SpaceX has a new private jet, and it appears to be flying with the Starlink inflight internet services on board. The 737-800 previously flew for Air China. Newly registered to Falcon Aviation Holdings as N154TS, the plane sports a grey and black livery and, perhaps more importantly, what appear to be two Starlink terminals on board.
Photos circulating online show the telltale white square atop the fuselage, similar to those installed across the JSX fleet.
Less clear is whether the service is active, and what certifications were secured for the installation. Typically a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) is necessary to add hardware to an aircraft. The JSX installs are covered under an STC specific to the E135/E145 type. No comparable STC appears to be published with the FAA for installation on 737s.
It is also possible to operate with non-certified hardware on board under an “experimental” designation. This aircraft, however, does not appear to have that designation in the FAA database.
The plane made a few test flights near Lake Charles, LA in mid-December. The certificate was updated in mid-January, about 30 days later. Which is typical for the waiting period on a new STC being implemented. And the STC database occasionally lags for publication of new certificates.
Update: It was registered as experimental as of 14 December 2023, and then standard as of 14 January 2024, in line with transition from testing to approved STC.
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With thanks to JetCityStar for tipping me off to the new aircraft.
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