A HEADS UP memo on Starlink's plans to take over telecommunications governance of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and sunset Verizon as the Nation's air traffic control network provider.
Thanks for raising: how much time do we have before the Starlink network is used for all American air traffic control communications?
It depends on what your tolerance for risk is, based on how fast they've been moving, I wouldn't be surprised if the FAA uses Starlink as the network provider for air traffic control in the next couple months given they are already testing it out with flights.
On an rational enterprise rollout timeline this would be a multi-year project, but as recently as this week, DOGE's leader Elon Musk spoke to Trump's cabinet and explained that they will continue to move at a rapid pace and only back up changes when major outages/ issues are reported.
I asked Delta about this and this was the response:
Thank you for reaching this on us! Based on what I can see on my end, it still depends on the carrier whether they will be using Starlink as their network, as our aircraft utilize different networks for each flight.
Based on the information available in our resources, I can confirm that we do not have any flights operating using Starlink as their network.
Thank you, Lexi. Once again, you’ll be saving thousands if not hundreds of thousands of lives.
From the recent consecutive airplane crashes since the beginning of the Orange Nazi admin caused by firing FAA Fed workers to now, with the incompetent Voldemusk taking over air traffic safety, we are doomed. (I remember not so long ago the accidental firing of nuclear reactor Fed workers — oops).
Thank you so much for the detailed information with explanations of terms. This helps immensely for me to see behind the curtain, if you will, and make plans accordingly. I’m so grateful.
YIKES - I'm scheduled for a trip to Europe in April - was booked long before this mess occurred in the US. IDK what to do about flight awareness for that trip. Any suggestions?
It's not clear whether international trips will be impacted... I would reach out to the airline to see whether they can speak to their safety policies and whether they will be using Starlink when your flight is scheduled. Hopefully not...
Thank you for another well written overview of a very concerning change coming our way. You do great job of clearly communicating complex concepts. I appreciate the work you are doing to keep the public informed.
Lexi you’re writing very directly here. We know Elon Musk’s Starlink system was recently awarded an FAA communications contract.
Are you saying that this cutover does not appear to be following ANY standard practice for deploying a mission critical system like our air traffic control communications system? Do you know when this cutover may start taking place? And is this cut over an all or nothing event or can it be done incrementally? I’m guessing it’s an all or nothing change over.
You recommend that people do not fly until the dust settles. Is the risk a complete chaos event in our air control system, happening in real time, leading to an incredible risk of planes losing communication mid flight, with risk of crashes?
I got laid off today, with the rest of 18F. 18F was an elite federal software shop. We made gov't websites work better, more efficiently for the American people. We saved taxpayers from getting screwed over by contractors. And were fired for it. We made this website to tell our story:
It sounds like the Verizon system is still in place. According to AP, Verizon is not aware of its contract being cancelled. Presumably this change will have more daylight before it occurs, and it would seem that it would take at least a few months. Are you recommending not flying because the system is already compromised by layoffs and tanking morale as a result? Its not safe even today?
We can only go off of the signals being shared and the AP is reporting that Starlink is currently being testing with commercial flights.
From the article in my post:
"The FAA announced on X on Monday that the agency is testing a Starlink terminal at its facility in Atlantic City and two terminals at “non-safety critical sites” in Alaska. Terminals are ground-based receivers that connect devices or computers to orbiting satellites."
What we have seen so far from DOGE is a willingness to introduce new technology before it's ready for enterprise use (like Ai deciding whether federal jobs are critical) and then back it out once failures/ outages are reported (like when they realized they fired the team responsible for securing our nuclear arsenal).
For critical infrastructure, DOGE's lack of change management is a dangerous and incredibly irresponsible strategy to roll out their new technology.
In addition, there have been an unusual number of air crashes and issues reported since DOGE assumed governance of the FAA. Adding an untrusted network into the mix, in addition to the layoffs, is only going to exacerbate chances of outages and failures, that I am sure of.
All to say I do not think the skies are safe and I would postpone air travel or avoid it altogether but it's ultimately your choice to determine what your level of risk tolerance is.
Thank you for making your posts easy to understand for the average person. And including helpful links to educate oneself even more on the topic.
Thank you for your kind words and helping get the word out!
Lexi-As someone with no expertise in this area, I am incredibly grateful for you. Thank you so very much. 🙌🏼
Thank you for reading and helping get the word out! 🙌🏼
Do you have a time window? Like, is a flight in late March (about 30 days from now) safe-ish because it’s before the roll out?
I'd like to hear your opinion on this, too.
Thanks for raising: how much time do we have before the Starlink network is used for all American air traffic control communications?
It depends on what your tolerance for risk is, based on how fast they've been moving, I wouldn't be surprised if the FAA uses Starlink as the network provider for air traffic control in the next couple months given they are already testing it out with flights.
On an rational enterprise rollout timeline this would be a multi-year project, but as recently as this week, DOGE's leader Elon Musk spoke to Trump's cabinet and explained that they will continue to move at a rapid pace and only back up changes when major outages/ issues are reported.
