News Category: News

(Groton, CT – March 29, 2021) With over 80 years of combined experience, the highly skilled avionics team at Columbia Air Services has been servicing the aviation community since 1987.  Columbia’s reputation for exacting standards and outstanding quality in servicing its customers, including custom-designed and handcrafted instrument panels, is widespread, as evidenced by the many customers who travel from across the country to have work done here.  The following, for example, is a multi-phased TBM700B installation project performed for an owner from Texas, who travels to our Groton, Connecticut facility for all his aviation maintenance and avionics work.  As you will see, this owner is avid not only about Columbia and cutting edge avionics upgrades, but also about Garmin products.

This 3-year project evolved across three separate installs, each performed during an annual inspection.  Initially, the 2001 700B model arrived with factory-installed EFIS40 and Garmin GNS radios (see Figure 1).

The first install consisted of removing that equipment and installing dual Legacy G600 systems with GTN series radios (see Figure 2).  The second install, one year later, involved removing the Legacy G600 systems and upgrading to new G600 TXi systems with EIS, as well as upgrading the GTN radios to new GTNXi radios.  In addition, the Honeywell KFC325 autopilot was removed and replaced with Garmin’s GFC600 autopilot system.  Finally, the third install involved removing the fuel quantity and fuel pressure indicators and including those functions into the Garmin EIS system.  Figure 3 illustrates the final panel.  

In short, this 3-year process effectively replaced all factory installed avionics with new Garmin products.  Chris Bergman, Columbia’s Avionics Manager, said, “It was exciting to work on such an extensive installation project that effectively rendered the TBM the most state-of-the-art operating today.” As an authorized service center for most major brands of avionics equipment, Columbia has an especially strong relationship with Garmin, according to Chris.  “They have visited our facility and know the high quality of our work.” We are confident our customer from Texas, along with countless other aircraft owners over the past 35 years, would agree.

(Groton, CT – April 30, 2021)  Columbia wishes a fond farewell this week to Jim Celentano, Director of Maintenance, who has overseen the Columbia maintenance department for the past 40 years.  One of Columbia’s earliest employees, Jim was integral in building a fledgling maintenance department into what is considered one of the finest PT6 aviation shops in the country.  Known as much for his remarkable technical aptitude as for his passion and dedication to fair, exceptional customer service and customer relations, Jim has built a widespread reputation as a premier expert in the field.

However, Jim’s foresight and care for his department is most evident in the excellent team of hand-picked technicians he and Adam Stino, Assistant Director of Maintenance, have developed. Intent on ensuring the high standards of service remain first-rate, Jim has partnered with and mentored Adam for several years to serve as his replacement.  A 20-year veteran technician at Columbia, Adam’s skill, dedication and reputation in our shop and among our customers are also particularly impressive, and his move into this largely administrative role will be the smoothest of transitions.

Columbia is indebted to Jim for his pivotal role in developing our maintenance shop’s reputation for excellence.  While we will miss Jim, we are confident that reputation and success will continue in the able hands of Adam.  We are proud to claim both these professionals as part of the Columbia team.

(GROTON, CT – July 19, 2021)  For most of us in the general aviation sector, EAA Oshkosh is the kickoff event to the show season. It is an exciting preview of what is to come and a chance to come together as aviators and enthusiasts to celebrate all things aviation.  Billed as the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” it feels a lot like a welcome reception for our industry and that sentiment could not be more fitting this year.  Following closely on the heels of Sun ‘n Fun, Oshkosh’s first physical show since 2019 kicks off July 26^th and runs through August 1^st.

A couple of important elements to note:  this year’s Airventure will play host to an impressive collection of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy military aircraft.  Also, due in part to the generosity of The Boeing Company, admission is free for all youth ages 18 and under for the duration of this year’s event.

Safe travels to the show! You can find us at the Daher booth with the TBM 940 and Kodiak 100 on display. Stop in and visit with us and these remarkable aircraft.  Get your tickets here: https://www.eaa.org/airventure

Can’t make Oshkosh?  You can still meet us and experience the Daher TBM 940 at the following shows and venues this year…

—  August 21^st KGON Columbia Aircraft Sales, Inc., Fly-in Event

—  August 27^th AOPA Aviator Showcase, Manassas, VA

—  October 1-2^nd Elite NY Show, Essex Country Airport, NJ

—  October 9^th KRUT Columbia Aircraft Sales, Inc., Fly-in Event

More popup events and fly-ins being scheduled all the time. Follow us on social media to keep updated!

Wishing you blue skies and calm winds wherever you fly!  See you Soon!