Textron Aviation has received certification for the Change 7.1 software upgrade on TCAS II (traffic alert and collision avoidance systems) installed in early model Cessna Citations. The upgrade is already required for later-model aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds or with seating for 19 passengers operating in European airspace. Those with airworthiness certificates issued before March 1, 2012 must be upgraded by Dec. 1, 2015, and the upgrade can be installed at Textron Aviation factory-owned service centers. Models affected include the CJ2, Citation II/SP, Citation SII, Bravo, V Ultra, Encore, Encore+, Excel, XLS, Citation III, Citation VI, Citation VII, Sovereign and Citation X. There is currently no mandate for the TCAS II 7.1 upgrade in the U.S.

According to Textron, “The 7.1 upgrade provides greater clarity and real-time changes to the [TCAS II resolution advisories].” TCAS II requirements for other countries generally follow ICAO Annex 10, which requires the 7.1 upgrade on new aircraft after Jan 1, 2014, and on existing aircraft after Jan. 1, 2017, the company added.