SD Government, a Gogo company, says it has received a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approving installation of the Gogo Galileo HDX connectivity system on the Pilatus PC-12 turboprop, in partnership with Pilatus and Pro Star Aviation.
The STC covers multiple PC-12 variants, including aircraft used for special missions. SD Government said the system uses Eutelsat OneWeb’s low Earth orbit satellite network to provide global connectivity.
The company said the first PC-12 modified by Pilatus to include Gogo Galileo under the Pro Star STC is expected to return to service soon, as part of a previously announced SD Government federal contract for multi-orbit, multi-band airborne global satellite communications to a US government agency.
In the release, SD Government said the approval is intended to support use cases including streaming time-sensitive data such as HD video, imagery, secure chat and real-time medical information for medical evacuation, as well as internet services for private and business aviation operators.
Pro Star Aviation, a US Pilatus Sales and Service Center, worked with Pilatus to develop and certify the FAA STC. SD Government said European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) approvals are expected, with Gogo Galileo HDX planned to be available as a retrofit for in-service PC-12s and as a line-fit option for new aircraft.
“This certification marks another important step in expanding the capabilities of the PC-12 for government, defense, and special missions operators worldwide. Reliable, high-speed connectivity has become an essential mission requirement, enabling crews and decision-makers to exchange critical information in real time. Through our collaboration with SD Government and Pro Star Aviation, we are pleased to offer a proven connectivity solution that further enhances the versatility, effectiveness, and operational value of the PC-12 platform for customers operating in even the most demanding environments,” says Möhl Oliver, CEO and President of Pilatus Aircraft USA Ltd.
“We are excited to bring Gogo Galileo HDX to government, defense and special missions PC-12 operators, enabling them to securely stream mission-critical data from the aircraft to connected users, anywhere in the world. The PC-12 is an incredibly popular special missions aircraft – aside from our US Government launch customer, we’re already experiencing high demand for this upgrade from a variety of global operators,” says Ben Massey, SVP of Government Sales for SD Government.
“Working directly with Pilatus and Gogo during the preliminary planning phase allowed us all to develop an installation design that is flexible and compatible with the entire in-service fleet as well as new aircraft production,” adds Jeffrey Shaw, Director of Sales and Marketing at Pro Star Aviation.
Photo Caption: SD Government, with Pilatus and Pro Star Aviation, have received an STC from the FAA to install the Gogo Galileo HDX connectivity system on the Pilatus PC-12.
