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Press Release

Issued by Britten-Norman Aerospace.

August 2, 2018

Britten-Norman to upgrade avionics for special ops Islanders in Romania

Britten-Norman, the UK aircraft manufacturer, has signed a new contract to upgrade the avionics on the first of a fleet of BN2 Islanders engaged in specialised operations. The aircraft are owned and operated by 'INCAS', the National Institute for Aerospace Research 'Elie Carfoli' in Romania.

The contract sees the installation of the very latest Garmin touch-screen flight displays and engine information system (EIS), all part of the Garmin G600TXi family. The PFD/MFD is represented on a 10” landscape display and the EIS on a dedicated 7” portrait display. The TXi family incorporates enhanced situational awareness tools and innovative features-set, all incorporated within a contemporary avionics platform. The installation will also include dual Garmin GTN Nav / Comm / GPS and an L3 electronic display with integral battery (along with second pitot/static system) to provide back-up flight instruments. There is also a further option for a co-pilot display.

INCAS has been operating its four BN2 aircraft with standard 'six pack' avionics since the 1980s. Oana Pirvu, Accountable manager for specialised operations at INCAS, said that recent technological advances prompted a new demand: “Our aircraft are used in specialised operations, and as such we need the additional information available from a glass cockpit. Flight displays and engine information systems have developed very rapidly in recent years and having the most advanced avionics makes life easier for the kind of missions that we fly.”

Britten-Norman Aircraft technical director, David Shaw, commented: “Britten-Norman prides itself in remaining at the leading edge of avionics and mission specific fit. Using our EASA approved research and development facilities and our experimental flying test-bed, we carry out all manner of equipment trials on behalf of customers. Working with Garmin we are now able to bring affordable innovation to the general aviation market as well.”

The project will see Britten-Norman's design team creating a bespoke modification for INCAS followed by field engineers from Britten-Norman working alongside INCAS technicians to manage the upgrade of the aircraft at the customer's site in Romania.The Garmin G600 TXi is now the standard fit for all new-build Islanders. Garmin has designed the G600 TXi flight displays for Class III aircraft up to 12,500 lbs. The system comes with a range of optional extras including EFB integration, data link and integrated autopilot.