WICHITA, Kan. (Oct. 25, 2012) – Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS) and Rockwell Collins this week announced that flight testing has commenced for the program that will bring the first touch-screen primary flight displays (PFDs) to the business aviation industry.
GCS will debut Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line Fusion® with touch-screen and cursor-controlled flight displays as an aftermarket option to all in-service Beechcraft King Air Pro Line 21-equipped aircraft. Certification for the initial King Air application is expected by the end of 2013 with entry into service in early 2014.
“We’re thrilled to bring this technology to our existing fleet of aircraft by collaborating with Rockwell Collins,” said Christi Tannahill, Hawker Beechcraft senior vice president, Global Customer Support. “Our King Air owners are eager to upgrade to easy-to-manage flight deck displays that take situational awareness to another level and allow for future technology and requirements.”
Rockwell Collins is using its King Air B200GT for flight testing from its Flight Operations facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
“First flight for this latest configuration of Pro Line Fusion is a significant step in our development process. We’re on track for bringing this innovation to market as planned,” said Greg Irmen, vice president and general manager, Business and Regional Systems, Rockwell Collins.
The upgrade features large format, landscape, touch-control displays that come standard with synthetic vision and a graphical flight management system that enables eyes-forward flying. In addition, the new Pro Line Fusion touch-control displays are globally networked with Rockwell Collins’ Ascend Flight Information Solutions for convenient wireless updates of all flight-related databases and wireless downloading of maintenance information.
The cockpit will also feature the new GH-3900RSU Standby System from L-3 Avionics Systems. The GH-3900RSU is a two-part system that separates the display from the sensor array, allowing the ultra-thin display (DU-42) to be mounted higher in the panel. A separate Remote Sensor Unit houses rate/level sensors, air data transducers and optional accelerometers that deliver attitude, altitude, airspeed, heading and navigation data to the 4.2-inch diagonal high resolution DU-42 display.
Headquartered in Wichita, Kan., Hawker Beechcraft GCS is dedicated to improving the value of HBC aircraft by employing products and services to simplify aircraft ownership, reduce operating cost and increase resale value. GCS is comprised of five functional groups that include Support Plus (cost predictability/warranty programs), Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution (genuine factory parts), Hawker Beechcraft Services (factory-owned service centers), Technical Support (Field Support Representatives, Hot Line specialists and Technical Publications) and Global Mission Support (government business and special mission maintenance/training support).
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission, light attack and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.
