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

Gulfstream designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and services business jet aircraft.

Matt Thurber

The G650/G650 appears to be next in line for supplemental type certification (STC) approval for installation of SpaceX’s Starlink satcom, according to a Gulfstream Aerospace maintenance and operations letter (ALL-MOL-23-0013) dated September 15. The letter references “Nextant/Starlink’s recent…[FAA] approval to install their connectivity solution via [STC] on G650/G650ER aircraft, with other models to follow.”
The FAA’s STC database does not yet list the Nextant STC. But given that SpaceX founder Elon Musk has Starlink installed on his G650, this STC seems like a logical step. The first Starlink STC was for the Embraer ERJ series and it was engineered by Aerospace Design &amp; Compliance of New Castle, Delaware.
The Gulfstream MOL points out to Gulfstream operators that the Starlink STC was developed by a third-party and thus is not supported by Gulfstream. “Since Gulfstream is not the STC holder,” it noted, “Gulfstream technical operations and engineering teams will not have the data or ability to support any repairs common to the area [fuselage structure with respect to the antenna installation] or that may arise with the STC upon installation or afterward.”
However, Gulfstream did explain in the MOL that it “will continue to work with Starlink to evaluate new technology, and we are committed to validating solutions on our aircraft when and if the data we gather supports the viability of the product.”&nbsp;

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.

Starlink Satellite Communications Installations Expected on Gulfstream G650

This would be the second STC for Starlink on an aircraft

Installation of SpaceX's Starlink satcom on the G650 is not supported by Gulfstream's technical operations because the STC was done by a third-party.

Starlink Satcom Installations Expected on G650

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Gulfstream G650/G650ER

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