Mid-Continent Instruments introduces the “Mini Gyro”

WICHITA, Kan. — With the panel space of today’s general aviation aircraft at a premium, Mid-Continent Instruments is launching its new Mini Gyro - 4200 series electric attitude indicator - featuring a 2-inch attitude gyro small enough to be placed just about anywhere in your instrument panel.

“The proven technology of our Lifesaver® gyro speaks volumes about the 4200 series due to the similarities in design,” said Todd Winter, president of Mid-Continent Instruments.  “You can trust it is a reliable product that is well supported.”

The 2-inch Mini Gyro is comparable in many ways to the innovative Lifesaver® gyro, the industry’s first emergency attitude reference gyro with a built-in backup battery.  The Mini Gyro offers the same pedigree without the battery option.  Both may be used as a primary or standby artificial horizon in fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, but the 2-inch attitude gyro’s size and average lifespan of 2,500 hours make it an ideal backup unit. 

The Mini Gyro not only saves on panel space, but also saves you money and time.  The Mini Gyro costs about half the price of similar 2-inch products and installation is simple.

Introduction of the 4200 series comes in the wake of an FAA-issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB), which specifically recommends that owners and operators of single-engine piston aircraft should equip their aircraft with a backup electrical attitude indicator.

“This is a product every pilot knows he should have, but hasn’t wanted to pay the high price demanded by products available in the past,” said Winter.  “The Mini Gyro is an affordable, economical solution to a need that has been there for years.”

  Mid-Continent will unveil the product at the 2005 AEA Convention in Dallas, Texas.  Deliveries of the 2-inch Electric Attitude Indicator will be available in late 2005, and units will be available for purchase through any avionics shop. To locate an avionics dealer in your area, visit www.aea.net.

Mid-Continent Instruments manufactures aircraft instruments for the general aviation industry.  Services at the Wichita, Kansas facility also include developing and manufacturing new avionics products.  Mid-Continent Instruments West in Van Nuys, California provides new instrument sales and is the top-rated instrument overhaul shop on the west coast.  Together the locations employ more than 150 people and offer the largest general aviation instrument overhaul/exchange program in the world.  Specialties include gyro, altimeter, HSI and autopilot system overhauls.  Mid-Continent instruments are found in all new Cessna airplanes and in Raytheon’s Beech line of Bonanzas, Barons, King Airs and 1900 Airliners.  Instruments are sold to other manufacturers such as GARMIN International, Honeywell, Cirrus, Lancair, Piper Aircraft Inc., Diamond and Robinson Helicopter Co.