An Apex for Spectrum’s Freedom

By Chad Trautvetter

May 15, 2008
Aircraft, Avionics

Carlsbad, Calif.-based Spectrum Aeronautical yesterday announced that it selected the Honeywell Primus Apex integrated avionics suite for the all-composite S-40 Freedom midsize business jet it is developing. Company president Austin Blue told AIN that the avionics system was chosen for the S-40 because it is a reliable and mature product that offers “best in class” functionality, in addition to Honeywell’s established international support capacity.

Blue also said this decision won’t have any impact on Spectrum’s plans to install the next-generation Avidyne Entegra system in the smaller S-33 Independence. The Primus Apex configuration in the Freedom will feature two 15-inch primary flight displays, two 10.4-inch multifunction displays and a keypad and cursor control device for data entry.

Meanwhile, Spectrum is in the process of building an iron bird and is in the late stages of the detailed design phase for the S-40. It plans to start construction soon of a “production representative” copy of the Freedom, with first flight slated for late this or early next year.

Certification of the $6.795 million (2008 $) jet is planned for late next year. The $3.945 million S-33 Independence light jet will follow about a year behind the Freedom.

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