AeroMech Awarded STC for Garmin G950 System in a Beechcraft 1900D

June 18, 2014
AeroMech’s subsidiary, AMI Aviation Services, will install the G950 retrofit at its Orlando Sanford International Airport facility as well as distribute the STC to qualified Garmin dealers as part of a complete FAA PMA kit.

SANFORD, FL (May 16, 2014) – AeroMech Incorporated received supplemental type certification (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Garmin G950 System upgrade for the Beechcraft 1900D.  AeroMech’s wholly owned subsidiary, AMI Aviation Services, LLC will install the G950 retrofit at its Orlando Sanford International Airport facility as well as distribute the STC to qualified Garmin dealers as part of a complete FAA PMA kit designed to minimize downtime.  This upgrade removes the end-of-life factory installed EFIS 84 system, legacy navigation and communication radios, as well as other analog instrumentation, and replaces it with a modern, proven and affordable fully integrated three-display Garmin G950 System and all new wiring.  The G950 System, similar to the G1000® System but without Garmin autopilot integration, significantly reduces maintenance costs and provides a completely new level of situational awareness, enhanced capabilities, adaptability to new technology, and increased dispatch reliability. 

“Operators and their maintenance crews now have a viable go-forward plan to replace obsolete and end of life cockpit displays and avionics with an extremely cost effective, fully warranted, all glass solution that many of today’s pilots have previously trained with or flown at some point in their career,”  said Dave Doucette, President of AMI Aviation.  “As an added benefit, the upgrade saves approximately 250 pounds that now can be used for an extra passenger, more fuel, or cargo.  I would like to thank our partners, SEARCA, Garmin, and AeroMech, for working together with AMI to bring this solution to market.”

SEARCA S. A. (SRC), the premier charter airline of Colombia, played a key role in this STC project as a partner and as the launch customer with an initial order for sixteen (16) Beech 1900D G950 retrofit kits.  Additionally, SEARCA provided the prototype certification aircraft together with operational support and maintenance during the time the aircraft was undergoing the modification. SEARCA, a Garmin dealer, is currently the only authorized G1000/G950 installation facility in Colombia, and will retrofit its own fleet in Bogotá, Colombia, at its own certified full service facility. Over fifteen years of complex avionics retrofit experience, makes SEARCA the best and only qualified option for Beech 1900D G950 retrofit in Latin America for potential clients. In addition, “as the largest B1900D operator in South America, this cockpit upgrade will allow SEARCA to have the best equipped 1900D fleet in the market, increase the resale value of the aircraft, and continue to improve the safety which is the major goal of our operation” said Capt. Jorge Campillo, SEARCA’s President.

AMI Aviation Services, LLC, an AeroMech company, is an FAA part 145 Repair Station with PMA specializing in the design, fabrication, kitting, installation, and repair of complex aircraft electrical harnesses and avionics systems. Experienced on commercial, military and general aviation aircraft, the firm’s repair station Operations Specifications allow AMI to install and repair avionics systems in most fixed or rotary-wing aircraft at its hangar on the Orlando Sanford International Airport (KSFB) or offsite.  Drawing on its relationship with AeroMech Incorporated, an FAA STC ODA and industry leader in aircraft engineering and certification services, AMI provides comprehensive and intelligent aviation solutions to its customers worldwide, including projects such as this 1900D cockpit retrofit.  “SEARCA and AMI, both G950/G1000 qualified dealers, were the only Garmin dealers intimately involved in the G950 STC design process and prototype installation and customers would be well served by bringing their aircraft to the experts.  Between SEARCA’s facility in Bogotá, Colombia, and AMI’s site at Orlando Sanford International Airport, our combined focus now is to ensure 1900D operators who are ready to upgrade do not have to wait,” said Paul Vermast, AMI’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing.