operators,” said Derek Zimmerman, president, Gulfstream Customer Support. “Our team has invested extensive time and resources preparing for this certification, and we are well-positioned across our service network to provide a seamless installation. Having the capability to install this connectivity upgrade at our own facilities, in the hands of our trusted team of experts, is part of our ongoing commitment to our customers.”
Gulfstream is currently pursuing similar supplemental type certificates from the FAA for the G800, G700, G600, G500, G400, G280, GIV, GIV-X, GV and GV-SP.
