Avidyne Corp. and S-TEC hope to get something started in the turboprop market with a fully integrated glass cockpit for the Beechcraft King Air 200 family. The partners have other model King Airs in mind for similar treatment, as well as the larger market for turboprop retrofits. The new cockpit for the King Air 200 even has a name: Alliant. The two companies have worked together for five years to deliver 2,500 cockpits in a variety of aircraft, with Avidyne integrated avionics and S-TEC autopilots. But this is the first turboprop project, and this type of aircraft is considered the next logical market with 12,000 to 15,000 aircraft available for possible retrofit. Of these, about half are King Airs.

Dealers have already signed up to begin installation of the new cockpit, which has received an STC and TSO approvals from the FAA. A King Air 200 with the new cockpit installed is on static display here at NBAA.

Retrofitting an integrated flight deck is a complicated project, and the two partners have spent the past few years making sure it will be easy for dealers to complete a certified installation.

The cockpit features dual Avidyne EXP5000 primary flight displays with impressive 10.4-in. diagonal dimensions, providing an expansive viewing area for the pilot and copilot. Each display will have its own solid-state attitude/heading reference system (ADAHRS) for enhanced reliability. A cross-compare system will monitor the dual ADAHRS and aircraft navigation systems and sound an alarm if any discrepancies are spotted.

An Avidyne EX500 multifunction display with a 5.5-in. diagonal display will provide moving map displays and XM WX satellite weather, as well as text messaging and flight tracking.

S-TEC is providing the IntelliFlight 2100 digital autopilot. The autopilot mode selected is annunciated on the primary flight display. This includes an easy-to-use indicated airspeed/hold mode that can be activated with the push of a button after a speed has been selected. The autopilot also features a control wheel steering mode.

The Alliant glass cockpit retails for about $170,000. Mark Sandeen, Avidyne's vp sales and marketing, says the new system is more than just a cockpit conversion because its capabilities can transform King Air 200 cockpit operations. Avidyne is at Booth 1236 and S-TEC is at 1044.