Estimated reading time 4 minutes, 3 seconds.
Once certification is complete, the PC-12 would be added as an additional model to Advent’s existing supplemental type certificate for the system on the Eclipse EA500/550 and the King Air B300/300C series aircraft. Advent Aircraft Systems Photo
Advent Aircraft Systems, during meetings with the Federal Aviation Administration on Aug. 2, launched certification on the Pilatus PC-12 of its proven, advanced-technology, light-weight anti-skid braking system (Advent eABS). Once certification is complete, the PC-12 would be added as an additional model to Advent’s existing supplemental type certificate for the system on the Eclipse EA500/550 and the King Air B300/300C series aircraft.
Advent eABS benefits for the PC-12 operator include: improved braking in all runway conditions without the risk of flat spotted or blown tires, reducing risk to the aircraft and flight schedules; an alternative to the use of reverse thrust to reduce prop erosion and the risk of foreign object damage ingestion; and the ability to confidently apply the brakes immediately after touchdown or in situations where hard braking is desired, such as a rejected takeoff.
As part of the PC-12 launch, Advent authorized dealers are offering a discount that could be as much as $5,000 on the labour used to install the system. All Advent eABS dealers are also Pilatus authorized service centres (see aircraftsystems.aero/dealers.php).
The offer is open to the first 10 operators in the U.S. that commit to purchasing eABS for their PC-12 during the incentive program, with delivery subject to certification. Advent anticipates certification by the end of the year.
The incentive program runs until Nov. 3, the last day of the 2016 NBAA convention.
“This is the first anti-skid braking system ever offered for the PC-12 and we believe the demand for it will be significant,” said Tom Grunbeck, Advent VP of marketing and sales. “The incentive program is meant to reward early buyers for their confidence in our product and for helping Advent build backlog during certification. We have eABS kits ready to go and look forward to supporting our dealers and their customers with inquiries and orders.”
Suggested list price for the PC-12 eABS is US$50,604 plus installation labour. Before the incentive discount, installation labour pricing can vary from an estimated US$8,000 to $10,000, depending on whether or not the installation occurs during other maintenance or inspections.
The incentive program reduces the price of installation labour by 50 per cent, saving the PC-12 owner an estimated US$4,000 to $5,000.
All models of the PC-12 are eligible for eABS installation, provided the aircraft is equipped with a wide area augmentation system (WAAS) enabled GPS, such as the Honeywell Apex, Garmin or IS&S WAAS GPS products. The eABS is light weight (27 pounds installed), comes with all required installation hardware included, downtime is minimal and requires no changes to the existing PC-12 brake system.
Installation of the eABS in conjunction with ADS-B or a WAAS/ localizer performance with vertical guidance GPS is an especially efficient and cost-effective way to accomplish both upgrades.
Interested U.S. operators should contact their preferred Pilatus authorized service centre as soon as possible to arrange for their purchase and discount.
