Globalstar’s GSP-1700 satellite phone and data package. Photo: Globalstar

[Via Satellite 03-25-2016] The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded Globalstar a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its Part 23 Light Aviation Aircraft Antenna. The antenna aims to enable General Aviation (GA) pilots to make calls, send emails and text messages, and browse the Internet from the cockpit without the need for cellular access.

The STC validates that the product meets all FAA quality and safety requirements through testing and evaluation, which took place over the past year. Globalstar obtained the initial issuance on a Beechcraft Baron and expects to add an additional 700 models to the Approved Model List (AML).

The STC comes on the heels of the recent announcement of a Globalstar partnership with Avidyne to provide new communications solutions for the higher-end aviation market.