Avcon secures FAA certification for Cessna Caravan camera port installations

Butler National subsidiary Avcon Industries has received a supplemental type certificate (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its dual camera port installation and "Special Mission Pod" modification on the Cessna Caravan and Grand Caravan. This design enables modifications that provide approximately 80 cubic feet of additional space in a fuselage-mounted pod, capable of accommodating sensors, cameras, and radars with a full 360-degree swept volume. The dual camera ports work with the lower fuselage pod and allow for the installation of cabin-mounted Lidar/camera sensors.

Chris Reedy, president and CEO of Butler National, stated, "The Special Mission Pod optimizes sensor operational capabilities for the turboprop singles." He added that "the combination of a Special Mission Pod with the Avcon Caravan camera ports expands the functionality of the aircraft to other applications."

The standard Avcon Special Mission Pod for models 208 and 208B is priced at $225,000, while the dual camera port modification costs $248,000.