AVIONICS STC
Avidyne and Southern Star Avionics have received supplemental type certification to retrofit the Envision integrated flight deck on the Cessna 400 series of piston twins. The aircraft becomes the fourth twin-engine model to be authorised to fly with Envision after the Beechcraft King Air 90 and 200 series and Cessna 441 Conquest II turboprop. About 5,000 Cessna 400 series were built between 1964 and 1985 and "the market potential for Envision is extraordinary," says Mobile Alabama-based Southern Star.
CIRRUS MAINTENANCE
Cirrus Design has launched a maintenance programme as standard with all new aircraft purchases designed to help reduce the cost of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and thereby lower the entry bar to aircraft ownership. "It is the first time such a benefit has been offered in general aviation," says Cirrus. "We felt the need to take this leap to get more people flying aircraft and ultimately, grow the industry." The full-service plan covers 24 months or 600 flight hours, whichever comes first, and covers new aircraft ordered and delivered since 1 January.
VERSACE POWER
AgustaWestland has delivered the first two helicopters fitted with Versace-styled interiors. The Grand and A109 PowerGrand light twins were handed over to a Romanian and Italian customer respectively. AgustaWestland joined forces with Italian design house Versace last year to offer customers a range of exclusively designed cabin interiors for its VIP/corporate helicopters. The interiors are also available on the larger AW139.
HELICOPTER SALE
The UK Metropolitan Police has sold its three Eurocopter AS355N helicopters to French charter company Heli-Challenge. The aircraft have been in storage since 2007 following delivery to the Met of its EC145s. Heli-Challenge plans to refurbish the helicopters before they enter service.
Source: Flight International
