Trimble Navigation launched the TrimConnect 3100 flight-telephone system for corporate aircraft at the US National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) convention in Orlando, Florida, in late November. The system is the first product for which AirCell's US telecommunications network is used, which employs cellular-telephone technology.
Trimble says that the TrimConnect system, consisting of a radio, headset and antenna and weighing under 4.5kg, will be available late this month. Cirrus Design plans to offer the system as an option on its SR20 light aircraft, which features new Trimble TimLine avionics. AirCell, meanwhile, has begun installing its US network of ground cells.
Also at NBAA, Trimble and Honeywell announced plans to offer their HT9000 global-positioning-system navigator for retrofit into light- to medium-size business jets and regional airliners, to provide a transition to the future air-navigation system.
Honeywell, meanwhile, introduced a new line of weather radars at NBAA. The Primus 660 and 880 provide 10kW of power and are smaller and lighter than the Primus 650 and 870 systems they replace. The Primus 440 is a new 10kW radar for light business aircraft. Honeywell also introduced the TCAS 2000 traffic-alert and collision-avoidance system, which is smaller and lighter than current TCASII units and has growth to support operations in the future air-traffic environment.
Rockwell-Collins introduced a new large-format liquid-crystal display to upgrade its Pro Line 4 integrated avionics, using technology from the new Pro Line 21 system. The 185mm flat-panel display will enter production within two years, Collins says, replacing cathode-ray-tube displays. The company also introduced a "drop-in" flat-panel replacement for traditional 130mm (or 5ATI) electromechanical flight instruments.
Source: Flight International
