Gogo announced plans to develop STCs for more than 30 aircraft types as part of its 5G rollout. The deal will see Duncan Aviation provide engineering and certification services for a broad range of business jets.
The STC portfolio we’re partnering with Duncan Aviation on for Gogo 5G is extensive and will ensure that we can provide a significantly enhanced inflight connectivity experience for passengers.
– Sergio Aguirre, president of Gogo Business Aviation
The first article engineering work is currently underway. Once completed, Duncan Aviation will extend that effort to the rest of its portfolio.
Key to the deal is Duncan Aviation’s strong collection of existing AVANCE L5 STCs. The company plans to adapt all of them to support the Gogo 5G offering.
The amended STCs for Gogo 5G will cover the following in-service aircraft:
- Bombardier Global Express, 5000, XRS, 5500, 6000, 6500 Bombardier
- Challenger CL-650, CL-605, CL-604, CL-601-3A, CL-601-3RB
- Bombardier Challenger 300, 350
- Gulfstream GIV, G300, G400
- Gulfstream GIV-X, G350, G450
- Gulfstream Aerospace LP Galaxy, Gulfstream 200
- Dassault Falcon 900
- Dassault Falcon 900EX (EX, EASy, LX, DX)
- Dassault Falcon 2000
- Dassault Falcon 2000EX (EX, EASy, LX, DX)
- Textron Aviation Inc. 680, 680+
- Textron Aviation Inc. 750
- Textron Aviation Inc. 560XL, 560XLS, 560XLS+ (Currently in development)
The companies also say they will consider expanding the portfolio as demand warrants.
Operators who already have the AVANCE L5 Wi-Fi system installed have the foundation required to allow them to upgrade to Gogo’s 5G network. This includes the more than 265 AVANCE L5 kits installed using the Duncan Aviation STCs.
Duncan Aviation President Jeff Lake is keen on the Gogo partnership, noting “The AVANCE L5 system has been so popular with our customers that we are focusing our ATG certification and sales efforts on Gogo systems.”
The recommitment to focus on the Gogo platform could also be seen as a challenge to SmartSky’s efforts to attract market share. The upstart will need partners to help develop STCs and manage installs of its systems. This deal removes a significant MRO from the pool of potential partners.
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