TBO Extension gains STC for Cessna Citation jets
TBO Extension adds to its growing certified aircraft portfolio utilizing Latitude’s ENode Engine Data Acquisition Unit and IONode Digital Data Recorder
Latitude Technologies, a supplier of avionics hardware and satcom connectivity solutions, has received a TBO Extension STC (supplemental type certificate) for both the ENode Engine Data Acquisition Unit (DAU) and IONode Digital Data Recorder (DDR). This certification will enable the installation of Latitude’s DAU and DDR onboard several aircraft, including the Cessna 550 (Citation II), S550 (Citation S/II), and 560 (Citation V and Ultra) utilizing Pratt & Whitney engine models. This adds to a previous STC for the Hawker 400A / XP aircraft using Latitude Technologies’ data equipment. The latest STC permits Latitude’s ENode DAU and IONode DDR to function as a key component of TBO Extension’s time interval extensions for business jet operators.
Fleet management capabilities enhanced
According to Latitude Technologies’ Director of Sales David Thomas, this approval is a great benefit for operators seeking to update their fleet management capabilities and extend the life of their aircraft’s engines overhaul interval by 2,000 hours. “We are very excited about these latest STCs for Cessna operators,” said Thomas. “Latitude’s ENode DAU and IONode DDR’s will certainly provide operators with powerful opportunities to maximize cost efficiencies for their Citation jets. The overall TBO extension program is a small investment that could save business jet operators millions on required engine upgrades.”
Latitude’s ENode DAU is designed to provide a cost-effective and future-proof alternative to traditional data acquisition units, providing a complete analysis and detection tool to monitor aircraft engines’ health and stability. The system enables Engine Condition Trend Monitoring (ECTM), FDM, and fuel management programs that automate engine data transmission and correct atmospheric conditions for improved safety and fuel management.
The IONode DDR provides a lightweight flight data collection system for developing automated data-driven FDM and FOQA management programs to complement this system. By recording and transmitting data, the IONode DDR’s highly configurable digital and analog inputs allow operators to analyze data to fulfill fleet-specific program goals with extreme accuracy. Data uploading from onboard programs to fleet management is also streamlined through built-in WiFi offloading capabilities, which provide regular data transmission to Latitude’s servers without pilot or technician action – reducing error and improving efficiency.