As avionics technology forges ahead there is a growing need to make new systems available and affordable to the general aviation (GA) community. BFGoodrich has contributed to that process with the development of the Skywatch traffic advisory system.
The low-cost system displays traffic information and conflict advisories, indicating where to look for nearby aircraft equipped with transponders that may pose a collision threat. The system does so at a price affordable to GA and helicopter pilots.
Based around a standard Mode C transponder, the unit acts as an active surveillance system, interrogating other aircraft or ground stations.
The system, which was introduced in May 1997, will track up to 30 aircraft and display the eight most threatening, with information about their position and heading. Audible traffic alerts come through the pilot's headset and visual targets are displayed using TCAS-like symbology. To save panel space, the display can be shared with BFGoodrich's WX-1000 Stormscope weather mapping system.
Skywatch was first installed on a Beech Bonanza, but has since gone on to a range of GA aircraft from piston-singles through to corporate jets. BFGoodrich says that it is already planning further enhancements, including an ADS-B capability which will be increasingly useful as the world heads towards more open skies.
Source: Flight International
