Global Avionics Round-Up from Aircraft Value News (AVN)
The Collins Aerospace Systems’ Pro Line Fusion avionics system. (Photo: Collins Aerospace)
Cessna Citation CJ3s registered in Europe can now have the advanced capabilities of Collins Aerospace Systems’ Pro Line Fusion avionics, which was recently certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This offering has already seen wider prevalence in the U.S. with about 32 aircraft featuring the upgrade already in service.
The Pro Line Fusion by Collins Aerospace, with its cutting-edge Synthetic Vision System (SVS), is revolutionizing avionics by vastly improving situational awareness and safety, especially in challenging environments.
This product is currently being deployed in the cockpit of Bombardier’s Challenger 650 and Embraer Legacy 500 jets, providing operators with 3D terrain mapping, infrared vision, and interactive displays. Pro Line Fusion’s advanced visualization capabilities allow pilots to navigate with enhanced clarity, even in low visibility or night operations.
Synthetic Vision has emerged as a game-changer, particularly in enhancing safety for flights through mountainous or low-visibility regions. By creating 3D landscapes and overlaying them on cockpit displays, Pro Line Fusion enables pilots to visualize terrain, weather patterns, and runway layouts as if viewed in daylight. This minimizes risks associated with human error, enhancing the reliability of operations and passenger safety.
The introduction of SVS-equipped Pro Line Fusion has been shown to positively impact aircraft values and lease rates, as carriers and lessors seek reliable, high-safety aircraft. Aircraft equipped with Fusion SVS are in demand for missions that involve complex navigation, making them more attractive in both the commercial and business aviation sectors. This increased desirability enhances residual values and lease terms, particularly for operators prioritizing advanced safety and navigation capabilities.
The Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion with Synthetic Vision is widely integrated across various aircraft categories, including business jets, turboprops, and some regional airliners. Notable aircraft models featuring this advanced avionics suite include:
- Bombardier Challenger 350/650
- Embraer Legacy 450/500 and Praetor 500/600
- Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation CJ3+ and CJ4
- King Air 250 and 350 turboprops
- ATR 42-600 and 72-600 (regional turboprops)
The Pro Line Fusion’s SVS has enhanced the demand for these aircraft by offering improved situational awareness, especially in challenging weather and low-visibility environments.
The fusion of SVS with 3D terrain mapping and other intuitive displays has increased pilot confidence and safety, particularly in business jets and regional aircraft that frequently operate in remote or regional airports with less advanced ground infrastructure.
This technology has attracted operators focused on safety and advanced operational capabilities, driving a demand surge for new aircraft outfitted with these systems and increasing retrofit interest in existing models.
The Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion with SVS is providing OEMs like Embraer a significant competitive edge against larger players like Airbus and Boeing by enhancing operational flexibility, safety, and pilot confidence in smaller, highly capable jets.
The Pro Line Fusion’s SVS displays intuitive 3D terrain and landmark visuals, offering real-time environmental awareness even in poor weather. For OEMs like Embraer, this feature resonates strongly in business jets (e.g., Legacy and Praetor series), as they often serve corporate clients who value safety and operational flexibility over traditional large-aircraft offerings from Airbus and Boeing.
While Airbus and Boeing dominate the large commercial aircraft market, Pro Line Fusion’s advanced avionics have allowed Embraer to carve out a niche in the regional and business jet segments. This suite brings capabilities typically found in larger jets to smaller platforms, helping Embraer position itself as a leader in these specialized segments. The system’s ease of use and seamless integration help Embraer attract operators who seek advanced technology without the scale requirements of an Airbus or Boeing model.
This article also appears in the November 4 issue of our partner publication Aircraft Value News.
John Persinos is the editor-in-chief of Aircraft Value News. You can reach John at: [email protected]
