Avidyne expands Cessna Citation FMS retrofits

The new retrofit programs are for the Citation CJ1+, CJ2+, and CJ3 and follow approvals the company received in July to fit the Avidyne IFD550/540 in the Cessna CitationJet 525/A models with Collins Pro Line 21 and the FGC-3000 Digital Flight Control System. The new retrofits take advantage of Avidyne’s exclusive GPS Legacy Avionics Support interface protocol.

The Melbourne, Florida-based company said the upgrade campaigns use its IFD550/545 FMS navigators to deliver LPV approach capability, electronic approach charts, wireless connectivity, and ADS-B compliance “at a much lower price point than competing solutions.”

“After successfully integrating the IFD550/540 into the CJ525 and 525A, we are pleased to announce that we are now actively working multiple certification programs to integrate our highly-capable IFD Series FMS systems into the CJ1+, CJ2+, and CJ3,” said Avidyne CEO Dan Schwinn in a news release. “We are seeing significant interest from these aircraft operators who are looking for more affordable avionics modernization options, and we are giving them the most capability and value.”

Avidyne accomplished its initial CJ certification “in NASCAR legend Bill Elliott's 2001 Cessna CJ1 and we are currently working on several other retrofit programs including certification of our IFD Series FMS in a CJ3 belonging to the highly-accomplished aviation executive and retired Space Shuttle astronaut Charlie Precourt,” said John Talmadge, Avidyne director of worldwide sales.

The IFD FMS provides direct interface to legacy avionics systems in CitationJets “without the exorbitant costs of external adapter boxes or EFIS factory upgrades,” he noted.

IFD550/545 systems have a list price starting at $19,999.For more information visit the Avidyne website.