Clay Lacy Aviation received FAA STC approval for its Fans 1/A+ solution for the Gulfstream GIV and GIV-SP. The company is doing installations at its Van Nuys, Calif. FAA repair station, as well as making the STC available to Universal Avionics authorized dealers.
"Our Fans program is designed to provide Gulfstream owners the most cost-effective and convenient solution with increased functionality and ease of operation to meet current and future worldwide mandates," said Jim Lauer, director of avionics for Clay Lacy Aviation. The upgrade gives the client the option of using the existing Honeywell MCS-6000/7000 or an Iridium-based solution that meets the current TSO-c159A.
According to Lauer, there are approximately 470 Gulfstreams that are candidates for the equipment, which will cost an estimated $200,000 and take seven to 10 days to install in a good candidate aircraft. An amendment to the STC to also include the Gulfstream GV is in process.
ATC facilities give preferential routing and airspace access to Fans-equipped aircraft because Fans allows air traffic control to more accurately track aircraft along the entire route, safely and efficiently accommodating more aircraft in the designated airspace. Worldwide mandates are quickly approaching that will deny non-Fans-equipped aircraft access to the most desirable and efficient North Atlantic crossing routes. By 2020, they will not be allowed to operate in Minimum Navigation Performance Specification airspace, essentially grounding their European-bound flights.
