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In addition to GE Honda HF120 engine and aerodynamic upgrades, the Sapphire program will incorporate new technology avionics systems to integrate the airframe and engine modifications. The avionics integration, likely based on the Bendix King AeroVue platform, will provide the Citation Jet with state-of-the-art flight deck displays, integrating critical health parameters for the new engine.
Mark Huffstutler, founder and CEO of the SkyWay Group remarked, “The 525 Citation Jet is an ideal platform to bring together two of the current industry-leading technologies in one retrofit solution. The avionics choices being discussed for this project will set a new standard for flight deck arrangements for the general aviation retrofit market.”
The Sapphire program targets all 525 series Cessna business jets, including all CitationJet, CJ1 and CJ1+ models. Sierra’s sister company, SkyWay Aerospace Technologies (SWAT) and Honeywell’s Bendix King are in discussions on the level of integration required for this fleet upgrade as well as the improved utility and pilot’s situational awareness that can be accommodated through the highly sophisticated avionics platform.
Derived from industry leading Honeywell avionics systems used worldwide on large and midsize business jets and air transport aircraft, the AeroVue Integrated Flight Deck offers a sophisticated avionics platform including industry-leading Flight Management System, Autopilot, SmartView Synthetic Vision, and INAV functionality with electronic charts displayed on three large LCD screens. Also included is a robust inflight Internet solution, the BendixKing AeroWave 100.
