Story ID: 
Pentastar Receives Honeywell LCD Display STC
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: The upgrade addresses the need to replace aging CRT screens found in the cockpits of several venerable business jet models
Word Count: 204
Honeywell-authorized dealer Pentastar Aviation has received an Approved Model List (AML) STC for certification of the Honeywell DU-875 flight deck display upgrade on the Global Express. The unit is a form-fit, plug-and-play LCD upgrade to replace the nearly obsolete CRT DU-870 found on older aircraft, for which Honeywell has said it plans to discontinue customer support and repair. For a limited time, the manufacturer is offering a trade-in incentive of $40,000 per display.

Michigan-based Pentastar’s AML STC requires no cockpit or wiring changes, or even any additional pilot training. “The DU-875 is a low-risk upgrade allowing for minimal aircraft downtime, [and] has higher display reliability and resolves obsolescence issues,” noted Jesse Beard, Pentastar’s avionics and engineering manager. “There is also reduced cost of ownership and a growing path to future technologies.” The LCD units, which are significantly lighter than the former CRT displays, can be replaced individually or as a suite, paving the way for advanced features through additional software and hardware upgrades.

The STC will be expanded later this year to include other aircraft equipped with the DU-870, including the Cessna Citation X, Bravo (550) and Ultra/Encore/Excel (560), as well as the Dassault Falcon 900C/EX.