AeroMech Unveils Starlink STCs For Textron Models

Engineering firm AeroMech is developing a supplemental type certificate (STC) for installation of the Starlink satellite communications terminal on Cessna Citation 560XL series business jets and will pursue STCs to fit the system on several other Textron Aviation models.

AeroMech, based in Everett, Washington, said June 24 that its STC for the Citation 560XL midsize jet, including the Citation Excel, XLS and XLS+ will be available in September. The Citation Ascend will be included in the certification soon after.

AMI Aviation Services, a wholly owned AeroMech subsidiary and FAA Part 145 repair station, will install Starlink at its facilities at Orlando Sanford International Airport (KSFB) in Florida and Smyrna Airport (KMQY) in Tennessee, or through “go teams” sent to an operator’s location.

AeroMech said it will also provide Starlink STCs and PMA installation kits to qualified Starlink dealers.

Starlink is a high-speed, low-latency, Ku-band inflight connectivity system supported by a constellation of thousands of low-Earth-orbit satellites. A Starlink shipset consists of an Aero Terminal phased array, electronically steered antenna mounted to the top of the fuselage, a power supply and a wireless access point.

An FAA Organization Designation Authorization company, AeroMech has already completed STCs to install Starlink on Beechcraft King Air 200- and 300-series models in the Textron Aviation portfolio. In addition to the Cessna Citation 560XL, the company announced plans to pursue Starlink STCs on other Textron models, including the Citation Sovereign, Citation X, Citation Latitude, Citation Longitude, Cessna Caravan, Cessna SkyCourier, and Hawker 800/900 series aircraft.

AeroMech said it is accepting pre-orders for the Citation 560XL Starlink STC Equipment Package. Pre-orders will allow operators to lock in a discounted price and obtain Starlink as soon as the STC is available.