Gulfstream Receives Second STC for Its Broad Band Multi-Link System

The FAA has issued an STC for the GV, which allows the Gulfstream Broad Band Multi-Link™ (BBML) system to be installed on all 186 ultra-long-range GV aircraft that comprise the fleet. In early October, the FAA issued a similar STC for the long-range GIV business jet - Gulfstream's first aircraft model to have Gulfstream BBML installed.

"Gulfstream is the first and only purpose-built business-jet manufacturer to currently offer in-flight Internet capability at data speeds up to 3.5 megabytes per second, which is faster than what you'll find in most homes," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. "For those people who need to stay connected no matter where they are, including in a plane 45,000+ feet above the nearest fiber-optic network, this is an exciting option."

Through SKYLinkSM by ARINC Direct broadband service, access to the Internet is more than 10 times faster than the most widely used in-flight, "high-speed" data services. Costs for this service are also significantly lower than other data systems operating at a fraction of the speed.

Dedicated for business aviation use only, ARINC's SKYlink Ku-band service does not compete for time slots with commercial aircraft systems. Currently available over the United States, Ku-band availability is planned over the North Atlantic, Europe and the Middle East next year and over the Pacific in 2006, expanding its coverage area to more than 95 percent of the most frequently flown routes by business-jet operators.

FAA approval to install the Broad Band Multi-Link system on G550 and G500 aircraft is expected before the end of this year. For the G450 and G350, it is expected by the first quarter of next year. Gulfstream will begin system installations on customer aircraft, including aircraft from other business-jet manufacturers, pending issuance of ARINC's final SkyLink service license from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. This is expected to occur in the second quarter of next year.

The Broad Band Multi-Link system comprises a dish antenna mounted under the tail radome of the aircraft; an antenna control unit; a transceiver router and Gulfstream's exclusive advanced cabin server. In addition to large-cabin Gulfstream aircraft, the BBML system will be available for installation on other business jet manufacturers' aircraft at Gulfstream's Appleton, Wis., and Dallas facilities.

FMI: www.gulfstream.com, www.generaldynamics.com