Several piston-aircraft manufacturers launched cockpit upgrades at the show in an effort to breathe new life into their products.
Cessna is to offer the Garmin G1000 integrated flightdeck on its 172 Skyhawk, with certification and first deliveries planned for early next year. The aircraft will be available in two versions, the $200,000 172 Skyhawk GA for the training market and the $300,000 172S Skyhawk SP.
This latest move completes the glass cockpit offering across Cessna's piston-engine family. The first Garmin-equipped 182 Skylane entered service in June and certification of the new avionics in the six-seat 206 Stationair is earmarked for September. Cessna chief executive Jack Pelton says: "We are on track to deliver 600 single-engined aircraft this year and we will exceed this target next year." Aircraft with the Garmin option account for around 90% of Skylane and 70% of Stationair orders, the company says. Cessna hopes the introduction of glass cockpit types will help it retain its lead in the piston market.
However, Cirrus Design, which announced plans at the show to offer a paperless cockpit across its range, says it expects to exceed Cessna's four-seat piston shipments for the second half of the year. Cirrus says it will add satellite datalink weather, terrain awareness and warning system and electronic approach plates as options for its Avidyne glass cockpit. Annual deliveries next year for Duluth, Minnesota-based Cirrus could push 600 aircraft it says.
Raytheon is offering the G1000 on its Beechcraft Bonanza A36 twin and Baron 58 single. The first Baron, with the GFC 700 autopilot and GWX 68 weather radar as standard equipment on the Garmin system, will be completed in July 2005, Raytheon says.
New Piper Aircraft, meanwhile, has selected Avidyne's FlightMax Entegra integrated flightdeck as an option on its PA-28 family of entry- level pistons - the Warrior III, Archer III and Arrow.
Source: Flight International
