"Okay, from this point on, just assume you're flying the aircraft single pilot," said the Rockwell-Collins demonstration pilot seated in the right seat of the CitationJet 525-003 fitted with Rockwell Collins ProLine 21 avionics after we had been airborne for 20 minutes.

What were our qualifications for this vote of confidence while we were in the left seat? We had no type rating for this aircraft. We had not been to ground school for the avionics system. We had not even seen the new avionics supplement for the Approved Flight Manual.

Our preparation for this flight? The demo pilot had spent 20 minutes explaining ProLine 21 to us on the ground. He knew that the system's two, eight-by-ten-inch LCD displays , four control panels and symbology were so intuitive that any average pilot would feel comfortable flying the aircraft single-pilot in very little time.

Don't take our word for it. Rockwell-Collins is exhibiting these displays at Booth 4653. In addition, Raytheon Premier I serial number 003 is on display at PDK Airport with three ProLine 21 displays fitted to its instrument panel.

The ProLine 21 avionics package has more than just new displays. Also included are a 24-watt, high performance index, solid-state radar, dual-channel digital flight control system, digital air data computer and solid-state attitude-heading reference system. Options will include a BFGoodrich StormScope lightning sensor, enhanced GPWS with a terrain database and TCAS.

ProLine 21's basic layout is simple. The Primary Flight Display is mounted on the left side and the multi function display is near the center of the panel. AlliedSignal CNI-5000 panel-mount radios and 3ATI flat panel standby instruments complement the ProLine 21 gear. A third large-format display, including a second digital air data computer and RVSM certification, will be offered as an exchange for the standby instruments as a $118,000, 19-pound option. Certification is slated for early next year.

ProLine 21 is so much easier to master compared to previous digital avionics systems that, in our opinion, your CJ1, CJ2 or Premier I type rating check ride is going to be a lot easier than your last type rating.