Avionics Selected For FOUR New Jets; Certified On LearJet 60XR

Rockwell Collins has reason to celebrate as the first "official" day of the 2006 National Business Aviation Association Conference kicks off in Orlando. You see, the avionics manufacturer's popular and capable Pro Line 21 avionics suite has been selected as standard equipment on not one... not two, or even three... but FOUR new bizjet models, coming from two manufacturers.

Cessna announced Monday it has selected the Pro Line 21 avionics as standard equipment for its new CJ4 and XLS+ aircraft. The XLS+ is scheduled to enter into service in 2008, with the CJ4 arriving two years later.

"This program win marks the continued expansion of our proven Pro Line 21 avionics in the Cessna family of aircraft," said Denny Helgeson, vice president and general manager of Business and Regional Systems for Rockwell Collins. "We look forward to working closely with Cessna to provide an avionics solution that will increase commonality across the Citation fleet, while improving operational efficiency and situational awareness for their operators."

The Pro Line 21 avionics suites on the CJ4 and XLS+ features four eight-inch by 10-inch active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs) in a portrait configuration. The system includes Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 CNS radio suite, integrated radio tuning, integrated Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS), weather radar and Integrated Flight Information System (IFIS).

With over 70 orders already claimed by Cessna for the XLS alone, those contracts should keep workers at Rockwell Collins busy for a long time... but wait, there's more -- as Raytheon Aircraft Company also announced Monday its selection of the Pro Line 21 system, and Airshow 21 Cabin Management System, for the upcoming Hawker 750 and Hawker 900 aircraft.

The flight decks for both aircraft will feature an integrated Pro Line 21 avionics system that includes four 8x10 active matrix LCD displays; the FMS-6000 flight management system; the Integrated Flight Information System (IFIS) and Pro Line 21 Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) radios.

"The proven capabilities of our integrated avionics will deliver enhanced efficiency and situational awareness for operators of the new Hawker aircraft," said Denny Helgeson, vice president and general manager, business and regional systems for Rockwell Collins. "Additionally, our Airshow 21 cabin management system offers passengers a superior traveling environment."

Additionally, the Airshow 21 System selected will offer passengers user-friendly LCD touch screens at each seat, plus one on each divan armrest. The VIP chair occupant can control the entire cabin temperature, lighting and entertainment systems. 

But let's get back to the Pro Line 21... which also recently received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) on the new Bombardier Learjet 60XR business jet.

What all this means is, workers at Rockwell Collins' plant in Cedar Rapids have an awful lot of work on their plates! We doubt they mind, though...

FM: www.rockwellcollins.com