Embraer completes first Starlink installation on Praetor 500 business jet

Embraer has announced the completion of the first installation of the Starlink in-flight connectivity system on a Praetor 500 business jet at its MRO Services facility in Melbourne, Florida. The system, developed by SpaceX, enables high-speed, low-latency internet access for passengers during flights.

The Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Starlink system is now available for the Praetor 500 and Legacy 450 models. The certification process was carried out in collaboration with Nextant Aerospace, a division of Flexjet, and approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Embraer revealed its intention to offer Starlink connectivity as an aftermarket solution in August. The company plans to expand the certification to other models, with the Praetor 600 and Legacy 500 expected to be certified by the third quarter of 2025, and the Phenom 300 currently pending.

The certification process is also underway with other regulatory authorities. The Brazilian civil aviation agency ANAC is expected to issue its certification in the fourth quarter of 2023, while the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is projected to follow in the first quarter of 2026.

The Praetor 500, a midsize business jet, and the Legacy 450, its predecessor, are both part of Embraer’s executive aviation portfolio. The implementation of high-speed Wi-Fi aims to respond to growing demand for in-flight connectivity in the business aviation segment, potentially increasing the value proposition for operators and passengers.

About the Author

Ricardo Meier

Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.

Articles by the author »