Since its debut in April, Mid-Continent Instruments' 4200 series electric attitude indicator - the Mini Gyro - is quickly making a name for itself.

First, the Mini Gyro landed in Cessna's Citation Mustang panel along with an MD97-1 oxygen gauge. Second, Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation chose Mid-Continents' complete two-inch standby package for their new Garmin G1000 equipped 350 and 400 series aircraft. Aerosonic Corporation has developed a new line of two-inch mechanical altimeter and airspeed indicators exclusively for Mid-Continent which when combined with the Mini Gyro, enables Mid-Continent to offer a complete, certified, economical, two-inch standby instrument suite.

"Mid-Continent needed complimentary altimeter and airspeed indicators for the Mini Gyro," said Matt Fowle, Mid-Continent West manager. "So we decided to combine our expertise in gyros with Aerosonic's expertise in pitot-static instruments to produce this one-of-a-kind package." This standby package provides reliable, independent backup instrumentation for certified or uncertified EFIS displays, or as a backup for standard mechanical instruments.

With a list cost under $10,000 and both companies' reputations for producing quality products, the industry has quickly embraced the new package. "Orders have already been received from two manufacturers with many others showing strong interest," said Mark Perkins, Aerosonic's Executive Vice President. "This unique product offering provides a new and exciting growth opportunity for both Aerosonic and Mid-Continent."

There is a major demand for aircraft to have such a package due to increasingly limited panel space. "This package is aimed at the General Aviation market, which includes light jets, turboprops, helicopters, and twin or single engine piston aircraft," said Todd Winter, president of Mid-Continent. "Manufacturers in this segment of our industry must have a simple and affordable solution for their standby instrument requirements."

FMI: www.mcico.com