Banyan Air Service (Booth No. N4726), based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in Florida, is advising that aircraft equipped with the Magnastar C2000 digital telephone system should replace their systems as the December 31 phase-out of service nears. Banyan said it recently completed Magnastar replacements on a Bombardier Challenger, Hawker and Cessna Citation during routine maintenance inspections.

“Having been associated with numerous flight departments over my career, neither the crew nor the maintenance personnel want the boss asking why the phone is not working,” said Brian Wilson, Banyan avionics director. “The Magnastar phone has been a stable system on board aircraft for over 25 years. But like any technology, the time has come to remove this voice system and upgrade to one that allows Internet, email and voice communication.”

Banyan said the number of qualified avionics shops and available equipment will reach capacity as the December deadline approaches. “Vendors are offering some very sweet deals that allow you to save up to $20,000. But if you wait until the end of the year, these savings will be gone,” Wilson warned–B.C.