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.

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Matt Thurber

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

Gogo completed the acquisition of Satcom Direct yesterday for $375 million in cash and issuance of five million shares of Gogo stock to SD ownership. The sellers could further realize an additional $225 million “tied to realizing performance thresholds over the next four years,” according to Gogo, which funded the deal with $250 million in debt and $150 million in cash.
The acquisition expands Gogo’s airborne connectivity offerings, making the Broomfield, Colorado company “the only multi-orbit, multi-band, in-flight connectivity provider serving the needs of every segment of the global business aviation and military/government mobility markets.” These offerings include Gogo’s air-to-ground network, covering the continental U.S. and parts of Canada and Alaska; Satcom Direct’s FlexExec Intelsat Ku-band and PlaneSimple Ku- and Ka-band geostationary orbit (GEO) satcom antennas and terminal hardware and global broadband customers plus other satellite-related and cybersecurity services; and Gogo’s upcoming Galileo low-earth-orbit (LEO) satcom on Eutelsat’s OneWeb satellite network.
Gogo expects the acquisition to help it sell Galileo to Satcom Direct’s 1,300 broadband customers and to owners of about 12,000 medium and smaller business aircraft outside North America without connectivity, thanks to Galileo’s compact HDX electronically steered antenna. Gogo also sees strong demand in the military and government markets, which Satcom Direct had served with its GEO connectivity and&nbsp;will now be candidates for Galileo.
“Combining with Satcom Direct cements our position as the only in-flight connectivity provider able to satisfy the performance and cost needs of every segment of the global business aviation market,” said Oakleigh Thorne, Gogo executive chair. “With the launches of our next-generation LEO and 5G technologies, Gogo and Satcom Direct are uniquely positioned to drive growth and future value creation.”&nbsp;
Satcom Direct president Chris Moore will lead the combined company, succeeding Thorne, who moved into the executive chair position. Zachary Cotner is CFO and held the same position at Satcom Direct. Mike Begler, previously senior v-p of Gogo production operations, is executive v-p and COO of the combined company.
“Uniting the complementary strengths of Gogo and Satcom Direct marks an exciting new chapter for us as one company,” said Moore. “Together, we are uniquely positioned to deliver unparalleled in-flight connectivity solutions across the underpenetrated global business aviation and military/government mobility markets. I am excited to expand Gogo’s reach and continue its legacy of exceptional service and cutting-edge technology.”

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.

Satcom Direct Buy Boosts Gogo into Orbit with Multi-network Services

Move opens new markets for airborne connectivity offerings

Gogo completed the acquisition of Satcom Direct for $375 million in cash and issuance of five million shares of Gogo stock to SD ownership.

Satcom Direct Buy Boosts Gogo into Orbit

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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.

Flight-tracking service is available for display on passengers' devices

FlightPath3D and Gogo Extend Bizav Partnership

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

The German company is taking a new approach to aerospace display technology.

Zeiss Microoptics Brings New Display Tech to Aircraft Cabin, Cockpit

Charles Alcock

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

ProSight technology is being demonstrated at the Farnborough Airshow

Zeiss Debuts New Approach to Cockpit and Cabin Displays 

Expands company’s offerings for high-speed, global connectivity

Pro Star Delivers G280 Gogo Galileo Satcom Installation

New service plans distinguish between a single area and global coverage

Starlink Doubles Aviation Prices, Adds Region Boundaries

Amy Wilder

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

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In this article

Gogo

Satcom Direct

More In Cabin Interior and Electronics

FlightPath3D and Gogo Extend Bizav Partnership

Flight-tracking service is available for display on passengers' devices

Zeiss Microoptics Brings New Display Tech to Aircraft Cabin, Cockpit

The German company is taking a new approach to aerospace display technology.

Zeiss Debuts New Approach to Cockpit and Cabin Displays

ProSight technology is being demonstrated at the Farnborough Airshow

Pro Star Delivers G280 Gogo Galileo Satcom Installation

Expands company’s offerings for high-speed, global connectivity

Starlink Doubles Aviation Prices, Adds Region Boundaries

New service plans distinguish between a single area and global coverage

Jet Access Maintenance Earns Starlink Dealer Status

Services span three locations in Indianapolis, Nashville, and West Palm Beach

Gogo Galileo Now Available for Gulfstream G650/G650ER

HDX antenna installed under the tail-mounted radome

Gogo Galileo Satcom Now Factory Option on Pilatus PC-24

System is FAA- and EASA-certified

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