Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Cessna Citation 525, CitationJet, CJ1, CJ2, CJ3, CJ4, and M2 Series

Matt Thurber

Owners of the more than 200 Cessna Citation CJ2s built through 2006 will be able to have their jets’ avionics upgraded with a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-03-20/garmins-citation-cj2-avionics-upgrade-nears-approval">Garmin suite</a> at Textron Aviation service centers once Garmin receives the FAA supplemental type certificate by July.
The upgrade features two G600 TXi touchscreen displays with features specific to the CJ2, including stabilized approach monitoring and aural V-speed alerting during takeoff, as well as Garmin’s engine indication system.&nbsp;Two GTN Xi navigators enable vertical navigation (VNAV) using the GFC 600 autopilot, including coupled VNAV descents and coupled go-arounds.
Available options include Garmin’s GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar. The optional PlaneSync GDL 60 connected aircraft management system uses 4G LTE cellular or Wi-Fi for remote automatic avionics database updates and aircraft information sharing.
The first customer for the upgrade will be CJ2 owner Rod McDermott. “One of the things I appreciate is how excited Textron Aviation is to offer this upgrade and breathe new life into an amazing aircraft platform that could be flying for another 20, 30 years,” he said. “By working with Garmin, they’re giving the CJ2 a whole new utility level for single-pilot operation. And the fact that Textron Aviation is supportive of upgrades for aircraft no longer in production—that makes me really excited about working with this company.”

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Textron Aviation To Offer Citation CJ2 Garmin Avionics Upgrade

The Garmin suite replaces the CJ2's original Collins Pro Line 21 avionics

The Garmin retrofit for the Cessna Citation CJ2 offers options such as the GWX 8000 StormOptix auto radar and PlaneSync connected aircraft management system. 

Textron Aviation To Offer CJ2 Garmin Avionics Upgrade

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In this article

Cessna Citation 525/CJ Series

Textron Aviation

Garmin

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