Boise, Idaho-based Western Aircraft is partnering with Gogo Business Aviation to secure the supplemental type certification (STC) for the Gogo 5G system on the Pilatus PC-24 aircraft.

This comprehensive STC will be available for PC-24 owners who install the Gogo Avance L5 today along with the full Gogo 5G provisional kit, which will expedite installation once the STC is secured.

In late 2020, Western Aircraft completed the first aftermarket MRO supplemental type certificate for the installation of the Gogo Avance L3 in-flight connectivity and entertainment (IFEC) system in Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.

“We've partnered with Gogo successfully before in support of Pilatus aircraft, and we are excited to partner with it again,” says director of sales and marketing Kerry Heiss. “Our team has been servicing Pilatus aircraft for more than 25 years. It's an honour to partner with Gogo to provide a 5G connectivity solution for PC-24 operators.”

“The Western Aircraft team is a long standing, valued partner with Gogo,” says vice president of aftermarket sales David Salvador. “We're excited to see its continued investments that will bring Pilatus PC-24 aircraft owners and operators this quality certification for the Gogo 5G system. Meeting future data demands in flight starts with a Gogo 5G investment today.”

5G is expected to deliver around 25 Mbps on average with peak speeds in the 75-80 Mbps range and has been designed to deliver high throughput with very low latency to address the increasing demand for data-heavy interactive services like video conferencing.

Gogo recently completed construction of the Gogo 5G network nationwide and will begin to expand into Canada in 2023.

The STC will be completed at Western Aircraft's facility in Idaho.