A NEW, INTEGRATED avionics system designed for business-aviation and regional-airline operators has been introduced by Rockwell-Collins Commercial Avionics.
Collins claims that the system is the first developed entirely around advanced technologies, including liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) and Collins' AVSAT satellite-based communication and navigation system.
The product uses multiple attitude/heading sources, ranging from fibre-optic gyros to inertial-reference systems and includes LCD electronic flight displays, radio-tuning units and standby indicators.
The system is designed for applications ranging from small turbine to large business- and regional-jet aircraft, and is "optimised for the evolving air-traffic-management environment," says Terry Wilson, director of sales and marketing at Collins General Aviation division.
Collins says that, in addition to requiring less space in the cockpit than equivalent cathode-ray-tube displays, LCDs consume less power, resulting in cooler operation and increased reliability. Viewing-angle limitations have been overcome by new technology developed jointly by Collins Commercial Avionics and Rockwell's Science Center.
Source: Flight International
