Globalstar has been awarded a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the FAA for its Part 23 Light Aviation Aircraft Antenna.
The initial issuance was obtained on a Beechcraft Baron with an additional 700 models expected to be added to the Approved Model List (AML).
General aviation pilots can now affordably make calls, send emails and text messages and browse the internet from the cockpit, without the need for cellular access, company officials note.
The FAA-certified antenna will be paired with Globalstar’s STC’d cradle and sold alongside devices like the GSP-1700 mobile satellite phone and Sat-Fi.
The GSP-1700 voice and data package will be sold with the accompanying, STC-certified cradle, SPOT Trace tracking device, which tracks the plane’s location down to every 2.5 minutes and the 9600 data interface.
The Sat-Fi voice and data package will include the antenna and SPOT Trace. Both packages will give pilots and passengers the ability to make and receive calls, update travel times, change flight plans, arrange for services upon landing and stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues via voice, text, email, tracking or all of the above.
The GSP-1700 package will retail at $1,600 and the Sat-Fi package will retail for $1,700 (airtime plans and SPOT Trace activation fees not included). Both packages will be available from specialty dealers around the nation and Globalstar anticipates its new aviation kits will be ready for shipment in early summer.