Modified C-182T Will Be Delivered Next Month

It's a Skylane with, perhaps, a higher calling. Yingling Aviation of Wichita, KS recently completed the installation of a special avionics package on a Cessna 182T specifically equipped to accomplish the Civil Air Patrol's (CAP's) search and rescue missions. The milestone aircraft was the 100th completed by Yingling and Cessna for the CAP since the company received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Special Missions Equipment installation in 2003. 

Representatives with Yingling tell ANN the system includes two Garmin GMA-1347 audio panels, a Technisonic TDFM-136 FM transceiver for direct communication with law enforcement entities, a Becker DF-517 Direction Finder, and an optional ARTEX 110-406 Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) with ELT-NAV interface which transmits the aircraft's position via satellite.

The modified Skylanes can also be configured to accommodate an ARNAV RCOM 100 SATCOM with NAT PTA-12 Telephone Dialer. The dual audio system allows observers in the back seats of the specially-equipped airplanes to converse among themselves while the pilot continues to communicate on a different channel.

"The mission of the Civil Air Patrol is important and extensive," said Bob Gallop, Yingling's Vice President of Repair Station Operations. "We're glad that we can contribute to the capability of the CAP by equipping their 182s with a package that makes their communications and interaction with search and rescue personnel on the ground and in other aircraft easier and more efficient. By interfacing existing avionics with the special package designed for the CAP's search and rescue mission, we're able to create airplanes that will be more efficient in doing their job and safer for the crews who operate them."

As ANN reported, Cessna delivered the aircraft to Yingling at the end of September. CAP will receive the plane next month.

FMI: www.cap.gov, www.yinglingaviation.com