Cessna and Williams are working to introduce a FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) software upgrade designed to help owners follow their own preferred take off and post-landing routines without having to reinstall software.

The move follows feedback from owners including Fred Eisele of German charter operator EFD Eisele Flugdienst, who is happy with his "terrific" recently-acquired CJ3 apart from instances when FADEC software requires reinstallation.

FADEC is designed to allow single lever, electronic fuel injection and is billed as the first production system of its kind that reduces a pilot's engine management tasks to simply selecting the desired power setting through a single control. "You can now forget about managing the engine and focus on flying," Williams says.

The Williams software and wire harness for connecting a laptop to the FADEC is supplied as a routine part of the owner's pack. Cessna does not provide a laptop.

Eisele says: "When data has to be reloaded, it can take 30 to 40 minutes, it is not feasible to carry out the process with a battery powered laptop. Therefore a ground power unit and a compatible plug-in laptop is required. New these items can cost around $5,000. It can be argued that this is not a great expense when compared with the purchase of a $7 million aircraft. However, it is the inconvenience and the fact that such problems should be ironed out before the aircraft is delivered."

A Cessna spokesman says: "A regular laptop computer can be used for the procedure so the expectation is that customers will simply use one they already have, rather than having to buy one especially." But he adds: "The FADEC issue arises when procedures are used that do not comply with the flight manual, for example when powering down the aircraft. However, to accommodate clients who wish to follow their own routines we have been working with Williams on a software upgrade, expected in the coming quarter, that will address this issue."

Eisele says: "The aircraft is basically terrific. Its size and performance is very good. It can perform at 20,000ft with an average speed of between 350 and 370 knots which is great. Its climbing ability is excellent."

Cessna says the CJ3's standard cockpit configuration features the most advanced, fully integrated digital avionics suite ever offered in this class of aircraft. "It consolidates all primary flight, navigation and engine data into large, easy-to-scan LCD displays. The Collins Pro Line 21 package is recognised by the entire industry as a genuine breakthrough in pilot workload reduction and situational awareness."

EFD Eisele Flugdienst charters a CJ, CJ2 and CJ3 and a CJ2+ is on order.

Eisele says: "Our focus is on the medium range European market which stretches from Tenerife to Russia with a core general range of 1,800 nm to 1,900 nm. We are happy with the medium range fleet. However, we are reviewing widebody jets as we assess the best way to approach the longer range market.

The company was launched in 1996 with a Cessna and another was added. "There we moved upmarket to the CJ2 for longer range and comfort."

Eisele says a major reason behind the increase in demand for charter aircraft is dissatisfaction with scheduled airline services.

"Business people are not prepared to put up with the lengthy delays and the inconvenience. This disaffection is combined with the business needs related to strong economies and with the manufacturing growth in Eastern Europe. More and more executives from medium-size companies want to travel safely and efficiently. Charter operators such as ourselves are attractive because we can fly when people want to fly and we can access the smaller, more convenient airports."