Manufacturer: Avionics "Repair" Won't Hurt Delivery Goals

ANN REAL-TIME NEWS: 1305 EDT (Wichita, KS) -- Cessna has temporarily delayed planned deliveries of its new Citation Mustang in order to allow for software updates to the aircraft's G1000 avionics suite.

The Mustang comes equipped with a customized version of the Garmin G1000 glass panel avionics system, designed specifically for Cessna's "littlest BizJet."

"The problem's been resolved and we're testing it," Cessna spokeswoman Pia Bergqvist tells the Wichita Business Journal. She says it'll take a few weeks "before it's a done deal."

According to Cessna spokespersons who spoke to ANN this afternoon, the issue revolves around error messages that crop up as a result of arrival data conflicts. The software fix has already been vetted and flight testing is under way. 

Cessna notes that only one Mustang has so far been delivered to a customer, who immediately leased it back to the manufacturer as a demo aircraft. Scheduled deliveries of the Mustang will be delayed only slightly, with aircraft ready to head out the door before the end of the month. Cessna hopes to deliver 40 Mustangs before the end of the year and Cessna remains confident that this problem won't put a dent in that schedule.

FMI: www.cessna.com, www.garmin.com