SmartStem® Wireless Tire Pressure System Now Certified for Bombardier Learjet 60

Oct. 25, 2010
SmartStem provides a fast and reliable method of checking tire pressure without gas loss. It is also designed to be easily retrofitted on existing aircraft.

Lynnwood, Wash. – October 22, 2010 – Crane Aerospace & Electronics has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and Parts Manufacturing Authority (PMA) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its SmartStem® Wireless Tire Pressure System to be fitted on the Bombardier Learjet 60 aircraft. SmartStem Tire Pressure Sensors are already certified for use on the Cessna Sovereign and Citation X aircraft, and Crane is in the process of certifying this equipment on additional business, regional, and large commercial aircraft.

SmartStem was developed by Crane Aerospace & Electronics to provide a fast and reliable method of checking tire pressure without gas loss. It is also designed to be easily retrofitted on existing aircraft. The technology provides numerous benefits including reduced maintenance costs, improved convenience, and automatic tracking of tire pressure checks – information which helps assure safety and extends tire life.

To fit an aircraft with SmartStem technology, the existing tire inflation valve stem is simply replaced with a special valve stem containing integral sensors. SmartStem communicates tire pressure, temperature, and other stored information wirelessly to a handheld reader without the use of an internal battery in the stem. Since this information is communicated wirelessly and does not require the removal of the valve cap, no gas is lost during routine tire pressure checks.

SmartStem is flight proven on Boeing’s 777, which has incorporated SmartStem technology in Crane’s Tire and Brake Monitoring System on all new-production 777 aircraft since May 2007. In addition, it has been developed by Crane for the Brake Control and Monitoring System for the Boeing 787.

With a heightened awareness within the industry about the critical importance of proper tire maintenance, a simplified means of checking tire pressure and maintaining automated records has been eagerly anticipated by many Learjet 60 operators. Kit sales can now be placed through Crane’s online SmartStem storefront at www.CraneAE.com/Learjet60SS.

Crane Aerospace & Electronics is a major supplier of systems and components for critical aerospace and defense applications. Product and service offerings are organized in solution sets, and include Landing System Solutions, Sensing & Utility Solutions, Fluid Management Solutions, Power Solutions, Microwave Solutions, Microelectronics Solutions and Cabin System Solutions. Products are manufactured under the brand names ELDEC, Hydro-Aire, Interpoint, Keltec, Lear Romec, P.L. Porter, and Signal Technology. For more information on Crane Aerospace & Electronics, visit www.craneae.com.