Gogo has received Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for a direct current (DC) variant of the Plane Simple Ka-band tail mount terminal for Gulfstream G280 aircraft types.
Gogo worked on the STC with Gulfstream and Jet Aviation. The antenna was installed by Jet Aviation at its maintenance centre in Switzerland and the Plane Simple Ka-band aftermarket solution is now available through authorised Gulfstream and Jet Aviation Service Centres for installation worldwide.
The advanced technology hardware was developed in partnership with innovative aeronautical antenna provider QEST.
Gogo says this development represents the first time a Plane Simple antenna has received regulatory approval for a terminal powered by direct current flow rather than alternating current (AC). “The latest STC in our growing portfolio showcases our commitment to delivering a portfolio of products that enables every type of business aircraft operator to access our connectivity services,” Dave Falberg, Gogo’s Senior Vice President Sales EMEA commented.
“We can modify our products to integrate with the varying requirements and configurations of in-service airframes while simultaneously equipping a connectivity system purpose-built to maintain pace with the changing connectivity landscape. We are determined to make our connectivity options available to every owner that seeks high-speed broadband, and this STC confirms we are on track to meet the diverse missions of our business aviation, military, and government customers.”
According to Gogo, the DC option supports the distribution of high-speed broadband, powered by the Viasat Jet ConneX service.
The owner of the G280 will use the DC Plane Simple Ka-band antenna to maximise uninterrupted global connectivity coverage. The antenna supports digitally heavy applications such as video streaming, live TV, video calls, file transfers, gaming, and virtual private networks and the DC variant connects immediately with existing Viasat GX satellites and future next-generation GX satellites, which, on deployment, will transmit dual polarity signals, more than doubling the amount of data being transmitted and received.
