Sept-Oct 2007 On The Radar

"We're calling it a ’personal jet' not because of its size, but because it's a natural extension of our SR22 line," said Cirrus cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier. "Like the SR22, the-jet is designed to be owner flown, and it will be loaded with innovative features, including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. While it's technologically advanced, it's also designed to be exceptionally easy to fly, offering customers the opportunity to grow into yet another lifestyle change with Cirrus."

Cofounder and Vice Chairman Dale Klapmeier commented, "We're in the early design and development phase and don't want to limit ourselves in any way. It's also important that any data we release is absolutely accurate." There are many more details to be announced, and information will be released as it's finalized. "So far, we can confirm that the-jet will be powered by a quiet, efficient and lightweight Williams jet engine that will give the aircraft great utility, economy and simplicity never before seen in this market," Klapmeier concluded.

Vice President of Advanced Development Mike Van Staagen added, "The flexibility [of the-jet] is even more surprising given this airplane is designed specifically for a single owner/operator. The design is precisely configured to maximize flexibility for the owner. Mountain bikes, camping equipment, golf clubs, skis, bigger families, antique spinning wheel? No problem! The-jet will deliver more value because its cavernous interior accommodates very diverse usage, and while doing this all at about 300 knots." Jet on over to www.cirrusdesign.com for more information.

Cessna Delivers 5,000th Citation
Cessna Aircraft Company has rolled out its 5,000th Citation business jet---a Citation X. Citations now account for nearly half of all jets delivered by U.S. manufacturers. To celebrate this milestone, Cessna will display the aircraft at various air shows and events this year, including the annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) meeting (September 25--27). The 5,000th Citation will be delivered to one of Cessna's largest customers---XOJET---later this year.

"The 5,000th Citation is an exciting milestone to reach in our 80th year of business," said Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton. "The Citation line provides more business owners with the convenience of point-to-point travel than ever before. From the Mustang---providing a fast, efficient and cost-effective way to travel---to the fastest civil aircraft currently in production, the Citation X, our Citation line offers the widest range of business jets in the market today."

Cessna also delivered the 7,500th single-engine piston aircraft produced at their Independence, Kans., facility. The aircraft is one of 11 Model 172 Skyhawks being delivered over the next 14 months to Northwestern Michigan College. "This milestone is significant as a tribute to the timelessness of the Skyhawk's design, and to the consistent excellence of assembly that allows us to remain not just competitive but an industry leader," said Rod Holter, general manager of Cessna's Independence facility.

Recently, Cessna's Citation Mustang gained European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification, making it the world's first entry-level business jet to gain both U.S. and European certification. The Mustang also gained approval to land at airports with instrument approaches steeper than a 4.5-degree approach angle. Steep Approach certification is the first step in the approval process at airports such as London City in England, which has a glideslope angle of 5.5 degrees, and requires special authorization through the airport administration for both aircraft and pilots landing there. Deliver yourself to www.cessna.com.

Save Cash With Garmin's G600 Glass
Garmin has announced new savings programs on its popular panel-mount products. Customers will receive a $2,500 rebate off the new G600 retrofit avionics suite if two GNS 430Ws, two GNS 530Ws or a GNS 430W and 530W are purchased between March 1 and November 30, 2007. This savings is in addition to the "buy 2/buy 3" rebate, which allows customers to save $1,000 or $2,000, respectively, on the purchase of any combination of GNS 430W, 530W and GMX 200.

Garmin's G600 incorporates two individual displays---a PFD and MFD---in a customized package designed for easy retrofit installation. The G600 communicates and integrates with Garmin's WAAS-enabled panel-mount products, and provides essential information such as attitude, air data, weather, terrain and traffic. This critical information is displayed in a user-friendly presentation so that pilots can quickly and efficiently scan the data and stay ahead of the aircraft during all phases of flight.

The G600 replaces traditional mechanical gyroscopic flight instruments with a solid-state attitude heading reference system (AHRS) for superior reliability and accuracy. Garmin's AHRS features rapid alignment while moving, including in-flight dynamic restarts.

Garmin anticipates that the G600 will receive the FAA's Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certification (AML STC), which will simplify certification for approximately 400 different aircraft models. Garmin plans to roll out the G600 in phases to accommodate various autopilots on the market. The G600 will include a complete autopilot interface that will allow it to communicate with the autopilot, and display and control essential features such as flight director command bars, heading and course selection, altitude preselect and roll steering. In the initial phase, the G600 will support many popular autopilots including the Honeywell/Bendix-King KAP 100, KAP 140, KAP 150, KAP 200; Century Flight Systems Century II, Century III, Century 21, Century 31; Cessna/ARC 400B Nav-O-Matic; and S-TEC System 20, System 30, System 40, System 50, System 55, System 55X. Future phases will include autopilot support for the Honeywell/Bendix-King KFC 150, KFC 200, KFC 225, KFC 250, KFC 300, KFC 325; Century Flight Systems Century IV, Century 2000, Century 41; S-TEC System 60; Cessna/ARC 300 IFCS, 400 IFCS, 800 IFCS; Rockwell/Collins APS 65; and Sperry SPZ-500.

