With a Starlink Mini device you can now get affordable broadband in flight internet. If you need this capability the ADL devices and ADLConnect app can adapt and be reconfigured to use this connection in parallel or instead of the Iridium satellites.
But the Starlink antenna is big, some do it yourself tinkering will be required to install and power it, there is no EASA paperwork and there are some limitations on maximum groundspeed, use over open waters etc.
1) About Starlink
Starlink currently runs the largest fleet of satellites ever launched and the service and its development are impressive. But it belongs to SpaceX and its primary owner Elon Musk who is at least a controversial figure. If you would like to give him any money remains a personal choice.
2) Which antenna
Starlink offers several antennas. Currently the only one of interest to general aviation users is the so called "Starlink Mini". Some companies also offer external antennas on the hull but the size and cost of those put them essentially out of reach of nearly all private pilots.
The Starlink Mini measures about 30cm x 26cm x 3.5cm and weighs about 1.1kg
3) Legal aspects
As far as I know there is no EASA minor change paperwork or similar for the Starlink Mini. Legally it usually has to remain a "portable device". In case you are flying commercially you have to make sure using it is acceptable to your operation. Its size and power requirements clearly exceed what we normally expect from a portable device.
4) Where to place the antenna?
The Starlink Mini will need a certain view of the Northern sky. So I see those options:
- If your plane has got a back window like a Cirrus SR20/22, Cessna 172 etc. place the antenna there. People use suction cups or all other sorts of attachments, at this point the do it yourself part comes into play.
- If your cockpit front windows are not heated electrically you can lay the device flat on the glare shield. In my experience it works but to stay safe I would store the device for take off, approach and landing. You have to make sure your visibility is still acceptable.
- Using the Starlink on side windows will only work if the window somehow faces north. So this might work on some flights but will not be a reliable solution overall.
5) Where to buy the Starlink Mini?
If you would like to buy a Starlink Mini experience suggest that buying it from a local electronics store works out best. You can get a little discount compared to buying from Starlink directly and more importantly it seems you can choose the proper service plan right away. When ordering from Starlink they usually keep you in a "wrong" service plan for a month until you can switch. Current retail prices for the Starlink Mini should be between 300 and 350 Euro including taxes.
6) How to power the Starlink Mini
The Starlink Mini is not available with any kind of battery. The device is supplied with a 110V/230V wall outlet. The device itself will accept voltages from 12V to 48V. The specification says that it draws up to 60W, so at 12V this would be 5A, or 2.1A at 28.8V.
I did practical measurements and in real life it seem to start up between 30W and 40W power usage and then drops to 20 to 30W in continuous use.
You can use a power bank to power the device but it will be a heavy brick type of device which is not without its own dangers in flight. Whenever possible I would try to power the Starlink Mini directly from the aircraft. The optimum solution is a cigarette lighter socket which supplies full 28V (or 14V) and comes with the proper amp rating. In cases where a 12V converter is installed (many Cirrus planes) you have to check if the amp rating is sufficient. If you can supply the voltage directly to the Starlink Mini, do not add any USB-C adapter or similar as those have additional losses and increase the load further.
Just to avoid any confusion, standard USB-A sockets and similar will not supply enough power to run a Starlink Mini.
7) Which service plan to choose?
Starlink only offers monthly service plans. So short duration trip kit options remain available on the Iridium network only.
The Starlink plans keep changing constantly but right now the "Local Priority plan" with "50GB data package" is your best option for in flight use. It supports groundspeeds of up to 350mph (305 kt). You can use it internationally with some limitation which do not matter to typical pilots. But remember it will not work over the sea. Even territorial waters are excluded.
The cost for this service plan is currently 57 Euro a month including VAT for Germany. For other countries it might differ slightly due to local taxes etc.
Beyond that there is the global priority plan which would add open water usage and raise the speed limit to 550 mph (477kt) but then they charge 289,24 Euro a month including VAT. If you fly faster than 477kt there are further options but better buckle up regarding pricing.
8) What to use it for?
Now that we did discuss which hardware, how to place and power it we come to the possible in flight applications. You now have a full internet access on board, your passengers will likely use it for entertainment, work etc. As a pilot, beyond very limited cases, this is probably a distraction and not the best idea. But you can use your Starlink to get in flight weather.
9) How to use the Starlink for in flight weather?
First if you have an ADL device then you can put the device in so called "WiFi client mode" and the ADL device can then download weather data using the Starlink insetad of its own Iridium. It will then distribute this weather data to all connected apps and panels mounted avionics in the exact same way it did so far using the data from Iridium. It can also use the Iridium as a fallback in case Starlink is not available.
Second if you have no ADL device you can use the ADLConnect app directly with the Starlink to download weather data. There is no interconnect with the avionics in this case. An ADLConnect subscription is required for this use. If you have any other active service plan this feature is already included.
10) What about my ADL service plan
All service plans with active Iridium service also include the ADL weather service use over Starlink. The cost for the Starlink plan is paid directly to Starlink. For an initial trial I suggest to make no changes to your service plan.
If you would like to use the ADL device with a Starlink connection only, a dedicated
WiFi / Starlink Only Service Plan is available at 19,50 EUR + VAT per month with a 12 months minimum commitment. This plan includes unlimited WiFi weather downloads but no Iridium airtime. Starlink downloads are unlimited.
If you would like to keep your Iridium service active as a backup when Starlink is not available (open water, certain headings when used on side windows, high groundspeed with a tail wind etc.) you can keep your regular Iridium service plan which also includes WiFi/Starlink service at no extra cost.
Using the ADLConnect app only via Starlink without any ADL device requires an ADLConnect subscription. If you have any other active service plan this feature is already included.
11) What about the Iridium GO / Go Exec vs Starlink?
The Starlink will obviously provide far superior bandwidth to any of the GO devices. But often the GO is used in aircraft which have an external Iridium antenna on the hull but which also have heated front windows etc. making the reliable use of Starlink difficult or impossible. For such aircraft the GO can remain a good alternative as the antenna and power requirements are much easier to fulfil. Also there is no groundspeed limit nor any relevant limitation on geographic location for the use of the Iridium GO / GO exec.
12) What is your personal take?
The Starlink technology is outright impressive. That being said without passengers I did not use it in flight for many things I could not do before with Iridium, mainly to get in flight weather. In a plane with a back window and especially where I can display the weather data on panel mounted avionics, I would probably install the Starlink Mini. Then the weather would automatically be displayed on the avionics any time. Also if I had passengers with a need for in flight enterntainment, I would try to install a Starlink.
Else I would probably continue using the Iridium for now. It is small, uses little power, does not obstruct the view outside, works worldwide, is a little cheaper to run and does not add any distractions from messaging, social media etc. After all I like flying and being in the cockpit detached from most things going on below.
But whatever your preferences or needs regarding in flight connectivity are, I am there to help you. If you have any questions please just contact me.
Sebastian Golze, May 2025
