FAA Issues Fourth STC, Increasing Availability Of Broad Band Multilink System Installations

Gulfstream Aerospace has received a fourth FAA STC, enabling the installation of its new ultra-high-speed Broad Band Multi-Link (BBML) data system in the large-cabin, long-range G450 and the large-cabin, mid-range G350 business-jet aircraft. The first installation of the BBML system on a customer G450 business jet will be completed next month.

This recent STC comes one month after Gulfstream announced that it had received its third STC, enabling the ultra-high-speed system to be installed on the large-cabin, ultra-long-range G550 and G500 business jets. ARINC, supplier of the SKYLink by ARINC Direct broadband satellite service that is used in Gulfstream's BBML system, received a service license from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in April, immediately opening the door for the company to begin unlimited BBML system installations on customers' G550, G500 and GV aircraft. The multiple-aircraft STC for the GV was issued by the FAA in November 2004. Gulfstream's first STC was issued for a GIV in October 2004, which allowed the company to conduct its initial in-service evaluation.

With the ultra-high-speed BBML data system, inflight passengers can surf the Internet, send and receive e-mail, monitor the stock market or perform any other Web-based task, at the same speed found in most corporate offices.

"The fastest in-flight data system available today, the Broad Band Multi-Link system is an essential option for customers whose cabins are used as airborne offices," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. "Ten times faster than the most widely used in-flight, high-speed data service, the BBML is as fast as most of today's ground-based data services used by U.S. corporations."

BBML uses a dedicated satellite bandwidth. The system, which offers data speeds of up to 3.5 megabits per second, 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.

FMI: www.gulfstream.com