The StartStick GPU line comes in three capacities — 10Ah, 15Ah, and 20Ah — built on the same Li-Ion Nanophosphate™ platform and the same rugged, MIL-STD-810H-rated case. The difference between them isn't build quality; it's how much stored energy you're carrying, and what that buys you in starts-per-charge and peak output. Here's how to pick the right one.
| Model | Approx. weight | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| StartStick 10Ah | ~10 lbs | Light helicopters, single daily starts, minimal weight tolerance |
| StartStick 15Ah | ~15 lbs | Mid-size rotorcraft and light business jets, routine ramp use |
| StartStick 20Ah | ~20 lbs | Multi-start days, FBO/ground-ops fleets, larger turbine aircraft |
All three models share the same 480A peak / 200A continuous output rating and the same −30°C to +60°C operating range — capacity is what changes, not the unit's ability to deliver a strong start.
10Ah: The Lightest Option
The 10Ah is the model to reach for when weight is the binding constraint — carried aboard a light helicopter for a first-start-of-the-day boost, or kept in a maintenance kit where every pound matters. It delivers the same peak current as the larger models; what's smaller is the total number of starts available before a recharge.
15Ah: The Middle Ground
For most rotary and light fixed-wing operators running routine ramp starts — not a full day of back-to-back dispatches, but more than a single occasional start — the 15Ah is the balance point between weight and start capacity. It's the model most commonly stocked by maintenance crews who need one unit that covers the majority of daily scenarios without over-buying capacity they rarely use.
20Ah: Built for Volume
The newest model in the line, the StartStick 20 targets exactly the use case its name suggests: fixed base operators and ground-ops fleets running multiple starts across multiple aircraft in a single shift, where recharge downtime between starts is the real constraint, not peak output. If your GPU needs to last an entire flight line's worth of dispatches before it sees a charger, this is the model sized for that.
What Doesn't Change Between Models
- 480A peak current, 200A continuous — full-strength turbine starts on every model
- MIL-STD-810H and UNDOT 38.3 compliance
- Impact, water and chemical-resistant fiber-reinforced polymer case
- 2-year warranty coverage
- Single-button operation, no training curve between models
In practice, most operators aren't choosing between "which one starts my aircraft" — all three do — but between how many starts they need between charges and how much weight they're willing to carry to get there. If you're unsure, our team can size the right model against your actual dispatch schedule and aircraft type.
Talk to us about your fleet
We'll match the right StartStick model to your start frequency and aircraft type.
View all three models