In December, Collins Aerospace announced a comprehensive avionics upgrade and modernization program for Beechcraft King Air aircraft and two of its most popular systems. Designed to enhance aircraft operability, safety and efficiency, the initiative introduces several new safety features to both avionics suites and makes it possible to convert King Air 200 and 300 aircraft from the Pro Line 21 system to the Pro Line Fusion flight deck.
According to Nathan Voight, vice president and general manager of Business and Regional Avionics for Collins Aerospace, the program includes:
Comprehensive system upgrades for factory-installed Pro Line Fusion King Air 200 and 300 series aircraft. These aircraft can receive the latest Fusion software release, aligning with the newest production aircraft. This includes Collins’ MultiScan weather radar that provides real-time weather data and threat detection, giving pilots a holistic view of weather conditions without the hassle of needing to manually adjust the radar.
This Fusion upgrade also includes improved communication, navigation and surveillance capabilities to meet the latest standards, inclusive of FANS 1/A+ and ATN-B1. CPDLC datalink capabilities are also included, enabling reliable text-based messaging and satellite connectivity to ensure communication is possible in areas where ground-based systems may be unavailable.
Confidentiality is enhanced with the implementation of Privacy ICAO Address (PIA) for aircraft ADS-B anonymity, enhancing aircraft position anonymity.
Finally, the latest Pro Line Fusion software update supports various combinations of engines and propellers, most notably the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 engines and PT6A-67A Blackhawk engines.
Upgrading Pro Line 21-equipped King Air 200 and 300 series aircraft to Pro Line Fusion. This upgrade includes all the above plus Fusion’s enhanced user interface, intuitive controls and fully integrated 14-inch touchscreen displays.
Pro Line 21 modernization upgrades for King Air 200 and 300 series aircraft. This includes many of the above, inclusive of MultiScan weather radar, FANS1/A+, ATN-B1, CPDLC datalink and PIA, while also providing Dual FMS and GPS options that provide redundance and enhanced navigational capabilities for flight operations.
Collins’ Pro Line Fusion advanced avionics system became factory standard equipment for the King Air 90, 200 and 300 series in 2015. Textron Aviation announced this upgrade in late 2014, with deliveries beginning in early 2015. The 250 model was the first to integrate Fusion as part of Textron’s factory-issued modernization initiatives. The 350 system became standard later that same year.
The Pro Line Fusion suite features intuitive touchscreen displays and advanced communication, navigation and surveillance tools, integrating synthetic vision, enhanced navigation and simplified flight planning for greater pilot control and efficiency.
The Pro Line 21 system provides a fully integrated, reliable digital cockpit with high-resolution displays and streamlined communication, navigation and surveillance capabilities designed for enhanced situational awareness and workload reduction.
“Thousands of King Airs were installed with Pro Line 21 avionics during the turn of the century and through the mid-2010s, with the system still the most widely used avionics suite for King Air aircraft,” Voight said. “Fusion installations have also steadily increased with new production King Air models offering Fusion avionics as standard equipment beginning midway through the last decade, amounting to around 600 installed aircraft. Additionally, Collins has offered King Air operators various system upgrades to existing Pro Line 21 and Pro Line Fusion systems throughout the years, maintaining Collins’ position on the initial install base.”
Collins said this modernization initiative, which also encompasses several Hawker aircraft, is supported by a customer service program that includes a dealer network and install base. Collins is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is a division of RTX. Learn more at collinsaerospace.com.