Stevens Aviation Adds the Clifford Citation 550/S550 along with Rockwell Collins ProLine 21 IDS to Stevens “Aviation Revolution” Product Offerings

Orlando, Fla., Oct. 20, 2009 – Clifford Development and Stevens Aviation announced an expanded partnership of the two companies with their efforts to jointly market and support Clifford Citation 550 and the S550 engine conversions. These conversions can be enhanced with the optional Rockwell Collins three display ProLine 21 IDS, which is certified in a Dual AHARS/Turbulence Radar configuration.

“We are very pleased that Stevens Aviation will be offering these great product enhancements along with the many services that the company has to offer,” noted Jim Clifford, chief executive officer of Clifford Development. “The company’s technical expertise in aircraft modification, avionics installation and corporate jet maintenance, coupled with a tradition of customer care, will be important to our mutual customers. In addition, Stevens Aviation can provide virtually any airframe, interior or paint service that our customers might require.”

“Our customers have expressed a strong interest in the Clifford products,” stated Jim Williams, vice president of Stevens Aviation. “We look forward to becoming a major installation house for the Clifford products and a primary source of installation kits for all authorized dealers. The addition of a state-of-the-art three tube avionics package which allows for satellite weather, maps, charts, lightning detection and enhanced vision, makes this product a comprehensive new solution to meet the demanding expectations of our customers.”

Clifford Development has certified 35 improvements as part of the C550/S550 Williams engine installation Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) including: an Ametek® digital engine display or an optional Rockwell Collins three display Pro Line 21 IDS System, heavy duty BFG brakes and a dual FADEC system certified to July 2007 standards. The Williams FJ44-3A engines are thermodynamically rated at 3000 lbs. (with takeoff flat-rated thrust of 2820 lbs.) versus the original engine’s 2500 lbs. rating. With this modification, the typical Citation 550/S550’s basic operating weight is reduced 200 lbs.

Based on the Pilots Operating Handbook Supplement, the re-engined 550 has a 22 minute time-to-climb to FL430 versus the current one hour and 37 minute step-climb profile, an 18 percent increase in max cruise speed and a 59 percent increase in NBAA range with four passengers. The modified Citation II’s range is 2192 nautical miles.

The re-engined Citation S550 has a four-passenger NBAA range of 2515 nautical miles – a 49 percent increase. It also has a 12 percent increase in long-range cruise speed with a 34 percent reduction in fuel cost per seat mile.

Stevens Aviation is Clifford Development’s most comprehensive Service Center, offering the widest range of product support available. Stevens will provide installations at their Greenville, S.C. (GYH) location and will provide additional product support at its Denver, Colo. (BJC) and Dayton, Ohio (DAY) locations.

The Citation 550 and S550 engine conversions are priced at $2,345,000 for 2009 installations. This price includes engines, engine core credit, digital engine instrumentation, Clifford Development aircraft improvement package, installation labor and training. The Rockwell Collins three display ProLine 21 IDS System with Dual AHARS and Turbulence Radar is priced at $438,000.