Gone are the old steam gauges on the Q200, formerly in service with Mesa Airlines but then parked in Tucson before showing up on Air Iceland’s radar, and in their place is a five-screen integrated panel largely built by Universal Avionics, also from Tucson.

Below is a compendium of videos I took from the jump seat using a Gopro cam. First is the takeoff around 10:30 am (note that it’s still dark that time of year) on the leg to Isafjordur; the interesting landing in Isafjordur, the takeoff from Isafjordur back to Reykjavik, and the landing at Reyjavik.

Enjoy!



Field Aviation of Toronto has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC 10039339)) from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for installation of the Universal Avionics EFI-890R display system in the full line of classic DASH 8 aircraft, including the 100-, 200- and 300-series models. The STC was issued on 27 April, 2012. The EASA STC follows an earlier STC granted by Transport Canada covering the same installation. FAA certification is pending.

The upgrade features five identical Universal Avionics EFI-890R, high definition LCD flat panel displays of which four primarily present the pilots with navigation and flight information and the fifth (centre display) presents engine information. The system provides full redundancy by allowing information to be switched between the five displays, as well as a modular upgrade path for features such as synthetic vision, radio control units, flight management systems and weather radar upgrades.

Field Aviation has now completed flight deck upgrades on a DASH 8 Q300 for the Icelandic Coast Guard and a Q200 for Air Iceland, with a second Air Iceland Q200 aircraft to be delivered with the upgrade next month. The first DASH 8 Q100 to receive the flight deck upgrade is Bluebird Aviation Limited of Nairobi, Kenya with an aircraft in production now and a second scheduled for later this year. When Field Aviation delivers the Bluebird Aviation Q100, it will be significant in that all three series of classic DASH 8s will then be operating with Field Aviation’s EFI-890R based flight deck modernization upgrade.

“This new EASA approval opens up a significant market for us, internationally,” said Brian Love, Field Aviation’s chief commercial officer. “Overall, the Classic DASH 8 population numbers in the hundreds; we can now bring them into the full-digital world.”

Field Aviation is internationally recognized as a leader in the design, engineering, integration and delivery of aircraft and systems for specialized roles and applications worldwide.

 Cincinnati, Ohio, Monday April 30, 2012. Field Aviation Company Inc. has been acquired by privately held U.S. company, Amavco Inc., from Field’s parent firm, Hunting PLC. Established in 1947 in Calgary, Alberta, Field Aviation is an international aircraft modification and parts manufacturing company with locations in Toronto, Calgary, Seattle and Cincinnati. The company’s products and services are organized around various aviation specialties including: aircraft modification, parts manufacturing, interior modifications and upgrades, avionics service and installation, as well as aircraft sales and leasing. Field Aviation operates from two Canadian production facilities totaling 150,000 square feet, and also has two U.S. offices with its corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, and its U.S. West sales office in Seattle, Washington. Field Aviation employs over 260 highly skilled staff across its entire operations.

Commenting on the acquisition, John Mactaggart, president and CEO of Field Aviation said, “Field Aviation has a long-standing and well regarded history in the aviation sector worldwide. Amavco was established with a single purpose to acquire and build companies in the aviation sector.  I see this change in ownership as a great opportunity for us all at Field Aviation. With a clear focus from the Amavco board on growing our aviation business, I am very much looking forward to continuing to work with all our dedicated staff, customers and suppliers and continuing to build on the great name of Field Aviation in the coming years.”

The acquisition of Field Aviation will allow Amavco to begin executing its growth strategy in the aviation services sector.  Amavco will retain Field’s current senior management following the completion of the acquisition, and will continue to invest in Field’s Canadian operations to drive business improvements, which will benefit both customers and employees.  Amavco plans to expand into the U.S. through organic growth and follow-on acquisitions.  The company is currently in discussions with several potential acquisition targets and is also in the early stages of identifying possible sites for its first U.S. modification center.

Commenting on Amavco’s plans for expansion in the future, chairman, Dan Magarian, said, “While we fully intend to pursue aggressive growth for our Canadian Operations, we are also excited about the prospects of growth in the U.S.   We are looking at suitable sites that will accommodate our needs and provide us appropriate incentives to help us fast-track plans.  We expect to add 80-125 new jobs within the first several years of operations in the U.S.” 

Field Aviation is internationally recognized as a leader in the design, engineering, integration and delivery of aircraft and systems for specialized roles and applications worldwide.