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last modified: Friday, March 11, 2005 |
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original release date:
3/8/05 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Civil Air Patrol on the cutting edge with new glass cockpit Cessna
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| MAXWELL AFB, AL. — Civil Air Patrol will take delivery of its first Cessna 182T Skylane, equipped with the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit, at the Cessna manufacturing plant in Independence, Kansas on March 16. CAP is ordering 40 Cessna 182s and one Cessna 206 with glass cockpits to replace older aircraft in CAP's single-engine fleet. It's important for CAP to use the best that technology has to offer," said Maj. Gen. Dwight Wheless, CAP national commander. "The Garmin system integrates the aircraft's primary flight, engine and sensor data and displays it on two full-color LCD screens in the cockpit. That gives the pilot greater situational awareness and makes him more effective - and safer - as he flies our CAP missions. Since the safety of our members is our number-one concern, we're especially enthusiastic about this new technology." CAP owns a fleet of 550 single-engine piston aircraft strategically located throughout the United States. Most are Cessna 172 and 182 models and are used in a variety of aerial imaging, communications, emergency transport and reconnaissance missions. The G1000 system includes fully-integrated navigational and communications equipment, according to CAP National Headquarters Executive Director Al Allenback, a retired Air Force fighter pilot. "Glass cockpits are the future," he said. "Safety, reliability, and situational awareness are all enhanced. Personally, I prefer instrument flight with the glass cockpit because the cross check and the trend information are all presented on one multifunction display." CAP will celebrate delivery of its first glass cockpit-equipped Skylane Wednesday. CAP and Cessna leaders will gather for the official transfer of keys at Cessna's single-engine aircraft manufacturing plant in Independence, Kansas. The high-wing Cessna Skylane seats four and can fly about five hours between stops for refueling. With full fuel it can carry 600 pounds of crew and/or cargo. The aircraft cruises at approximately 155 mph. CAP members use the Skylane for search and rescue, disaster relief, counterdrug reconnaissance and homeland security missions. Its features allow CAP to fly "low and slow" for aerial imaging. CAP frequently uses the C-182 as a platform for missions requiring satellite-transmitted digital imaging. In those cases, the Skylane's interior layout accommodates the crew and equipment necessary to take digital photos from the air and transmit them immediately via satellite phone and laptop to personnel on the ground. CAP used this system to transmit more than 1,000 photos from Cessna aircraft last summer to support relief efforts after four major hurricanes swept the Southeast. The Florida Emergency Management Agency relied heavily on CAP imagery to determine where to send emergency responders. All CAP's new C-182s will come equipped with this high-tech satellite-transmitted digital imaging system. Cessna officials say the company is pleased to be part of an ongoing partnership with the Civil Air Patrol. Jack J. Pelton, chairman, president and CEO of Cessna Aircraft, remembers that CAP took delivery of its first Independence-built Skyhawks back in in August, 1997 - just over one year from the grand opening of the Cessna Single Engine facility. "We are proud to be able to provide CAP with safe, reliable aircraft to accomplish their often times life-saving missions," Pelton said. |
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