The following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records pertain to onboard aircraft air-to-ground phone services. These publically available records include the types of phone models available and the aircraft for which designs were approved by the FAA. Specifically referred to are the "Airfone" air-to-ground phones reportedly used by passengers aboard hijacked airliners on September 11, 2001. It is not known if the 4 aircraft involved in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 contained air-to-ground phone services as FAA records for these aircraft are not available for release.
Additional FAA records regarding the airlines that have used such air-to-ground phones are pending.
More information about September 11, 2001 phone calls reportedly placed by onboard "Airfones":
From the FAA website:
Supplemental Type Certificates
A Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) is a document issued by the Federal Aviation Administration approving a product (aircraft, engine, or propeller) modification. The STC defines the product design change, states how the modification affects the existing type design, and lists serial number effectivity. It also identifies the certification basis listing specific regulatory compliance for the design change. Information contained in the certification basis is helpful for those applicants proposing subsequent product modifications and evaluating certification basis compatibility with other STC modifications.
This database is a repository of approved STCs. Within each view, you can sort many of the columns by clicking on the double arrow to the right of the column heading. You can find a copy of the STC certificate under the section titled Full Text of STC. If a full text STC document is not listed, contact the responsible Aircraft Certification Office to request a copy.
The data contained in this website including the attached STC certificate is for information only. Possession of the STC document does not constitute rights to the design data or installation of the modification. The STC and its supporting data (drawings, instructions, specifications, etc.) are the property of the STC holder. You must contact the STC holder to obtain rights for the use of the STC.
