Honeywell announced today an avionics retrofit package for early Cessna Citation 500 business jets that will enable them to continue flying at fuel-efficient higher altitudes under the new RVSM rules. Dan Barks, director of marketing, said: “Without RVSM certification, these airplanes would have to fly at low altitude, and for jets this brings a huge penalty in fuel consumption.”

Honeywell will offer the retrofit package of Bendix/King avionics through its dealers. The full package includes two AM-250 altimeter/air data computers, a KFC 325 auto-pilot, a two-display EFIS 50 Electronic Flight Instrument System and engineering data.

The company said that it will obtain group certification, saving aircraft owners between five and ten hours of test flights.

“The AM-250s and engineering data are also available as a separate option. Each AM-250 combines an altimeter and air data computer in a single case to save space and wiring, and each weighs 2.2 pounds,”

said a spokesperson. The retrofit is available for Citation 500s with serial numbers from 001 to 275, including those with Long-Wing and Eagle range enhancements.

Meanwhile, Honeywell has introduced a new low-cost multi-function display (MFD) for piston-powered aircraft. The Bendix/King KMD 250 MFD is expected to be available in the spring of 2003. “The three-inch high unit utilises a full colour, easy to read, active matrix liquid crystal display that is both flexible and functional for non radar equipped piston-powered aircraft,” said Barks.