MISSOULA, Montana -- Neptune Aviation Services has become an authorized Garmin dealer, and can now provide its customers with Garmin's line of aviation supplies and avionics solutions, including GPS navigation systems, transponders, displays, and other aviation products. Neptune can also deliver comprehensive Garmin services, including system upgrades, technical support and maintenance, aircraft painting, and inspections. Neptune said that, having installed Garmin equipment in its own fleet, the company has the experience to manage aircraft conversions and, by providing ancillary services, can help minimize aircraft downtime.

Jennifer Draughon, President of Neptune Aviation, said, "Garmin is the future of the aviation industry, particularly for those seeking to upgrade and extend the life of older aircraft. Securing authorization as a Garmin dealer connects us with the global leader in avionics technology, and we are working aggressively to become the leading Garmin installation, troubleshooting, and consultants in the Western United States. This partnership reinforces our commitment to provide top-tier solutions to our customers and builds on Neptune Aviation's position as a leader in the aviation industry."

Neptune can provide Garmin products to private aircraft owners, businesses, charter jets, and government agencies. It can install and service Garmin products on any type of aircraft, including helicopters and experimental craft.

"At Neptune, we have a team of experts with more than 145 years of experience in avionics. When we install new avionics equipment or service existing systems, our customers will know that their aircraft's safety is our top priority," said Christopher Smith, Avionics Manager at Neptune Aviation.

Smith added that, in addition to Garmin, Neptune is also authorized to install and maintain uAvionix, Trig, and Bendix King avionics solutions.

Neptune is based in Missoula, Montana. Its core services are airtanker fire suppression, aircraft maintenance, non-destructive testing, metal fabrication, charter air service, and flight lessons. Neptune said that it has been the primary provider of aerial firefighting services to the U.S. Forest Service for more than 30 years.

Source: Neptune Aviation Services

De Havilland Canada has begun manufacturing parts and components for its new DHC-515 Firefighter amphibious aircraft, having recently completed a Critical Design Review of the aircraft. Meanwhile, the official start of the production phase of the DHC-515 program is awaiting finalization of contracts with launch customers.

De Havilland Canada is currently manufacturing DHC-515 parts at its facility at Victoria International Airport in British Columbia. Plans call for aircraft final assembly to take place at the company’s plant in Calgary, Alberta, until a new aircraft manufacturing facility has been completed in Wheatland County, Alberta. Construction of this new facility, which will be known as De Havilland Field, is scheduled to get underway in early 2024. Final assembly of the DHC-515 is to be transferred to De Havilland Field once the initial buildings at the site are operational, which company management believes could happen as soon as 2026.

Deliveries of the DHC-515 are planned to begin for 2027. The DHC-515 is an enhanced version of the earlier CL-415, which was manufactured by Bombardier from the mid-1990s to 2015. De Havilland Canada currently owns the type certificates for the CL-415 and its CL-215 and CL-215T predecessors.

The DHC-515 features a Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite and increased water tank capacity (7,000 liters/1,850 U.S. gallons). Customers can choose among various options that include a spray boom, an enlarged cargo door, a medevac interior, and a maritime patrol/search-and-rescue sensor suite.

The DHC-515 program was officially launched by De Havilland Canada in March 2022. By the time of the program launch, customers in six European countries (Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) had signed letters of intent for a combined total of 22 DHC-515s. In July 2023, European Union officials floated a proposal for the procurement of 24 DHC-515s. Twelve of the aircraft would be owned by the EU itself, and operated on a pooled basis. The remaining 12 would be utilized by the aforementioned six nations, all of which are EU members, in their own individual national fleets.

De Havilland Canada has a purchase agreement from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense for six DHC-515s. Two of the aircraft are to be built in an aerial firefighting configuration, while the other four are to be delivered in a multimission configuration. Various provincial and territorial agencies in Canada have also displayed interest in acquiring the DHC-515.

Source: https://flightplan.forecastinternational.com/2023/10/02/de-havilland-canada-begins-parts-production-for-dhc-515/
Author: R. Jaworowski, Senior Analyst 

OLATHE, Kan. -- Garmin announced a long-term agreement to provide the Garmin G3000®integrated flight deck to BETA Technologies for its CX300 revolutionary electric fixed-wing aircraft and A250 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The conventional fixed wing CX300 aircraft and A250 eVTOL aircraft are designed to enable a diverse range of missions and operations including short-haul transport operations for military, cargo, medical, and passenger applications. BETA intends to enter into service as early as 2025 with its ALIA CTOL (CX300), and as early as 2026 with its ALIA VTOL (A250).

"We've been strategically working with BETA for several years in their effort towards bringing a sustainable aviation solution to the market. It's an honor to have our integrated flight deck chosen for the revolutionary A250 and CX300 aircraft and we are thrilled to be part of BETA's mission to grow the electric aviation market," said Phil Straub, Garmin Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Aviation.

Garmin's integrated flight deck boasts vibrant high-resolution flights displays and the latest communication, navigation, surveillance air traffic management (CNS/ATM) based on a lightweight and highly flexible open system architecture design enabling integration with BETA's flight control, propulsion, and battery management systems. Garmin says its architecture and development process enables BETA to leverage the latest in flight deck technologies while seamlessly integrating BETA's fly-by-wire system and human machine interface designs for electric propulsion and novel operations in an eVTOL aircraft.

"Garmin is widely recognized as the leader in avionics, we're excited to be able to bring this familiar and time-tested experience to our customers. It's gratifying to have the support of this legacy aerospace company as we look to bring our electric aircraft to market. They've been a true strategic collaborator as we work together to develop the next era of sustainable aviation," said Kyle Clark, BETA Founder and CEO.

Source: Garmin International
Associated URL: https://www.prnewswire.com