Western Aircraft in Boise, Idaho, has completed the first aftermarket MRO STC for installation of the Gogo Avance L3 in-flight connectivity system in Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.

Avance L3 is Gogo's in-flight Wi-Fi system tailor-made for turboprops and light jets. Its connectivity allows users to browse secure connections such as corporate VPN access, email, social media, online search and access online accounts on up to 25 devices at once. Gogo also recently announced that the L3 platform provides customers connectivity at 3,000 feet above the ground as opposed to the previous 10,000 ft above the ground, which benefits many PC-12 operators who don't spend much time flying above 10,000 ft.

“We're thrilled to offer our customers, especially Part 135 operators, the stability of an STC for a modification to their aircraft's in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity system,” says Western Aircraft's avionics sales manager Beau Hawkins. “Our excellent relationship with Gogo Business Aviation and our experience with PC-12 aircraft made this a perfect fit as it expands its service to Canada.”

“This is great news that our valued aftermarket partner, Western Aircraft, has become the first to fully certify the Avance L3 on the prestigious Pilatus PC-12,” adds David Salvador, VP of aftermarket sales for Gogo Business Aviation. “Hundreds of in-service PC-12 aircraft owners and operators can now install and reap the benefit of the Gogo Avance platform with this full equipment STC.”

As an authorised Pilatus service centre, Western technicians have logged hundreds of thousands of maintenance hours on Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in recent years. In addition, the firm has sold more than 300 new and used PC-12s and PC-24s since 1996.