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April 28, 2015

True Blue Power® to secure STC for lithium-ion main ship battery on Cessna 208 and 208B Caravans

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — True Blue Power, a division of Mid-Continent Instrument Co., Inc., today announced it filed documentation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to secure a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its TB44 (46 amp hour) Advanced Lithium-ion Battery on all Cessna 208 and 208B Caravan aircraft, with anticipated completion in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The TB44 is a replacement for the sealed lead-acid and nickel cadmium (NiCad) main ship batteries currently used on Caravans. In addition to significant weight savings, the TB44 provides many benefits to Caravan owners and operators:

  • More power — 3x as much energy per kilogram
  • 40% less weight — improved fuel savings, useful payload, and range
  • 2-year maintenance intervals — 50 to 90% less scheduled maintenance cost
  • Faster recharge immediately after engine starts — capable of 6 engine starts in 7 minutes
  • Higher voltage during engine starts — less wear, less maintenance, and extended useful life
  • 6 – 10 years useful life
  • Superior performance at high and low temperatures (up to 70°C/158°F, down to -40°C/-40°F)
  • Eco-friendly Nanophosphate® Lithium-ion cell chemistry

True Blue Power is the first company to achieve FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) European Technical Standard Order (ETSO) certification for lithium-ion main ship batteries. The TB44 is TSO C179a and EASA ETSO certified, RTCA DO-311 and DO-160G qualified.

The TB44 Advanced Lithium-ion Battery will be on display at the True Blue Power and Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics booth throughout the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association Conference (RACCA), April 28 – 30 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.

For more information about True Blue Power and the company’s family of advanced lithium-ion batteries, contact Rick Slater, True Blue Power Division Manager, at 316-630-0101 or visit truebluepowerusa.com.

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