Another Option To Update Cockpits Of Venerable Turboprop

The latest volley in the Battle Of King Air Glass Panel Retrofits has been lobbed. Rockwell Collins announced Thursday a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its Pro Line 21 Integrated Display System (IDS) on King Air 200 aircraft with a SPZ 200 autopilot is now available to dealers.

The installation was completed by Superior Aircraft Maintenance in Medford, OR.

"This announcement marks our ongoing effort to make more Pro Line 21 IDS STC's available to our dealers around the world, which ultimately reduces downtime and lowers operators' installation costs," said Denny Helgeson, vice president and general manager, Business and Regional Systems for Rockwell Collins."

Other Pro Line 21 IDS STC's owned by Rockwell Collins include the Falcon 50, Piaggio P-180 and Hawker 800A. Pending STC's include the King Air C90 and Falcon 20.

The Pro Line 21 IDS King Air installation integrates with the aircraft's existing autopilot and sensors. The system includes three 8-inch by 10-inch liquid crystal displays, a digital weather radar and Integrated Flight Information System (IFIS) providing electronic charts, approaches, airport diagrams and NOTAMS. An option to the IFIS package, included as part of the original STC, is XM Datalink graphical weather, providing unmatched weather graphics. The aircraft was also configured dual Rockwell Collins' AHS-1000 Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS), which is an option in the STC.

Pro Line 21 IDS offers an LCD display upgrade program to existing flight decks without the full expense normally associated with major retrofits. The system integrates next-generation liquid crystal displays and superior graphics technology with existing Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance Systems, Terrain Awareness Warning System, communication and flight management systems.

Rockwell's system competes against the Avidyne/S-TEC Alliant Integrated Flight Deck, which is also offered on King Air 200s and C90s.

FMI: www.rockwellcollins.com/IDS