With FBOs in Los Angeles and Seattle, Clay Lacy Aviation is expanding its avionics sales, installation and repair business and is currently engaged in two STC programs to offer future air navigation system (FANS) solutions for the Challenger 601-3A and -3R and for the Gulfstream GIV/IV-SP/V.

The work is being performed at Clay Lacy’s Van Nuys, Calif. facility and will be available through partner Universal Avionics’ authorized dealer network.

With 132 Challenger 601-3As and 59 601-3Rs still active, the Challenger market is a sizeable one. Clay Lacy’s solution incorporates key aspects of FANS 1/A+ such as controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) and ADS-C, with provisions to incorporate ADS-B OUT and Link 2000+. The solution employs a TrueNorth Simphoné TN1007 Iridium datalink.

Implementing the solution entails installing the datalink, replacement of the existing flight management system with a Universal Avionics UNS-1Fw FMS and swapping the automatic flight information service system with a UniLink UL-801 communications management unit, again from Universal. A Universal CVR-120R cockpit voice recorder is also installed, required for recording of datalink messaging. Clay Lacy is currently completing the installation in the certification platform and expects to receive its STC early next year.

Clay Lacy has also completed a similar FANS upgrade for the Gulfstream IV, IVSP and V. Final paperwork for the Gulfstream STC has been filed with the FAA, and issue of the STC is expected shortly.