2012-10-31

AMI Aviation Services, LLC (AMI) announced it is taking pre orders for a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) Kit with optional installation services to retrofit the Beechcraft 1900D Airliner with proven Garmin G950 glass panel technology.  The G950 avionics will thoroughly modernize the aging 1900D cockpit and offer operators dramatic life cycle cost benefits including greater reliability, reduced weight, simplified fleet-wide training, and a flexible architecture designed to accommodate future technology in this legendary commuter airliner and corporate shuttle/VIP aircraft.

SEARCA S. A. (SEARCA), the premier charter airline of Columbia, has teamed with AMI in this project to be the launch customer for the initial sixteen (16) Beech 1900D G950 retrofits.  SEARCA, also a Garmin dealer, is currently the only authorized G1000/G950 installation facility in Columbia and neighboring countries.  After AMI completes the initial certification aircraft installation at its facility in Sanford, FL, SEARCA will perform the G950 retrofits on its remaining fleet of 1900Ds in Bogota, Columbia at SEARCA's full service facility.  "As the largest B1900D operator in America, this cockpit upgrade will allow SEARCA to have the best equipped 1900D fleet in the market, increase the resale value of the aircraft, and continue to improve the safety which is the major goal of our operation" said Capt. Jorge Campillo, Searca's President.

AMI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AeroMech Incorporated, is an FAA part 145 Repair Station with PMA specializing in the design, fabrication, kitting, installation, and repair of complex aircraft electrical harnesses and avionics systems.  Experienced on commercial, military and general aviation aircraft, the firm's repair station operations specifications allow AMI to install and repair avionics systems in most fixed or rotary-wing aircraft at its hangar on the Orlando /Sanford International Airport (KSFB) or offsite.  Drawing on its relationship with AeroMech Incorporated, an FAA STC ODA and industry leader in aircraft engineering and certification services, AMI provides comprehensive and intelligent aviation solutions to its customers worldwide, including projects such as this 1900D cockpit retrofit.  "I'm excited for the opportunity to team with SEARCA, AeroMech and Garmin to bring to market an affordable cockpit upgrade that delivers tangible operational cost benefits, improved situational awareness and safety, as well as unparalleled reliability in a presentation instantly familiar to scores of pilots who have progressed through the training ranks with Garmin cockpits," said Paul Vermast, AMI's Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

This STC will be available for select Garmin dealers to install when complete.  PMA-approved installation and harness kits will be sold through AMI to ensure a quality retrofit and drastically reduce installation down time.  "We've seen great success with our integrated flight deck upgrades in the Beechcraft King Air series because of the way it brings leading edge capabilities and breathes new life into the aircraft," said Carl Wolf, Garmin's Vice President of Aviation Sales and Marketing. "We're thrilled that with the help of AMI, AeroMech and SEARCA our offering of flight deck upgrades are expanding to include the Beechcraft 1900D, providing new, state-of-the-art capabilities to operators around the world."

Expected Availability 2nd Quarter, 2013

Standard Garmin Equipment:

Three-Screen Garmin G950 System.

Dual, 10.4” Primary Flight Displays with Garmin Synthetic Vision Technology
15” Multi-Function Display with Engine Indicating System
Dual, Attitude Heading and Reference System
Dual, Air Data Computers
Dual, Audio Panels with Intercom
Flight Director Control Panel
Alpha/Numeric FMS Controller Keypad
Class A Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS-A).
Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS 1) with dual, quad-pole antennas
ADS-B “Out” Compliant, Dual Extended Squitter Transponders with Dual Diversity Antennas.
Solid-State Doppler Weather Radar with 12” Antenna, Automatic Tilt Compensation, and Pulse Compression Technology.

Optional Garmin Equipment:

TCAS II including Resolution Advisories, Dual High-Power Extended Squitter Transponders, Dual Diversity Antennas, and Radar Altimeter.
XM Weather & XM Radio Receiver for in-cockpit weather information.  (North America Coverage and Availability).
Iridium Satellite Receiver for in-cockpit (Global) Weather, Voice, and Text Messaging to any compatible phone or email address Worldwide.  (Worldwide Coverage).



About AMI Aviation Services, LLC
AMI Aviation Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AeroMech Incorporated, is an FAA part 145 Repair Station with Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) specializing in the design, fabrication, kitting, installation, modification, and repair of complex aircraft electrical harnesses and avionics systems.  Experienced on commercial, military and general aviation aircraft, the firm's repair station operations specifications allow AMI Aviation to install and repair avionics systems in most fixed or rotary-wing aircraft at its hangar on the Orlando /Sanford International Airport (KSFB) or offsite with no geographical limitation utilizing its “go teams”.  For more information, visit www.amiaviation.com or contact AMI Aviation at 407.585.6130.

About AeroMech Incorporated
AeroMech Incorporated, an FAA STC ODA, specializes in aircraft engineering and certification services, including RVSM, for aircraft OEMs, modification shops, and owner/operators. Since its inception in 1995, AeroMech has completed over 150 STCs, 450 flight-tests, and successfully certified more than 6,500 commercial, military and business aircraft through 19 regulatory agencies worldwide.  For more information, visit www.aeromechinc.com or contact AeroMech at 425.252.3236.

About SEARCA
Servicio Aereo de Capurgana SEARCA S.A., based in Bogota, Colombia with additional operations in Medellin, Barranquilla and San Andres Islas, is Colombia's largest operator, providing total national and regional coverage, serving Government Agencies, Oil and Energy Companies working in Colombia, as well as several airlines and tourism industry operators.  SEARCA's fleet consists of 25 turboprops - 19 passenger aircraft, 4 Hawker 400's and a Gulfstream G200.  SEARCA S.A., an approved Repair Station and engineering/maintenance service provider, performs high level maintenance for its own fleet and for 3rd party operators, including Garmin Integrated Flight Deck retrofits, up to the G1000 system.  For more information, visit www.searca.com.co, or contact SEARCA at (305) 280-6256.

About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin's products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

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