Guy Norris/PHOENIX
Honeywell is working on a future flightdeck concept for next generation light business and general aviation aircraft under a codename Project Echo. The programme combines the latest developments from its Primus Epic technology with that of the Bendix/King stable from recently merged AlliedSignal.
"The biggest aircraft it would be aimed at would be the [Raytheon] Premier type," says Honeywell Aerospace Electronic Systems president and chief executive Mike Smith. "Echo is the formalisation of a programme with the systems people in Phoenix and Bendix/King in Olathe, Kansas," adds Smith, who says talks are ongoing with "several launch customers and the programme is well under way". Honeywell declines to specify a timescale, however.
Project Echo is based on the development of a basic architecture that can be scaleable "up and down" to equip cockpits and flightdecks on everything from "the smallest piston to light turbines". Projected target price per shipset will range from around $40,000 to $150,000 depending on the level of sophistication.
John Murphy, vice-president and general manager of the business and general aviation unit of Honeywell's Commercial Electronic Systems division, says Echo is part of the company's "intention to bring glass cockpits to every aircraft we serve today. We want to put terrain [enhanced ground proximity warning system] everywhere. The pace is going to be based on demand. Our intent is to put terrain on all FMS [flight management systems]," says Murphy, who foresees integrated glass cockpits on "all our platforms".
Meanwhile, Honeywell has unveiled a new Bendix/King Integrated Hazard Avoidance System (IHAS) as part of a broad- ranged safety system initiative for the general aviation, corporate and regional markets.
The IHAS 1000, designed for pistons and light turbines, will display weather, terrain, traffic, position and other flight information for general aviation pilots. It is an extension of the IHAS 5000 and 8000 family. It incorporates an enhanced version of the Bendix/King KMD 150 flat-panel multifunction display, providing situational information from the global positioning system and a moving map.
Source: Flight International
