Geneva, Switzerland - May 3, 2010 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has applied to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for certification of its new AdViz glass cockpit upgrade for certain classic Citation models.
The AdViz flat-panel avionics package, designed and produced by Innovative Solutions & Support, gained supplemental type certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in October 2009 and the first aircraft modified with the new avionics suite has just passed 100 flight hours.
“The AdViz system is very intuitive and simple to learn. It’s hard for me to remember I am flying a 20-year-old airplane,” said Terry L. Landon, aviation manager for JACAM Industries in Sterling, Kan. Landon, who has more than 10,000 hours of flying time, has flown the system now more than 100 hours.
“It would be very difficult for me to step back into a legacy aircraft that didn’t have the AdViz system because it is so user friendly and greatly enhances my ability to make operational decisions and fly the airplane single-pilot. That obviously enhances safety,” Landon said.
Cessna has teamed with IS&S to offer free add-ons for classic Citation owners upgrading to the AdViz flat-panel avionics package through July 31.
The Cessna STC covers classic Citation I, II, SII and V aircraft. Cessna and IS&S expect STCs for Citation III and VI aircraft in late 2010. The Citation I SP and Citation II SP STCs are planned for early 2011. Canadian approval is planned for the second quarter of this year, and EASA certification is expected in the third quarter.
Upgrading with AdViz reduces weight, power consumption and heat generated by servo-driven vertical tape engine instruments. It incorporates EFIS displays that increase functionality and reduce crew workload.
The AdViz Flat Panel Display System is STC- and TSO-approved for Part 23/25 aircraft. It replaces existing Citation instruments, including primary attitude and heading displays, altimeter, airspeed, and vertical speed indicators, as well as engine instrument displays and fuel quantity.
For more information, visit www.cessna.com or www.citationservice.com.
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About Cessna Aircraft Company
Cessna is the world's leading general aviation company, based on unit sales, with five major lines of business: Citation business jets, Caravan single-engine turboprops, Cessna single-engine piston aircraft, aftermarket services and lift solutions by CitationAir. In 2009, Cessna delivered 754 aircraft, including 289 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $3.3 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, more than 192,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered around the world, including more than 6,000 Citations, making it the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.