Astra / Westwind Winter 2002

• Emergency Exit Improvement
• Take Good Care of Your APU
• Advanced Planning
• Duncan Aviation is now a Grimes Authorized Sales & Service Center
• Warning: Garmin GNS-430/530 Incompatibility With Older Jet Aircraft Flight Management Systems

Emergency Exit Improvement

- Tim Garrity

Sometimes, after long flights, frost will appear on the exit windows, and an uncomfortable cold draft may be coming off the exits on to the CEO. If you are getting comments about these problems, we may have a cure. We have modified an SPX to supply warm cabin air flow through the exits preventing window frost and eliminating a cold spot. It is a minor modification that can be accomplished during any scheduled inspection. We have not yet looked at completing this modification on a Westwind, but if there is enough interest, we could pursue it.

Take Good Care of Your APU

- Ron Grose

Like other turbine engine parts, the life and reliability of an APU can be enhanced by how the unit is installed, operated and serviced. APU life can be extended by ensuring that the unit is serviced and operated in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. Fuel filters and fuel nozzles must be kept clean. A dirty nozzle can lead to carbon buildup causing hot section damage and reducing the life of your APU.

Advanced Planning

- Dick Hyde

High quality maintenance facilities are usually the busiest. In order to ensure that the inspection your aircraft requires is performed at your convenience and at the facility you choose, plan your maintenance needs at least six months in advance. This will reduce scheduling frustrations and allow downtime to be kept to a minimum.

Duncan Aviation is now a Grimes Authorized Sales & Service Center

- Chris Gress

Effective immediately, Duncan Aviation is an Authorized Grimes Sales and Service Center.

The agreement gives Duncan Aviation customers access to the complete line of Grimes products including strobe power supplies, battery power supplies, rotating beacons, navigational lights, etc. In addition, customers will be able to use Duncan Aviation accessory services seven days a week for service on Grimes products.

For more information about Grimes products and Duncan Aviation accessory services, contact Chris Gress at 800.228.4277.

Warning: Garmin GNS-430/530 Incompatibility With Older Jet Aircraft Flight Management Systems

- Curt Campbell

Duncan Aviation technicians have discovered an incompatibility issue between Garmin GNS- 430/530 units and most Collins and Honeywell Flight Control Systems (FMS). In most cases, when GNS- 430/530 units are coupled to a Collins or Honeywell FMS, the system will remain in NAV ARM and will not capture. This problem appears to be caused by the method in which the Garmin units provide navigation information to the FMS.

Operators should be reminded that these Garmin units were designed for the light twin and turboprop market. Recently, Duncan Aviation has fielded numerous calls from operators who have installed the GNS-430/530 in older jet-powered aircraft and who are now experiencing these incompatibility problems.

Duncan Aviation recommends that only systems which are compatible with your current FMS should be installed in older jetpowered aircraft. Duncan Aviation is currently unaware of a solution for this issue, although Garmin has been informed of its existence.

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