XLS vs XLS+
 

We are looking at upgrading to a XLS/XLS+. I would prefer the XLS+, but the savings on purchase price for the XLS is appealing. Looking for feedback on the Honeywell Primus 1000 and any other major differences that we should be aware of.
Thanks

My background:

Primus 1,000: Lear 40 & 45
Pro-line 21: Hawker 850. Currently operating Hawker.


I like both systems. Advantages of Primus 1,000: Your radio tuning boxes / RMU's provide both emergency engine data & emergency navigation whereas on the Proline 21, your ESIS/Stby Attitude indicator alone provides emergency navigation data & no engine data. Interestingly, the radio tuning screens appear identical in aircraft with both systems.

The best thing about Proline 21 is having charts. The best feature is observing your aircrafts exact position on taxi diagrams. This is really nice when operating into/out if unfamiliar airports at night or in reduced visibilities. It's also nice to see your "magenta aircraft" as it is approaching on any instrument approach.

You can observe your position, at all times, on the MFD's of both Primus & Proline. NOT having to look down & refer to iPads when taxing & conducting aporoaches is really nice with the Proline 21.

While Primus 1,000 is an older system, except for the differences mentioned above, they are similar to use. Primus 1,000 aircraft generally utilize a Universal FMS platform whereas Proline 21 is Rockwell-Collins. The Universal logic is easy to work with. Collins utilizes similar logic but some reverse logic as well. In particular, when imputing a crossing restriction with Collins, say to cross 85 miles east of LAX at FL 240, it would look like this: LAX/-85 Execute
LAX001 24,000 Execute
Active: LAX001 FL240
Proline "self-names" imputed added fixes if you don't: LAX001...


Our management company picked up a pristine XLS with Primus 1,000 some 5 months ago. Former Netjets Europe XLS. Yeah, the screens are a tad smaller, you have 3 screens, not 4, and also a steam gauge peanut standby gyro instead of a cool digital one.

Although Proline 21 is really nice to have, I don't think the substantial added expense justifies it. The passengers are not going to be getting anywhere any sooner or with any less comfort.

Just my 2 cents.

I fly a Citation equipped with the Primus 1000, if the aircraft is not on a parts or avionics program just know when, not if, a screen goes out its 56K to get an exchange. Its definitely an outdated system, but it does everything you need to get in and out of any airport.

PRIMUS 1,000 is not ADS-B compliant whereas it already is for PROLINE. The deadline is 2020.

The XLS will have the option of a G5000
Retrofit if you are going to keep it a while.
CPDLC, RNP, Garmin a/p that has a working FLC mode.
Save 200lbs and a forward thinking company.
I do like the nose on the XLS+ better.
Dave