Eagle Creek Aviation Services has received FAA Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for Garmin G950 installations in Twin Commander aircraft. The G950 is an integrated all-electronic flight deck that introduces new levels of situational awareness, simplicity, and safety to the Twin Commander cockpit. The G950 is the complete Garmin 1000 package with the exception that it incorporates the S-TEC 2100 Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) rather than a Garmin autopilot.
The initial STC covers 695A s/n 96000 – 96055 Commander 1000s. Eagle Creek expects other turboprop models soon will be added to the STC.
The Garmin G950 integrates all primary flight, navigation, communication, terrain, traffic, and weather on a large, 12.4-inch multifunction display and two 10.4-inch primary flight displays.
The total panel transformation also includes removal of all engine and system sensors and instrumentation, and their replacement with new fuel, oil, and hydraulic system pressure transducers and new engine fuel-flow transmitters. All engine and systems information is displayed electronically on the MFD. The new components provide more data on demand than the old sensors and analog instrumentation, and eliminate 200 pounds or more of wiring and equipment.
Eagle Creek also engineered and designed a Crew Alerting System (CAS) for the G950 upgrade that allows for removal of the old annunciator panel. CAS messages appear on the 950’s MFD.
The G950 Commander package also is WAAS-certified.
Eagle Creek’s STC allows for customization and offers optional equipment including Garmin’s new TCAS systems and the GWX-70 radar. The capable new Garmin radar offers ground clutter suppression, turbulence detection, and advanced Doppler accuracy. Additional optional equipment includes ChartView and Synthetic Vision. Owners of model 840, 980, 900, and 1000 Commanders can order optional RVSM certification and approval with their Garmin G950.
All of the equipment additions and integration inherent in the G950 transform the Twin Commander panel. Existing owners and operators will enjoy the many new capabilities, while owners and operators new to the Twin Commander will find the same level of sophistication seen in jet cockpits. “This is an important step for us to be able to provide the latest cockpit technology to the Twin Commander community,” said Eagle Creek CEO Matt Hagans. “A lot of pilots have flown only on glass panels, and this STC makes the Twin Commander a viable option for them.”
The Commander G950 program is marketed and supported by Twin Commander Aircraft and the worldwide Twin Commander Service Center network. “With the new Garmin integrated electronic flight deck, the Twin Commander truly is a contemporary aircraft by any technological, performance, and capability standard,” noted Twin Commander Aircraft President Matt Isley. “Our engine, airframe, and now cockpit upgrades have propelled Twin Commanders to the head of the turboprop class, where they will remain for many years to come.”
“Eagle Creek spent two years certifying the Garmin G950 for the Twin Commander,” noted Project Manager Randy Morelock. “We tested and developed the conversion in a Commander 1000, and already have three airplanes in our Indianapolis maintenance facility undergoing the conversion, including two more Commander 1000s and a Commander 900.”
For more information contact Twin Commander Aircraft or Eagle Creek Aviation Services.
http://www.twincommander.com/contact.html
