BendixKing, a business unit of Honeywell, is announcing several new customer wins and a highly anticipated upcoming Supplemental Type Certificate at this year’s EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
“BendixKing has been a leader in the general aviation industry for decades, and we are expanding the availability of our products to new aircraft and new customers,” said Roger Dykmann, director, Offering Management, Honeywell Aerospace. “We’re continuing to work with aircraft owners, manufacturers and operators to take their current aircraft into the next generation.”
New Customer Wins
BendixKing and regional airline Twin Jet have signed an agreement to install BendixKing’s KFC 330 autopilot aboard Twin Jet’s fleet of Beechcraft 1900D aircraft. This is in addition to the previously announced cockpit modernization that included the AeroVue integrated flight deck and AeroWave in-flight satellite connectivity solution.
By removing the legacy autopilot system and replacing it with a fully digital autopilot integrated into the AeroVue flight deck upgrade, this addition is the finishing touch to Twin Jet’s modernization efforts for its aircraft, helping improve reliability and lower operating costs by mitigating obsolescence and increasing functionality.
Additionally, Harbin Aircraft Industry (Group) Co. Ltd. China has added the KFC 330 Autopilot to its AeroVue cockpit solution in the Y12E turboprop utility aircraft. This solution is available for forward fit and aftermarket installation and will round out the full Y12E AeroVue cockpit solution currently being integrated by Harbin and BendixKing.
The KFC 330 is a full three-axis autopilot with a dual flight director that provides roll steering, altitude preselect, integrated flight director and emergency wing leveling. It offers both Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) approaches. It features a high-contrast touchscreen display for easy readability and control and mode annunciation so that the pilot knows which mode autopilot is in, as well as a single knob to control frequently used functions, providing enhanced safety.
AeroVolga, a Samara-based Russian aircraft builder, has selected the BendixKing KFC 230 Digital Autopilot for its LA-8 aircraft, which seats eight people and can take off and land on both solid ground and water. This will be the first time BendixKing’s KFC 230 is installed as standard equipment by an aircraft manufacturer.
The KFC 230, also known as the AeroCruze 230, is an all-digital autopilot that provides a wide range of capabilities to pilots. This includes several of the key features found in the KFC330, such as advanced flight control and ease-of-use functionality
Product Certification
In collaboration with Duncan Aviation, BendixKing is developing a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the AeroCruze 100 Autopilot System for Mooney M-20 series aircraft. The all-digital system provides new functionality to the existing legacy M-20 Mooney aircraft fleet, allowing owners to modernize their cockpit at an economical price.
The BendixKing AeroCruze 100 Autopilot System will have all ground and flight tests completed soon, allowing the documentation to be submitted to the FAA for STC approval within the next few weeks.
The STC program is on track and will cover Mooney M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, M20R, M20S, M20TN, M20U, M20V aircraft.
For more information about BendixKing’s latest customer wins and products, visit BendixKing’s website or stop by the BendixKing Pavilion (Booth 292) at EAA AirVenture 2021 in Oshkosh.
