Avidyne and Southern Star Avionics announced they are collaborating on a certification program to bring the Envision retrofit cockpit to the King Air E90. The companies are pursuing an STC that eventually will add A through E series King Airs to the approved model list. Southern Star recently acquired a King Air E90 to serve as a development platform aircraft, installing an EXP5000 PFD and EX5000 MFD interfaced with an S-Tec 65X autopilot.

The firms recently certified the Envision retrofit package with an S-Tec 55X autopilot in 400-series Cessnas, as well as an EXP5000 PFD retrofit for Cirrus models. Avidyne also announced last month it has launched an engineering effort with West Star Aviation in Grand Junction, Colo., to offer RVSM approval to buyers of its Envision and Alliant retrofit cockpits.