EVS, IFIS, CESPLAN In The Spotlight
An enhanced vision
system (EVS) for Citation Excel/XLS operators and an Integrated
Flight Information System (IFIS) for CJ1 and CJ2 aircraft were just
two of the new product enhancements introduced to more than
400 Cessna Citation operators at the annual customer conference in
Wichita, KS last week.
In addition to product enhancements, Cessna also detailed
several new programs designed to enhance flight planning and
maintenance for all Citation operators, developed in response to
feedback from operators at past conferences.
"The most important aspect of the conference is our interaction
with the customer, the critical feedback from the operators -- we
call it the Voice of the Customer," said Art Warren, Director of
Citation Customer Support. "We have always worked hard to listen
first, and then provide solutions our customers say are important
to them, whether it is an enhanced hardware system, a software
improvement, or a change in how we do business. Chances are we
developed the solution in response to feedback from one of our
previous conferences."
Cessna representatives told ANN that two new solutions presented
at the 2006 meeting are the enhanced vision system and the flight
information system. The EVS, produced by Max Viz, is available for
all Excel and XLS operators though a Cessna Service Bulletin.
The EVS-1000 (below) uses a fuselage-mounted, infrared camera to
enhance situational and terrain awareness at night, or when
visibility is less than optimal. The image is then viewed on an
additional display on the Excel or XLS instrument panel.
Like most of the other products and services offered by Cessna,
the EVS is available through both company owned service centers,
and the global network of factory authorized service centers.
Cessna also highlighted the Rockwell Collins IFIS, which offers
flight crews a variety of information such as electronic charts,
airspace information, navigation updates, and real-time weather as
an integrated part of the Pro Line 21 avionics suite, with data
presented on the standard Cessna Citation multifunction cockpit
display.
"Most computer-based flight planning and support systems require
the flight crew to load information such as electronic charts,
airspace information, and navigation overlays on to a separate
platform like a laptop or hand-held device. Our IFIS presents the
same information integrated with the FMS, and offers real-time XM
WX Satellite Weather to the flight crew as part of the normal
flight display," said Dave Luckert, Manager of Advanced Citation
Modifications. "It provides more capability for the flight crew
without having another device in the cockpit to keep up with."
The Rockwell Collins IFIS is also available through a Service
Bulletin modification at Cessna's global network of factory-owned
and authorized service centers.
Another topic of interest at the conference was Cessna's new
tailored maintenance plan -- CESPLAN. Working either with a
standard maintenance plan or in conjunction with an MSG 3
maintenance schedule, CESPLAN outlines and schedules maintenance
operations to minimize impact on an operator's specific flight
operation.
CESPLAN works in conjunction with Cessna's long-standing
computer-based maintenance tracking system -- CESCOM --which tracks
some 1500 maintenance items for operators. Cessna also has launched
CESNAV, an electronic publication solution for operations manuals,
checklists and electronic calculators.
"Our customers are becoming more 'wired' in every part of the
world, and online systems, or computer-based maintenance and
operational systems, are the most efficient and cost-effective
methods of supporting aircraft," said Tom Grace, Manager Citation
Service Information. "... We have strengthened the dedicated
Citation Support Teams -- teams dedicated to each of our models to
ensure each customer has a person they can call any time for
immediate attention to their needs."