Viking Air Limited has selected Cascade Aerospace as an integrator of its Avionics Upgrade Program (AUP) for CL-215T and CL-415 aerial firefighters.

Under the agreement, Cascade will design, install, test, and certify the AUP on a CL-415 and CL-215T and complete 10 post-STC installations at its facilities. Cascade additionally will produce 40 “A-Kits,” including structural components, wiring harnesses, and other components that will link the new flight controls, navigation, and communications systems that Collins Aerospace is supplying for the upgrade. Cascade will develop the production process to marry the A-Kits with the Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite. This includes drawings, task cards, and kitting activities.

The agreement builds on a longstanding working relationship between Viking and Cascade, including upgrades of the CL-215s to turbine configuration. “Cascade was a natural choice to welcoming as a key contributor to the Viking AUP,” said Dan Seroussi, director of the program for Viking (Chalet 238, Static B4). “Their specialization in aircraft, particularly with avionics upgrades, and their experience with Canadair aerial firefighters gave them a clear advantage,” he added.

The AUP is designed to provide a modern, commercial-off-the-shelf option for operators to upgrade the CL-215T or CL-415. Operators can select either a complete modification, including installation, or just the kit for installation by an approved maintenance repair organization.

AUP will replace the older avionics with digital avionics that will have SBAS-GPS and LPV capability. Other features including TAWS, ADS-B Out, synthetic vision, crew alerting system display indicators, and a multi-functional keyboard panel with dual cursor controls that provide an alternative to the touchscreen commands.