Textron to offer broadband connectivity in planes via Starlink

Textron Aviation will be using AeroMech’s Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Starlink high-speed internet connectivity for its Beechcraft King Air B200 and B300 series and Cessna Citation 560XL series planes, the company announced today.

AeroMech’s STC utilizes Starlink’s “standalone system,” which includes an antenna, power supply, and router, receiving power input directly from the plane. Textron provides customers with factory-direct support, maintenance and modifications through a subsidiary company.

Texton’s customers — which include owners of Beechcraft, Cessna, and Hawker planes — can schedule the Starlink upgrade for installation at North American Textron Aviation Service Centers and select International Service Centers. Textron offers factory-direct support, maintenance and modifications.

“In today’s interconnected world, our customers expect to use their aircraft as a mobile office,” said Textron Senior Vice President, Customer Support Brian Rohloff, in a prepared statement.

“Offering Starlink for the Beechcraft King Air B200/B300 including popular King Air 250, 260, 350, 350i and 360 models and for the Cessna Citation Excel, XLS, XLS+ and XLS Gen2 positions our customers to experience one of the best possible in-flight connectivity and aviation experiences available today.”

Whether on a plane or not, Starlink hopes to offer customers even faster service in the future. Earlier this week SpaceX said that approval of two filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) — one an application and one an amendment — would enable its second generation (Gen2) Starlink non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGS) satellites to provide gigabit speed services.

In August, Starlink scored well in customer satisfaction, according to a report from Recon Analytics. Respondents reported Starlink customer satisfaction led in three categories (internet speed, whether the subscriber had to reset their router, and whether devices disconnected from the network). It was second to fiber in reported outages. Telecompetitor