Avionics advances were many in an otherwise subdued NBAA show in Orlando last week as the industry prepares for at least one more year of depressed production.
In addition to Garmin launching its most advanced integrated flightdeck to date, Honeywell and other key avionics providers introduced new products or upgrades to boost safety and operational efficiency in advance of the upturn expected in the 2011 timeframe.
Garmin revealed that two airframers have selected the company's new G3000 touchscreen-controlled integrated avionics suite for their new Part 23 jet programmes - Piper for the PiperJet and one other manufacturer that has not yet been revealed.
Based on Garmin's successful G1000 system, the G3000 takes the next step in simplifying cockpit operations with its two 5.7in (14.5cm) GTC 570 control panels, which use infrared sensitive touchscreen technology rather than traditional capacitance-based technology to control radios, audio, flight management, weather and other vehicle systems displayed on three interchangeable 14.1in GDU 1400 displays across the panel.
With the patented infrared technology and a combination of aural, graphical and animation feedback, the Garmin system can now interpret what a pilot meant to do with his or her finger, helping to assure the correct information gets input despite turbulence, says Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice-president of marketing.
"Rapid access is a keynote of this system," says Kelley. "Garmin has delivered 45-50 million automobile GPS systems. That has helped us a lot in developing touchscreen systems." The company expects to receive technical standard order (TSO) approval for the cockpit in the second half of 2011.
Honeywell also revealed a new integrated avionics suite, Primus Elite, as the choice for Embraer's new Legacy 650, a longer-range version of the Legacy 600 with new cockpit, better performing engines and cabin upgrades.
The Elite is a rebranding of the company's DU-875/885 display upgrade program, will also be available for the Legacy 600.
The new flightdeck will inhabit the same real estate in the panel, but displays will be LCD-based rather than the cathode ray variety of the original Primus 1000 avionics suite.
Along with coupled vertical navigation (VNAV), the Elite will offer required navigation performance (RNP) 0.3 and electronic charts and maps via two CMC class 2 electronic flight bags mounted on the side panels.
Optional features include controller-pilot datalink, WAAS/LPV approach capabilities, XM weather for US operators and Honeywell's SmartRunway and SmartLanding safety advisory systems. The company's SmartView synthetic vision system will not be available initially, nor will enhanced vision or head-up display capability.
For the retrofit market, StandardAero is readying an Elite upgrade for the Falcon 900C and Falcon 900EX that will cost less than $1 million installed and be available in the third quarter next year. Rockwell Collins is also focusing on existing Dassault products, announcing a new Pro Line 4 to Pro Line 21 upgrade package for the Falcon 2000.
Included are larger displays, graphical weather, electronic charting and WAAS-GPS localiser performance with vertical guidance (LPV) approach capability by mid-2010.
For forward-fit high-end aircraft, Honeywell has also advanced the state of the art with another PlaneView upgrade for Gulfstream that features second generation synthetic vision system (SVS), RNP to 0.1nm, XM weather and paperless charts, and a new EASy II avionics suite for Dassault Falcon 9000, Falcon 2000 and Falcon 7X business jets that will include SVS, a first for Dassault.
New to the synthetic vision arena is Innovative Solutions and Support, which says it will soon offer the feature as an upgrade for its Vantage cockpit programme. Based on a Jeppesen terrain and obstacle database modified by IS&S, the SVS is likely to see first use as part of a Falcon 2000 and Falcon 2000EX upgrade programme (not including EASy-equipped aircraft) the company has been selected to complete.
The initial upgrade, announced here at NBAA, will include four 10.4in flat panel displays with options for moving maps, XM weather and electronic charts with the inclusion of Class 3 electronic flight bags for flightdecks not equipped with Dassault's Honeywell-based EASy avionics.
Cessna recently gained supplemental type certificate approval for a similar, but more comprehensive IS&S Vantage-based cockpit upgrade for its legacy Citation 500, 550, S550 and 560-series aircraft. Priced at about $300,000 installed, the system includes options for two or three 10.4in displays that supply electronic charts, electronic checklists, enhanced vision, WAAS GPS, XM weather and cabin video.
Source: Flight International
