Aircraft maintenance provider Chicago Jet Group (CJG) announced planned certifications for retrofit installations of a future air navigation system (FANS) 1/A+ and controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) retrofit for the Dassault Falcon 900 and Gulfstream G-IV business jets.
The retrofit meets the upcoming Eurocontrol Link 2000+ mandate for CPDLC to supplement voice communication between pilots and air traffic controllers, part of the Single European Sky (SES) program. The Eurocontrol Link 2000+ mandate becomes effective in 2015.
CJG said it will utilize International Communications Group (ICG) NxtLink ICS-220A Iridium Satcom for Iridium system AOC and ATC data link messaging and communications.
The Falcon 900 retrofit is based on the integrated retrofit system that has already been certified for the Falcon 50.
Gulftream’s G-IV will be the third airframe to receive the FANS retrofit certification with CJG.
"We knew that the Gulfstream operators were desperately looking for a FANS/CPDLC solution and the demand for that solution needed to be answered quickly. We have our first G-IV FANS aircraft customer and the equipment will be installed by the end of November with FAA certification expected to take about 4 months," said Mike Mitera, president of Chicago Jet Group.
CJG expects certification for both airframes by the first quarter of 2014.
Related: Business Avionics News