Astronics Max-Viz-600 Gets Cessna Service Bulletin for 172,182,206 Models

EAST AURORA, N.Y., Jan. 7, 2013 — Astronics Corporation’s Max-Viz-600 enhanced vision system has received a Cessna Aircraft Service Bulletin for retrofit installation in recently-delivered Cessna Skyhawk, Skylane and Stationair single-engine aircraft models.

Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO) is a leader in providing advanced technologies for the global aerospace and defense industries. Astronics manufactures the Max-Viz-600 enhanced vision system, which permits pilots to see much farther than the unaided human eye in many conditions of obscured visibility.

FAA, EASA Approved

Available exclusively from Cessna for retrofit by Cessna Authorized Service Centers, the retrofit is approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Cessna single-engine airplanes covered under the Service Bulletin were factory-provisioned for the upgrade, which results in an installation time estimated at only eight labor hours.

Astronics Max-Viz-600 real-time infrared Enhanced Vision System is also offered as a factory option on new Cessna Skyhawk, Skylane and Stationair piston-powered aircraft. The system is a night vision device that provides additional situational awareness for Cessna pilots who want to visually penetrate haze, light fog, smoke and precipitation during day or night flying conditions.

 Factory Provisioned for Upgrade

 “We provisioned these Cessna propeller aircraft at the factory for Astronics Max-Viz system because it will lead to increased safety, versatility and dependability,” said Jodi Noah, Senior Vice President, Cessna Single Engine/Propeller Aircraft. “From taxi and takeoff through cruise, approach and landing, the Max-Viz-600 now offers more Cessna single-engine pilots the ability to maximize situational awareness regardless of the time of day or weather conditions.”

The Max-Viz-600 utilizes long-wave uncooled infrared technology to blend the imagery from an additional visible light sensor to the thermal sensor which is presented on the display as a single 40-degree wide image through the use of patented image fusion software.  The Max-Viz-600 provides the highest performance enhanced vision system available for general aviation aircraft.

The Max-Viz-600 was designed to fill the need for general aviation piston and slower single engine turboprop fixed wing aircraft. The system uses much of the same advanced technology as the advanced Max-Viz-1500, but without the optical zoom or dual field of view features. Max-Viz-600 is rated for operations below 250 knots indicated airspeed and altitude at or below flight level 250 (25,000 feet).

Serial Number Effectivity

Generally, the effectivity of the Cessna Service Bulletin covers Skyhawks that delivered in the spring of 2012 and after and Skylane and Stationair aircraft that delivered in the fall of 2011 and after. Specific serial number effectivity of the aircraft covered by the recent Service Bulletin follows:

CESSNA MODEL                         SERIAL NUMBERS

Skyhawk 172R                              17281593 and On

Skyhawk 172S                              172S11127 and On

Skylane 182T                                18282306 and On

Skylane T182T                               T18209048 and On

Stationair 206H                               20608329 and On