Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Gogo Business Aviation is a provider of in-flight broadband Internet service and other connectivity services for business aircraft.

Gogo completed the acquisition of Satcom Direct yesterday for $375 million in cash and issuance of five million shares of Gogo stock to SD ownership. The sellers could further realize an additional $225 million “tied to realizing performance thresholds over the next four years,” according to Gogo, which funded the deal with $250 million in debt and $150 million in cash.
The acquisition expands Gogo’s airborne connectivity offerings, making the Broomfield, Colorado company “the only multi-orbit, multi-band, in-flight connectivity provider serving the needs of every segment of the global business aviation and military/government mobility markets.” These offerings include Gogo’s air-to-ground network, covering the continental U.S. and parts of Canada and Alaska; Satcom Direct’s FlexExec Intelsat Ku-band and PlaneSimple Ku- and Ka-band geostationary orbit (GEO) satcom antennas and terminal hardware and global broadband customers plus other satellite-related and cybersecurity services; and Gogo’s upcoming Galileo low-earth-orbit (LEO) satcom on Eutelsat’s OneWeb satellite network.
Gogo expects the acquisition to help it sell Galileo to Satcom Direct’s 1,300 broadband customers and to owners of about 12,000 medium and smaller business aircraft outside North America without connectivity, thanks to Galileo’s compact HDX electronically steered antenna. Gogo also sees strong demand in the military and government markets, which Satcom Direct had served with its GEO connectivity and&nbsp;will now be candidates for Galileo.
“Combining with Satcom Direct cements our position as the only in-flight connectivity provider able to satisfy the performance and cost needs of every segment of the global business aviation market,” said Oakleigh Thorne, Gogo executive chair. “With the launches of our next-generation LEO and 5G technologies, Gogo and Satcom Direct are uniquely positioned to drive growth and future value creation.”&nbsp;
Satcom Direct president Chris Moore will lead the combined company, succeeding Thorne, who moved into the executive chair position. Zachary Cotner is CFO and held the same position at Satcom Direct. Mike Begler, previously senior v-p of Gogo production operations, is executive v-p and COO of the combined company.
“Uniting the complementary strengths of Gogo and Satcom Direct marks an exciting new chapter for us as one company,” said Moore. “Together, we are uniquely positioned to deliver unparalleled in-flight connectivity solutions across the underpenetrated global business aviation and military/government mobility markets. I am excited to expand Gogo’s reach and continue its legacy of exceptional service and cutting-edge technology.”

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

Satcom Direct Buy Boosts Gogo into Orbit with Multi-network Services

Move opens new markets for airborne connectivity offerings

Gogo completed the acquisition of Satcom Direct for $375 million in cash and issuance of five million shares of Gogo stock to SD ownership.

Satcom Direct Buy Boosts Gogo into Orbit

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

STC approval was granted in late August

Starlink Connectivity Reaches Gulfstream GIV Fleet

Service provider Gogo has 27 STC packages under development for business aircraft

OneWeb Low-earth-orbit Satcom Set To Launch on January 1

Company offers customized cabins for large VVIP aircraft

Greenpoint Highlights Oasis and AeroSuite Interiors

Charles Alcock

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

The specialist engineering group is expanding its portfolio for business and VIP aircraft

AMAC Offers Starlink Comms and Missile Defense Systems

Jet Aviation also now offers Jet Card charter program in the EMEA region

Jet Aviation and Creston Team For IFE and Cabin Management

Peter Shaw-Smith

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

MEBAA 2024

In this article

Gogo Business Aviation

Satcom Direct

More In Cabin Interior and Electronics

Starlink Connectivity Reaches Gulfstream GIV Fleet

STC approval was granted in late August

OneWeb Low-earth-orbit Satcom Set To Launch on January 1

Service provider Gogo has 27 STC packages under development for business aircraft

Greenpoint Highlights Oasis and AeroSuite Interiors

Company offers customized cabins for large VVIP aircraft

AMAC Offers Starlink Comms and Missile Defense Systems

The specialist engineering group is expanding its portfolio for business and VIP aircraft

Jet Aviation and Creston Team For IFE and Cabin Management

Jet Aviation also now offers Jet Card charter program in the EMEA region

Middle East Is Hallowed Ground for Lufthansa Technik’s VIP Unit

Widebody aircraft predominate in the region

Gulfstream G800 Makes First Flight for Cabin Testing

Test aircraft reaches 46,000 feet

Innovation, Acquisitions Abound in Connectivity Market

Bizav users have more choices, although consolidation is taking place

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