Also Cleared For TKS Ice Protection
The 'Garmin-ization' of Cessna's single-engine line is complete.
Cessna announced this week in Lakeland that it recently achieved
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification to deliver its
Caravan models with Garmin G1000 integrated avionics as standard
equipment.
Cessna customers now will find the G1000 package on nearly every
aircraft, ranging from the Skyhawk single-engine piston through the
Citation Mustang entry-level business jet.
The company also announced the transition to incorporate the
G1000 "is well under way" on the assembly line, while
simultaneously increasing the production rate. The first retail
deliveries of the Garmin-equipped Caravans remain on schedule to
begin by mid-year.
Cessna received a record 272 Caravan orders last year, including
59 taken during the 2007 National Business Aviation Association
(NBAA) Meeting and Convention, where the company introduced the
avionics upgrade and announced it will offer optional TKS ice
protection from CAV Aerospace on cargo pod-equipped Caravans.
Cessna responded to the influx of orders by significantly
increasing Caravan production rates for 2008.
The Garmin G1000 system designed for the Caravan line –
the Cessna 208, the Grand Caravan (208B) and the Super Cargomaster
– includes three 10” displays: two primary flight
displays (PFD) and one multi function display (MFD). One of the
PFDs can serve as a back up, increasing dispatch ability.
The Caravan G1000 system incorporates the GFC700, an integrated,
dual-channel digital autopilot. Other features include a flight
director, go-around mode and Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS).
It also includes SafeTaxi, a graphical representation of the
aircraft on the ground in the airport environment in relation to
labeled taxiways, runways and buildings during taxi. Radar, TAWS-B,
XM radio and XM weather are optional features.
On TKS-equipped Caravans, the optional ice protection system
releases glycol-based fluid through laser-drilled panels on the
leading edges of the wings and horizontal and vertical stabilizers
to reduce ice accumulation. A slinger ring on the propeller also
emits fluid to minimize ice accumulation on the prop, windshield,
cargo pod and landing gear. Cessna is currently developing a TKS
option for non-cargo pod-equipped Caravans, which is expected to be
available for early 2009 deliveries.