Banyan is First in the Southeast to Complete a Challenger 604 FANS-1A Installation

Banyan Air Service has completed its first Challenger 604 FANS-1A installation.  This is the first installation of FANS 1-A in the southeast region of the United States using the Rockwell Collins STC for the Challenger 604. 

The Rockwell Collins STC was released in September of 2015. “I am proud of how fast Neil Simon, Banyan’s avionics sales and business development manager, was able to secure a partner to complete the installation of this new STC,” said Matthew Schepers, Director of MRO Sales.  “Banyan was committed to this aircraft in October, and our avionics team rose to the challenge of this new installation while delivering an excellent product and service.  Our customer, Thomas Dietzel, flew directly to Europe the following day upon completion of the project squawk free. That speaks volumes about the talent and the drive of our avionics team.”

Dietzel, DOM for Jack Prewitt & Associates/Aviation Enterprise Inc. said, “The Banyan team did a great job with the FANS installation as well as the inspections on the Challenger 604.  Lenny Baldwin, Banyan’s Service Manager, and Neil Simon, Banyan’s avionics sales and business development manager were a pleasure to work with.  I will be bringing more aircraft to Banyan in the future.”

The full scope of the project included 12-month, 24-month maintenance inspections, 600-hour engine, APU inspections, FANS-1A installation, LPV/WAAS, ADS-B, and an LED lighting system all completed by Banyan Air Service.

In addition, RDI in Lakeland, FL completed the interior refurbishment.  “The opportunity to partner with RDI allowed the customer to obtain a quality interior while getting the updates and inspections they entrusted to Banyan,” said Greg Laabs, Director of MRO Services.   “A project of this scope requires extensive communication and team work, which allowed us to deliver the Challenger to the customer with the highest quality.”   FANS-1A pilot training was completed by Kobev International.

“We are excited for the future,’ explained Matthew.  “We have more committed FANS-1A installations for 2016 and a possible installation set for early next year.  The momentum is growing within the industry to meet the FANS-1A and ADS-B requirements, and Banyan Air Service is poised to meet our customer’s needs as demonstrated by this first installation.”