Mid-Canada Mod Center (MC2) has undertaken a company-first modification on a King Air 350 that enables the aircraft to work comfortably in northern US domestic airspace. As with all modifications of this nature, safety first and efficiency second were the focus of the upgrade and MC2 oversaw the project from concept through design, specification and sales of the new components to finish with installation and certification.

The key freature of the modification is the Universal EFI-890R, which replacies the existing Collins EFIS-85. This proven Advanced Flight Display (AFD) offers flexibility as a stand-alone Primary Flight Display (PFD) or Multi-Function Display (MFD), as well as a fully integrated PFD/Navigation Display (ND) cockpit system. The high-resolution, high-contrast display provides superior readability throughout a full range of ambient lighting conditions including bright sunlight and dim night-time environments. Extremely wide viewing angles are also accommodated.

The EFI-890R replaces ADI, HSI, radar indicator, altimeter, VSI, RMI and airspeed indicators with PFD and ND large multi-format displays. The original engine gauges were all retained and incorporated into the new avionics package.

The King Air modification also features Dual UNS-1Lw SBAS LPV FMS. Among the many benefits of this system are that it allows FMS flight planning, fuel management, data management, navigation and messages.

Among many other key additions were the installation of two Collins AHC-3000A AHRS and AH-2100 Super AHRS for flight into areas of mag unreliability.

The resulting modernisation provides a large format, flat panel design and benefits with integrated smart displays. All required ancillary hardware and adapters were included.

MC2 president Bill Arsenault says “When we undertake a modernisation and upgrade of this sort we always look to provide an integrated, one-stop solution for our clients. In this case the operator is working from a variety of environments that included access to northern airspace. This new cockpit provides all the required operational updates and capabilities including enhanced safety and efficiency.”