Rockwell Taking Pro Line to Retrofits

Rockwell Collins, having won contracts with Bombardier, Cessna and Raytheon for Pro Line 21 avionics on new models, is branching to the retrofit market.

"Turbine aircraft have very long life cycles," explained programs and product development VP Steven Belland.

"We've typically tended to focus on new aircraft with Pro Line 21," he said. "Now, we're going to apply the technology to Challengers, Gulfstreams, Hawkers and a whole range of other business aircraft."

Pro Line 21 technology offers far more capabilities that CRT-based EFIS and electromechanical flight instruments, plus five to ten times the reliability and lower life-cycle costs.

Collins officials see a large market for a family of 5-ATI retrofit flat-panel displays, and to meet perceived demand have launched the new FDS 2000 avionics line, a flight display system that will be available in two, three, four and five flat-panel screen configurations. Likely candidates for FDS 2000 retrofit include the Gulfstream II and III.

Collins and Avidyne have inked a deal to supply a variety of safety products for retrofit applications, including Avidyne's FlightMax MFD, Collins TCAS and airborne weather radars, such as the $47,000 solid-state RTA-800, and TAWS boxes from other vendors--all of which will be integrated by Collins engineers. Collins plans to offer a 5-ATI flat-panel display for MFD retrofit, too.

Collins also plans more ambitious Pro Line 21 retrofit projects, including autopilot, RVSM and FMS options. Canadair Challengers, late model G-IIIs, and Hawkers currently fitted with OEM electromechanical or first generation EFIS displays, are examples of the intended market.

And finally, Collins will concentrate on Pro Line 21 flat-panel upgrades for aircraft fitted with current production Pro Line 4 CRT-based avionics. Challenger 604, GAC Astra SPX and Galaxy, and Raytheon Beechjet 400A are candidates in this market.

By Fred George