Astronics Delivers 600th Max-Viz Enhanced Vision System to Cirrus

EAST AURORA, N.Y., Oct. 8, 2012 — Astronics Corp. has delivered the 600^th Max-Viz enhanced vision system for installation on Cirrus SR22 airplanes. Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO) is a leader in providing advanced technologies for the global aerospace and defense industries.

600th delivered to Cirrus 10-08-12

Cirrus Aircraft offers the Astronics Max-Viz model 600 real-time situational awareness system as an option on new SR22 aircraft, and the infrared system is also available for aftermarket aircraft installations.

“The Cirrus-integrated Max-Viz 600 system is currently being chosen by more than 60 percent of new Cirrus SR22 owners as an option, which is a reflection of its effectiveness for single-engine operations,” said Astronics President and CEO Peter J. Gundermann. “The Max-Viz 600 integrates seamlessly with the Garmin multifunction display using visible and infrared light to show terrain, landmarks, cloud buildups and ground objects such as parked aircraft, animals or people.”

Todd Simmons, Cirrus Aircraft Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, said, “We are always working to make the best tools available to our Cirrus owners and operators for increased safety. The Astronics Max-Viz enhanced vision system integrates seamlessly on SR22 models equipped with the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin integrated flight deck.”

Based on infrared technology pioneered in the military and law enforcement, Astronics Max-Viz sensors allow pilots to see farther through low-visibility conditions like mist, rain and the dark of night, giving pilots a real-time, unobstructed and realistic view of the terrain ahead. For pilots flying precision and non-precision approaches into challenging airports, or identifying clouds while flying VFR at night, Astronics enhanced vision advances pilot situational awareness to levels never before realized in a single-engine piston aircraft.

The Astronics Max-Viz 600 improves safety of flight and situational awareness by helping penetrate haze, light fog, smoke and precipitation eight to 10 times farther than the unaided human eye can see during day or night. It requires no programming or interpretation and permits pilots to clearly see unlit obstacles during taxi, takeoff and landing. In flight, pilots use the system to avoid clouds, fly between layers and observe detailed surface features, such as ground-based obstacles and mountain terrain.