MOLINE, Ill., Feb. 14, 2011 --- Elliott Aviation today announced the Moline, Ill.-based business aviation services company has taken the industry’s first two orders for installation of Garmin’s G1000 glass cockpit in Beechcraft Super King Air aircraft — one for a 300 and one for 350 aircraft, becoming the first dealer to offer the Garmin upgrade in all three major King Air airframes. Garmin International expects to receive FAA Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for its G1000 solution in Super King Air 300/350 aircraft in mid-2011.
As of February 1, 2011, Elliott Aviation has performed 27 G1000 cockpit upgrades in King Air aircraft, and will perform the Super King Air 300/350 modifications at its Quad City International Airport (MLI) headquarters facility in Moline, Ill.
“Our King Air 350 is equipped with early EFIS 85 CRTs. We wanted WAAS and RVSM certification, but did not see updating the older avionics to be an economical option for us,” said the director of flight operations for the company whose Super King Air will be one of the first two aircraft to receive the G1000 upgrade from Elliott. “The G1000 has enormous capabilities far beyond the other upgrade options we had, and at a fraction of the cost.”
“We selected Elliott Aviation as the installer as they have completed far more installs than other avionics shop, and our ‘due diligence’ resulted in only outstanding comments from previous customers,” he added.
The G1000 system replaces the aging and expensive-to-maintain electromechanical flight instruments and avionics systems while enhancing the reliability, operational safety and resale value of the aircraft. Additionally, the G1000’s lightweight modular design offers significant weight savings.
The G1000 features dual 10-inch, high definition LCD Primary Flight Displays, a 15-inch Multi-Function Display, a fully integrated Flight Guidance System, IFR approved WAAS GPS, weather radar, and VHF navigation and communication receivers. Electronic charts, XM weather, Engine instruments and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) are integrated into the G1000 displays.
“Adding the 300/350 series to our repertoire of G1000 King Air upgrades is the next logical step for us and we look forward to improving the safety and residual value of these airframes for pilots and owners alike,” said Mark Wilken, Elliott Aviation director of avionics sales and product development.
Garmin International, Inc. is a member of the Garmin Ltd. group of companies which designs, manufactures, markets, and sells navigation, communication and information devices and applications -- most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin is a leader in consumer and general aviation navigation and its products serve the automotive/mobile, outdoor/fitness, marine, and aviation markets. From the fully integrated, all-glass G1000 avionics suite to the portable GPSMAP 496 that serves as a mini-MFD, Garmin units are made by pilots for pilots.
Elliott Aviation is a full-service business aviation center offering a complete menu of high quality products and services. Serving the business aviation industry nationally and internationally, they have facilities in Moline, Ill., Des Moines, Iowa, Minneapolis, Minn., and Omaha, Neb. The company is a member of the Pinnacle Air Network, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), and National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA), and has been selling and servicing business aircraft since 1936.
