Avcon Industries has obtained FAA supplemental type certificate approval for the Avcon dual camera port installation and the Avcon Special Mission Pod modification on the Cessna 208B Caravan/Grand Caravan.

The modifications may be simultaneously installed to provide approximately 80 cubic feet of additional space in the fuselage-mounted pod, which can accommodate sensor/cameras/radars with a full 360-degree swept volume. The Avcon dual camera ports are compatible with the lower fuselage pod and allow the installation of cabin-mounted Lidar/camera sensors.

“The Avcon Special Mission Pod is uniquely designed by the Avcon aerospace engineers to optimise sensor operational capabilities for the model 208 and 208B” says Chris Reedy, president and CEO of Butler National Corporation. “Similarly, the combination of a Special Mission Pod with the Avcon Caravan camera ports expands the functionality of the aircraft to other applications. Avcon engineers once again created a generic design with tremendous adaptability. I strongly encourage Caravan operators to view the new product offerings on the Avcon Industries website.”

The standard Avcon Special Mission Pod for the 208 and 208B has a catalogue price starting at $225,000. The Avcon dual camera port modification has a starting price of $248,000.

“Avcon continues to look for opportunities to grow the utility of aircraft for special missions, among other commercial operations. While Avcon offers many special mission modifications for King Airs, from extended nose, camera ports and its oversized pod for the King Air B300 to provisions for external stores and workstations, it has now extended its available platforms to include the model 208/208B Caravan family,” adds Aric Peters, director of sales. “The Avcon modifications are designed for generic functionality to include installation, retraction and extension of lights, cameras and are compatible with a wide range of radar bands including X/P/L-bands.”

Avcon is a subsidiary of specialised aircraft structural modifications and MRO provider Butler National Corp.