As reported by USA Today Musk said: "One of the things we accidentally canceled, very briefly was Ebola prevention." He chuckled briefly, while the rest of the room remained quiet. "I think we all want Ebola prevention, so we restored the Ebola prevention immediately," he said." https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/26/elon-musk-shares-stage-at-president-trumps-first-cabinet-meeting/80488389007/
My risk tolerance is low so I will not be flying as long as DOGE continues to gut the FAA and test flights with Starlink.
I asked Delta about this and this was the response:
Thank you for reaching this on us! Based on what I can see on my end, it still depends on the carrier whether they will be using Starlink as their network, as our aircraft utilize different networks for each flight.
Based on the information available in our resources, I can confirm that we do not have any flights operating using Starlink as their network.
And thank you so very very very much
Would this affect flights to and from Canada?
🤦🏻♀️
Thank you for such a thorough reply.
Thank you, Lexi. Once again, you’ll be saving thousands if not hundreds of thousands of lives.
From the recent consecutive airplane crashes since the beginning of the Orange Nazi admin caused by firing FAA Fed workers to now, with the incompetent Voldemusk taking over air traffic safety, we are doomed. (I remember not so long ago the accidental firing of nuclear reactor Fed workers — oops).
We won’t be flying at all.
Same here, it's unfortunate but better safe than sorry! 😢 At least we are in this together. Thanks for your kind words!
Thank you so much for taking the time to keep us all posted on this disturbing topic!
Thank you for your kind words Marlene and helping get the word out!
Why would we trust anything Musk or DOGE plan to do? He thinks Ebola is a laughing matter. We are not safe.
Thank you so much for the detailed information with explanations of terms. This helps immensely for me to see behind the curtain, if you will, and make plans accordingly. I’m so grateful.
I sent this to my US Rep and US Senators
Thank you Rain for helping get the word out!
YIKES - I'm scheduled for a trip to Europe in April - was booked long before this mess occurred in the US. IDK what to do about flight awareness for that trip. Any suggestions?
It's not clear whether international trips will be impacted... I would reach out to the airline to see whether they can speak to their safety policies and whether they will be using Starlink when your flight is scheduled. Hopefully not...
Thanks.
Pelon is trying to take us out in so many ways. Thanks again, Lexi
Thank you for your kind words! We are in this together.
Thank you for another well written overview of a very concerning change coming our way. You do great job of clearly communicating complex concepts. I appreciate the work you are doing to keep the public informed.
Do you have recommendations for which phones one should use? Models that are safest? Or is copper- wire landlines the safest?
Lexi you’re writing very directly here. We know Elon Musk’s Starlink system was recently awarded an FAA communications contract.
Are you saying that this cutover does not appear to be following ANY standard practice for deploying a mission critical system like our air traffic control communications system? Do you know when this cutover may start taking place? And is this cut over an all or nothing event or can it be done incrementally? I’m guessing it’s an all or nothing change over.
You recommend that people do not fly until the dust settles. Is the risk a complete chaos event in our air control system, happening in real time, leading to an incredible risk of planes losing communication mid flight, with risk of crashes?
Seen on Bluesky and maybe worth following. Never heard of them.
John Skiles Skinner @skiles.bsky.social
17h
I got laid off today, with the rest of 18F. 18F was an elite federal software shop. We made gov't websites work better, more efficiently for the American people. We saved taxpayers from getting screwed over by contractors. And were fired for it. We made this website to tell our story:
18f.org
It sounds like the Verizon system is still in place. According to AP, Verizon is not aware of its contract being cancelled. Presumably this change will have more daylight before it occurs, and it would seem that it would take at least a few months. Are you recommending not flying because the system is already compromised by layoffs and tanking morale as a result? Its not safe even today?
We can only go off of the signals being shared and the AP is reporting that Starlink is currently being testing with commercial flights.
From the article in my post:
"The FAA announced on X on Monday that the agency is testing a Starlink terminal at its facility in Atlantic City and two terminals at “non-safety critical sites” in Alaska. Terminals are ground-based receivers that connect devices or computers to orbiting satellites."
What we have seen so far from DOGE is a willingness to introduce new technology before it's ready for enterprise use (like Ai deciding whether federal jobs are critical) and then back it out once failures/ outages are reported (like when they realized they fired the team responsible for securing our nuclear arsenal).
For critical infrastructure, DOGE's lack of change management is a dangerous and incredibly irresponsible strategy to roll out their new technology.
In addition, there have been an unusual number of air crashes and issues reported since DOGE assumed governance of the FAA. Adding an untrusted network into the mix, in addition to the layoffs, is only going to exacerbate chances of outages and failures, that I am sure of.
All to say I do not think the skies are safe and I would postpone air travel or avoid it altogether but it's ultimately your choice to determine what your level of risk tolerance is.
So many college kids are flying to come home for Spring break in March. Will it be safe?
Where are they flying from? Is driving an option?
Colorado to Texas