ARINC, AeroMech Get RVSM STC For Citation III, Beechjet
400
The FAA has awarded ARINC Direct a supplemental type certificate
(STC) for RVSM instrument modifications on the Cessna 650 (Citation
III). ARINC and its partner, AeroMech, say they've come up with a
convenient "one-stop" RVSM package for Cessna 650
operators.
Less than a third of Cessna 650 aircraft in North America have
been modified for RVSM flight. Until now, the only available RVSM
solution has been a factory service bulletin.
"ARINC and AeroMech are pleased to offer the first
competitively-priced RVSM solution for the C650," said Dave
Poltorak, ARINC Vice President, Business Aviation Services. "We
have combined our engineering and RVSM experience with new
precision Thommen avionics to offer a complete and convenient
solution."
The ARINC/AeroMech solution includes a group certification STC
from AeroMech and covers all C650 airframes, equipped with either
single or dual air data computers. It is the first package in the
U.S. to include advanced avionics from leading Swiss manufacturer
Thommen, one of Europe's most respected instrument makers.
ARINC will perform modifications at its FAA/JAA-certified repair
facility in Colorado Springs (COS) in 2 to 7 days of downtime.
The ARINC/AeroMech C650 RVSM kit
will also be made available to certified repair stations, complete
with the required STCs, wiring harness, a new custom instrument
panel, upgraded dual or single air data computers, and the advanced
Thommen Air Data Display Unit (ADDU). The Thommen ADDU is a
combined altimeter and air data computer that was TSOd by the FAA
in January.
"Thommen is excited to expand our offering to the U.S. business
aviation market," said Rudolf Iten, Thommen Director of Sales.
"ARINC and AeroMech are clearly industry leaders, and we are
impressed by the pace and quality of their RVSM work." Thommen
avionics are specified as original equipment on many major
commercial and military airframes around the world.
"ARINC and AeroMech want to be the service providers of choice
in the business aviation market," added Poltorak of ARINC Direct.
"By providing a comprehensive and convenient RVSM solution, with
superior avionics at a very competitive price, we accelerate toward
that goal."
RVSM A Major Theme At NBAA '04
ARINC Direct now offers RVSM modifications and/or installation
kits for almost 40% of all business jets in North America.
Over the past year, the two companies have pooled their RVSM
skills and resources to develop solutions for seven popular
business jet airframes. Aside from the Citation III, ARINC offers
RVSM products for the Hawker 700, Beechjet 400/Mitsubishi 300 (also
announced at NBAA '04), King Air, Westwind II, Falcon 10, and
Learjet 35.
The recently certified ARINC Designated Alteration Station (DAS)
at Colorado Springs will make it easier for the two companies to
develop, process and approve a variety of engineering solutions for
both RVSM and Terrain Avoidance Warning Systems, as the demand for
technical solutions for regulatory requirements increases in coming
months.
"We have focused on airframes where we felt the market was
underserved, and have worked hard this year to make the RVSM
modification and certification process as convenient and
cost-effective as possible," said Dave Poltorak, Vice President of
ARINC Direct. "We are committed to providing a full range of
installation, engineering, and certification services that will
satisfy a large segment of the business aviation market-both now
and in the future."