San Antonio, Texas-based Part 145 Avionics Services International (ASI) has expanded its cockpit upgrade services to include turbine aircraft. ASI assists operators with implementing Garmin forward-fit and retrofit glass flight deck and flight display solutions.

The pace of advanced cockpit technology far exceeds that of new airframe development. With this emergence, a proliferation of flight performance data is now at the fingertips of the well-equipped pilot. Integration of the modern cockpit into older airframes is essential. To this end, Ronny Salamon, president of Platinum Aviation and its subsidiary ASI, has been working with jet owner/operators since the early years of the digital cockpit revolution. ASI moved into San Antonio's SkyPlace FBO more recently and is the factory authorised Garmin dealer in San Antonio and the south Texas region.

ASI performs flight deck upgrades incorporating Garmin avionics designed to bring older jets and turboprops the ‘best and brightest’.

Central to a variety of upgrade services performed at ASI are Garmin's integrated flight deck offerings, including the G5000. Now standard on Learjet, Cessna and Beechjet models, the G5000 adds high-resolution displays and Synthetic Vision Technology, both representing hallmarks of flight deck sophistication, and are much favoured by today's jet operators.

The advantages of the G5000 system are numerous, as the Garmin displays incorporate all aspects of cockpit instrumentation from PFD to FMS to autopilot. Pilots agree that they are a vast improvement over many factory original flight decks. The G5000 has an intuitive touchscreen interface, with shallow menus and audible feedback, making them easy to master. This and more, such as automated flight guidance and control systems, streamline cockpit operations. A significant upgrade with a marked return on investment, the G5000 can turn any jet airframe into a truly modern aircraft.

In addition to the G5000 series, ASI is well-versed in installing other Garmin display systems including G600/700 TXi touchscreen flight displays for Part 25 aircraft, turboprops and early model Citation jets. The company has been performing avionics updates on turbine aircraft since TCAS, WAAS, RVSM and ADS-B technologies began compelling operators to modernise. ASI understands the need for replacing unserviceable Bendix and Sperry autopilots or Honeywell Primus and Collins Pro Line avionics, to ensure long-term operational support of an airframe.

Garmin's round-dial GI 275 digital flight instrument, now widely adopted, introduced many of the features of Garmin's larger displays as an economical upgrade for operators of nearly all GA aircraft, including the 500 series Cessna Citations. ASI understands the importance of this novel device. The GI 275 provides a more reliable electronic standby instrument system functioning as an attitude indicator, plus a great deal more. The Garmin dial can add synthetic vision, autopilot integration and touchscreen features, seamlessly incorporating all the standard readouts of attitude, altitude, airspeed and heading. It's an essential upgrade for any operator.

ASI emerged from roots in commercial and military aircraft electronics and has enjoyed persistent success with turning ageing cockpits of early model aircraft into modern flyers.

One customer who operates a Piper Meridian along the Texas Gulf Coast region, Ajit David, says: “Every time we fly we think of Ronny. His shop performed a complete avionics replacement. This was our first plane, the cost of the update was very reasonable, and it was completed in a good timeframe. Ronny kept us updated on the progress all along the way.”

“For jet operators, the top reason for a flight deck upgrade is going from analogue to digital,” says Salamon. “We're able to give operators the best available instruments in a digital platform. Going with Garmin ensures many years of reliable use. Day-to-day operational efficiency is also part of the package.”