By the third quarter, Elliott Aviation expects to receive FAA STC approval for a lower-cost ADS-B upgrade for the Cessna Citation Excel/XLS. The STC incorporates the Garmin GTX-3000 ADS-B transponder, which integrates with the existing Honeywell Primus II avionics in the Excel/XLS. No avionics modifications are required for this ADS-B upgrade, which is similar to Elliott Aviation’s STC for Primus II-equipped Hawkers, Premier I/IAs and Beechjet 400A/400XPs. Other jets with Primus II avionics that can use this ADS-B solution include the Citation III/VI/VII, V/Ultra/Encore and Citation II. There are more than 2,000 business jets that could qualify for this ADS-B upgrade, according to the company.

The GTX-3000 also offers ADS-B IN, so free FAA traffic and weather information can be displayed on mobile devices via Bluetooth. Buyers of this ADS-B package can later replace their Primus II avionics with a Garmin G5000 touchscreen-controlled flight deck, but it won’t be necessary to replace the GTX-3000, so that will help lower the price of the G5000 upgrade. According to Elliott Aviation, the GTX 3000 ADS-B upgrade should take about eight days to install.