In-Flight Internet: Starlink is Changing GA, But Should It Change Your Cockpit?

The costs are coming down and the speed is fast! We give you the pilot's guide, exploring the setup, the benefits, and the crucial reasons why some pilots are choosing to stay unplugged.

As a subscriber, you can listen to this episode right now, no ads, by clicking on the sound clip below. The episode will be available tomorrow, October 2nd, on your favourite podcast app. Just search for “The Pilot’s Logbook Podcast”.

Hey there 👋

Welcome to a new episode of The Pilot’s Logbook - a podcast companion for private pilots in the UK and Europe!

Each episode is packed with practical tips, inspiring chats with pilots and members of our community, gear reviews, and we’ll reveal exciting destinations you can fly to directly.

In This Week’s Episode

Starlink in your Airplane

There’s a topic that’s coming up more and more in our emails and messages lately: getting satellite internet on our smaller planes.

Starlink has been available for business and commercial jets for a while now, but with the introduction of the new, smaller Starlink Mini, many pilots have realised the potential for General Aviation.

This opens up some interesting possibilities. Your passengers can finally get access to streaming, gaming, and even video calls. And for us in the cockpit? We get the big advantage of pulling down updated weather information, TAFs, and Metars whenever we need them.

So, in this episode, we want to lay out all the details: what it costs, how to decide if this option is right for your flying, and if so, what you need to get it set up quickly.

There’s a lot of confusing information swirling around, so I wanted to talk with someone who has been using Starlink for a while and really knows the technical ropes. I called up our regular guest and founder of Echelon Air, Philippe Polman.

Also in this episode

Amanda Rhodes, a NATS Air Traffic Controller, answers your questions about ATC, zone transits and squawks. We also discuss important changes to licensing rules in the UK.

Links, videos and Starlink accessories discussed in this episode

CAA Webinar Licensing and Training Simplification

Starlink Mini

Anker Prime Power Bank

Starlink Mini Mount

Starlink Mini Power Cable

Extras for paid subscribers 🎉

Each month, the podcast presents you with a new destination you can fly to directly. For our paid subscribers, we send you a detailed guide that you can access here on the website.

But if you really want the inside track, you’ll love this: Once a month, we get together for an online chat that’s just for paid subscribers. It’s where we unpack everything! We’ll swap notes on routes, navigating the airports, finding the perfect stay, tasting the best local food, and getting the honest lowdown on what’s worth your time and what’s not so that you can travel like a local, not a tourist.

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