Goodrich has secured an unidentified launch customer for its SmartDeck integrated flight display and control system for general-aviation aircraft.
The company declines to identify the application, but indicates it is a new aircraft due to receive USFAR 23 certification in the first half of 2003. FAR 23 applies to single- and twin-engine aircraft under 5,670kg (12,500lb) maximum gross weight - the target market for the SmartDeck.
Unveiled last year, SmartDeck comprises large-format liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), an embedded sensor package and a data concentrator to interface with other aircraft, says system programme manager GaryWatson.
SmartDeck builds on Good-rich's experience with standby flight displays and uses the same solid-state air-data and attitude/ heading-reference sensor technology. The system will interface with the company's Stormscope lightning sensor, Skywatch collision-avoidance and LandMark terrain-awareness products.
"The aim was to bring together our technology and expand it into a full system for small aircraft," says Watson. "Our three goals are to make it easier to fly; easier to learn to fly, to expand the market; and to improve safety, particularly for less-experienced pilots."
The baseline system includes primary flight and multifunction displays for the pilot, both using a 265mm (10.4in)-diagonal LCD. The initial application will mainly use conventional flight symbols, but Goodrich is already flight-testing advanced three-dimensional "highway-in-the-sky" graphics.
Source: Flight International
