Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) added a new fixed wing STC to its growing list of fixed wing aircraft STCs after successfully completing NVIS STC Lighting Installation on their own Cessna 206 Aircraft.
This is the first unrestricted NVG STC issued for a Cessna that allows for the use of NVGs during take off and landing in the United States. Earlier in the year, ASU also announced another unrestricted STC for both Transport Canada and the FAA on a King Air 200 being operated in Canada with the same take off and landing with NVG capabilities.
“The addition of this STC paves the way for fixed wing pilots to add another layer of safety that they previously did not have,” said ASU Chief Pilot and training instructor Justin Watlington. “Private aircraft are often flown in areas of low light and visibility. With the NVGs, pilots will be able to look for potential hazards and avoid them.”
In addition to the NVIS modification on the ASU owned Cessna, the aircraft also received new Aspen Avionics EFD1000 and MFD 1000, Garmin GNS 430 GPS / Nav/comm, Garmin GMA 340 audio panel with integrated marker beacon receiver/indicator, Garmin GNC 225 Nav/comm, Garmin GTX 330 transponder, Free Flight Radio/Radar Altimeter and Davtron digital chronometer.
Several exterior and cosmetic changes were also made to the Cessna. Aero LED Nav/Position lights, Knots 2U wingtip landing and taxi lights, Whelen LED Anti collision light, Selkirk Aviation Fiberglass interior panels that include glareshield, Ameirking 28 VDC power converter, LP Aeroplastics one piece windscreen, new paint, powder coated interior seat frames, new leather interior seats, new headliner and carpet, new yokes with ASU logos stitched into leather center pads and improved pilot PTT features on C-Plt side as well as in the yoke map lights, new rubber door seals and pneumatic door openers were also added.
The modified and remodeled C206 gives ASU the ability to also train fixed wing pilots on NVGs at ASU’s Boise, headquarters.
“ASU has trained countless rotorcraft pilots and crews,” said Director of Operations Kim Harris. “The addition of this new aircraft gives us an added ability to serve law enforcement, air medical teams, and other operators that operate both fixed and rotorcraft equipment.”
ASU now holds fixed wing STCs for NVGs on the Cessna 206, Cessna 208 Caravan, CASA C212, DHC-6 Twin Otter and the King Air 200.
