The Aircraft and Owner

Blackcomb Aviation operates an executive air-transport charter service based at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). They recently acquired an additional Cessna Citation 550 Bravo. After importation the jet aircraft was immediately flown to Maxcraft’s hangar facility at Pitt Meadows Airport for refitting prior to beginning operational service.

The Need

The aircraft needed to upgrade from TCAS I to TCAS II. In Canada, commercial aircraft require TCAS II to operate in RVSM airspace.In addition, the project called for concurrent installation of a completely new executive interior package to make the aircraft more in line with the rest of their fleet.

The Maxcraft Solution

  • Honeywell TCAS II with dual MST 67A Mode S Transponders
  • New Artex C406-N ELT
  • Executive Interior Package
  • Inverter to provide passengers with power supply (laptop plug-in)

The Story

This project was actually the third in a series of Citation Bravo TCAS II systems we have completed for this customer. On this particular aircraft a Honeywell TCAS I system along with dual panel mounted Mode S transponders were removed and a new Honeywell TCAS II system was installed. Additionally, dual MST 67A Mode S diversity transponders were installed

Commercial aircraft often do multiple upgrades during down-times to maximize flight time in the long run. Accommodating this practice, an executive interior replacement package was installed during the upgrades. We facilitated this process by working with Port Aircraft Interiors, a reputable interiors specialist. Additionally, for two of the aircraft, Maxcraft installed a power inverter to provide cabin passengers with a 115 VAC interior power outlet.

For the first two aircraft Maxcraft also installed new Universal Flight Management Systems. With the third aircraft, a pre-existing Universal UNS-1Lw WAAS Flight Management System was actually already installed. The UNS-1Lw is comprised of a 4-inch FPCDU (flat panel control display unit) along with a remotely mounted navigation computer which includes the integral GPS / WAAS receiver. This system can provide Localizer Performance with Vertical (LPV) guidance and flight planning functions. Learn more about WAAS/SBAS Universal Flight Management Systems by clicking here (pdf)