Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Cessna 208 Caravan and 208B Grand Caravan

Gregory Polek

Butler National subsidiary Avcon Industries has obtained an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) for a dual camera port installation and its "Special Mission Pod" modification on the Cessna Caravan and Grand Caravan. The design allows for simultaneous modifications to provide about 80 cubic feet of additional space in the fuselage-mounted pod, which can accommodate sensors, cameras, and radars with a full 360-degree swept volume. The Avcon dual camera ports work with the lower fuselage pod and allow the installation of cabin-mounted Lidar/camera sensors.
The Special Mission Pod optimizes sensor operational capabilities for the turboprop singles, noted Butler National president and CEO Chris Reedy. "Similarly, the combination of a Special Mission Pod with the&nbsp;Avcon Caravan camera ports expands the functionality of the aircraft to other applications.”
List prices for the standard Avcon Special Mission Pod for the Model 208 and 208B start at $225,000. The Avcon dual camera port modification costs $248,000.
"Avcon continues to look for opportunities to grow the utility of airplanes,” said Avcon sales director Aric Peters. “While&nbsp;Avcon offers many special mission modifications for King Air airplanes…now Avcon has extended its available platforms to include the Model 208/208B Caravan family. The&nbsp;Avcon modifications are designed for generic functionality, to include installation, retraction, and extension of lights, and cameras, and are compatible with a wide range of radar bands, including X/P/L-bands.”

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Avcon Wins STC for Caravan Camera Port Installation and Special Mission Pod 

Mod provides about 80 cubic feet of additional space in the fuselage-mounted pod

Avcon Industries has obtained FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for its dual camera port installation and "Special Mission Pod." 

Avcon Wins STC for Caravan Camera Port Installation

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Panel participants included Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, and West Star Aviation

Summit Highlights St. Louis Aero MRO and Manufacturing

Kerry Lynch

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

What began 22 years ago as a Caravan project is now a busy multimillion-dollar business

Building Interiors at Yingling Aviation

MRO services for E1000 turboprops available at company’s Denver location

Stevens Aerospace Joins Epic Aircraft Service Network

Executives share their experience with system

Duncan Adds Gogo 5G to Company Citation Excel

Charles Alcock

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

In this article

Cessna 208 Caravan and 208B Grand Caravan

Butler Aerospace and Defense

Textron Aviation

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Summit Highlights St. Louis Aero MRO and Manufacturing

Panel participants included Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, and West Star Aviation

Building Interiors at Yingling Aviation

What began 22 years ago as a Caravan project is now a busy multimillion-dollar business

Stevens Aerospace Joins Epic Aircraft Service Network

MRO services for E1000 turboprops available at company’s Denver location

Duncan Adds Gogo 5G to Company Citation Excel

Executives share their experience with system

Australian Regulator Approves Textron Service Centers

Textron operates service centers in Melbourne, Perth, and Gold Coast

C&L Aerospace Tapped for Challenger Flutter Damper Mx

The company was selected by OEM Héroux-Devtek

Avcon Delivers Aerial Weapon in Florida Mosquito Fight

The Kansas-based company specializes in modifying airframes

Duncan Aviation Authorized for Honeywell APU Repairs

MRO’s Lincoln facility expects to bring work online in early 2027

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