The G600 includes the GDU 620 display/control unit, GRS 77 AHRS, GDC 74A digital air data computer, GMU 44 triaxial magnetometer and GTP 59 temp probe. The G600 has a suggested retail price of $29,772; it should be available in mid-2008. Learn more at www.garmin.com.

Hawker Beechcraft Delivers 200th Beechcraft Premier
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation delivered the 200th Beechcraft Premier to Hannay Reels, which has owned and operated business aircraft since 1952. "We were so impressed with the Premier that we ordered one back in 2000, while it was still a ’paper' airplane," said Roger Hannay, president of Hannay Reels. "Our confidence in the airplane, its performance and large, comfortable cabin make owning the 200th aircraft built a very special occasion."

"The success of the Beechcraft Premier is all about speed and cabin comfort," said Brad Hatt, Hawker Beechcraft's president of commercial sales. "Cruising at 450 knots with a spacious cabin, the Premier enables customers to travel in comfort quickly and efficiently."

The Premier IA is the world's largest and fastest single-pilot business jet. It has a high-strength composite, carbon-fiber/epoxy/honeycomb fuselage, produced by computer-controlled, automated machines, which give the aircraft a medium-jet-sized cabin at low acquisition and operating costs. The Premier IA is powered by Williams FJ44-2A engines, which boast simplicity, low fuel consumption and good high-altitude thrust performance.

The Premier IA's Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics system includes Integrated Flight Information Systems (IFIS) with total system integration and instrument placement designed to make single-pilot operation easy, simple and safe.

And it's not just the Premier that's sporting the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics system. The new Beechcraft King Air C90GTi, the latest evolution of the popular twin-turbine Beechcraft King Air 90 series aircraft, now features a fully integrated Pro Line 21 avionics system. This is the same system at the heart of Hawker and Beechcraft airplanes, from the King Air B200 to the Hawker 900XP. This upgrade creates the lowest-priced, twin-turbine aircraft with midsized jet avionics. It will replace the current King Air C90GT.

"We're excited to announce the first new aircraft by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation," said Hatt. "The new King Air C90GTi is a logical step in creating a common avionics package across the King Air line, and continuing on up into the Hawkers. In conjunction with the airplane's Pratt and Whitney PT6A-135 engines, the C90GTi will deliver its passengers in a nearly 50% larger cabin and within minutes of even the closest competitive VLJ."

Certification and deliveries of the King Air C90GTi are on track for the fourth quarter of 2007. Pursuit of international certifications will immediately follow with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Venezuela and Guatemala are expected by the end of the year.

Built using the proven and reliable design of the Beechcraft King Air C90 series airframe, the Beechcraft King Air C90GTi seats up to seven in a roomy, squared-oval cabin that allows greater passenger headroom. It also has a heated and pressurized baggage storage area that's easily accessed during flight and a fully enclosed aft private lavatory. The rugged, performance-orientated C90GTi also provides operators with the versatility to land on short runways or unimproved strips, where most jets are unable to land. Being a turboprop, the Beechcraft King Air C90GTi is incredibly fuel-efficient with low operating costs. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.

Chinese Enterprise Orders 50 Adam Aircraft A700s
Adam Aircraft announced that Hainan Zhong Hang Tai General Aviation Airlines, the Hainan, China-based operating entity of Ameritech Aerospace, has placed a firm order for 50 Adam Aircraft A700 VLJs. "The business plan of the Chinese company has been developed with the goal of capitalizing on China's fast-growing general aviation market, with fractional-share programs and air-taxi operations in mind," said Jason Fan, CEO of Hainan Zhong Hong Tai General Aviation Airlines Ltd. "Due to the immediate charter and air-taxi growth opportunities in China, we made the A700 our choice because it has the largest cabin space of all the VLJs. In addition, the aircraft combines prestige, luxury and speed with its innovative twin tails, which remind people of a Formula 1 race car."

Hainan Zhong Hang Tai General Airlines Ltd. plans to sell the A500 and A700 aircraft for Adam Aircraft and provide lease-back options to owners for air-taxi operations following delivery of the roomy, carbon-fiber A700 in 2008. For more information, log on to www.adamaircraft.com.

Mid-Continent Instruments Produces 4300 Series Electric Attitude Indicators For Best-Selling Helicopter In The World
Mid-Continent's 4300 Series Attitude Indicator is the latest in a list of key components the company has manufactured for Robinson Helicopter, the world's leading producer of civil helicopters. "The 4300 attitude indicator was designed specifically to survive demanding helicopter operations and high-vibration environments," said Todd Winter, president of Mid-Continent Instruments. "We've incorporated new technology to prevent premature wear and tear on critical parts, so that helicopter operators can realize a better value from this product and achieve much longer life."

The 4300 Series Attitude Indicators are perfect for use as primary or standby artificial horizon in helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The dual-voltage gyros offer 10-32 volt DC replacement for use in either 14- or 28-volt aircraft, have anti-reflective glass to enhance visibility and reduce pilot fatigue, and outlast the competition with a service life that's more than double the life of most electric gyros.

Mid-Continent Instruments also produces units for aftermarket installations. In many cases, the 4300 is a drop-in replacement for older units. The 4300s were originally designed as standby units for the aftermarket, but their design has been so popular that 10 OEMs are using them as standard equipment. To get the right attitude, see www.lifesavergyro.com.