LEO CONNECTIVITY COMES TO THE PC-24 CABIN

Pilatus has announced that Gogo Galileo will be available as a factory-installed connectivity option on the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet, providing global high-speed broadband to the aircraft and transforming the PC-24 cabin into what the manufacturer describes as a fully functional office and entertainment space. The system is certified by both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and is built on the OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network to deliver low-latency, high-speed connectivity wherever the aircraft operates.

Pilatus said the upgrade met growing demand for uninterrupted productivity and streaming while travelling. The system offers high upload and download speeds, global coverage with consistent performance, and low latency suited to modern applications including video conferencing and cloud-based tools. Flexible service plans and worldwide availability are presented as key operational advantages for operators seeking to enhance the passenger experience.

OEM INTEGRATION AND AERODYNAMIC DESIGN

The antenna fairing positions and shapes were selected specifically to minimise aerodynamic drag and any impact on the PC-24’s performance. Pilatus said the resulting installation had a negligible effect on the aircraft’s take-off performance, climb rate or speed. The antenna has also been engineered to prevent unwanted noise generation, with careful attention paid to weight and balance to avoid any adverse effects — reflecting what the manufacturer describes as an OEM-level approach to integration, rather than a retrofit adaptation.

RETROFIT AVAILABILITY AND CABIN UPGRADES

The system is also retrofittable on in-service PC-24 aircraft, extending the connectivity benefits beyond new deliveries. Separately, Pilatus has developed a new in-flight entertainment system for the PC-24 in collaboration with Lufthansa Technik, featuring a ten-inch touchscreen displaying a 3D moving map of the aircraft’s real-time position, four cabin loudspeakers including a subwoofer, mood lighting, USB ports, dedicated media storage and Wi-Fi internet connectivity.

The updated PC-24 specification also includes the option of a large side-facing divan, described as a first in this class of aircraft. Measuring just under two metres in length, the divan can be converted into a bed during flight and incorporates integrated storage for pillows and blankets.