QCM Design is pleased to announce the FAA validation of our EASA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the retrofit of Collins’ Iridium Certus SATCOM solution on the Cessna 525 series.

This means that our STC can now be used to retrofit Collins’ connectivity solution on US-registered Cessna 525 aircraft, allowing owners, operators, and passengers to access internet connectivity via the Iridium Certus® 700 network.

Overview of the Initial Certification

In April 2024, the first small cabin business jet, a Cessna Citation 525, was successfully retrofit with Collins Aerospace’s new IRT NX SATCOM solution, with QCM Design, an EASA-approved Part-21J DOA, obtaining the STC from EASA.

This STC was completed in partnership with Prince Aviation, a highly regarded EASA-approved MRO and operator based in Serbia which completed the installation based on QCM’s designs, and Collins Aerospace, responsible for developing the IRT NX hardware.

For a full overview of the initial certification and installation, including video interviews, which was worked on alongside Serbian MRO and operator, Prince Aviation, and Collins Aerospace, please click here.

This solution was designed with the modern business professional in mind. Its high-speed, weather-resistant cabin connectivity through the Iridium Certus® 700 satellite service enables voice calls, sending and receiving e-mails and messages, browsing the internet and scrolling or posting on social media throughout the flight, while its light weight and compact size means it can be installed on most aircraft types, including smaller business jets.

Advantages of this connectivity solution:

• Affordable connectivity solution
• Applicable to business jets of any size and category, even smaller ones, due to Low Size Weight and Power (SWaP) terminals
• High speed (704 kbps), weather-resilient L-band connectivity
• Pole-to-Pole coverage at any altitude – not restricted to one geographic area
• Low Latency, resulting in faster connections
• Lower weight, drag and power usage than other solutions

You can view the certificate of the STC here: QCM STC 10084276 Certification for Collins Iridium Certus Satcom Installation. This STC is valid for all aircraft in the Citation 525 series.

As of January 2025, this STC has been FAA validated, meaning that it can also be used for the retrofit of Collins’ solution on US-registered aircraft.

Want to know more?

For a full overview of the project, including video interviews, which was worked on alongside Serbian MRO and operator, Prince Aviation, and Collins Aerospace, please click here.

For more information about this STC, or retrofitting Collins’ IRT NX SATCOM system on any other aircraft, please get in touch: design@part-21.ch.  STC certification is also now available retrofit on the Beechcraft King Air B200/B300, with design and certification underway for the Cessna Citation XLS/+. We are actively looking to expand this across more aircraft and welcome enquiries.

We also welcome enquiries about any other aircraft modifications, including avionics and interiors.

About QCM Design

QCM Design is an EASA Approved Part-21 DOA which has been helping clients to achieve their creative and technical design goals since 2013, while ensuring that the highest safety regulations and industrial quality standards for their aircraft are met.

As well as assisting with the certification of minor and major (STC) changes to airplanes and helicopters, we offer tailor-made solutions for any desired design concept, including the installation of new avionics or electronics systems, cabin interiors, galleys, or various other equipment installations.

For more information about how we can help you with any aircraft modifications, please see our QCM Design page, or contact us at design@part-21.ch.