Two as yet unnamed light aircraft manufacturers, one in the USA and one in Europe, plan to incorporate New York-based Xerion Avionix's new solid-state engine management system into one new and one existing aircraft line next year, according to the avionics company.
Xerion last week received US Federal Aviation Administration supplemental type certification approval for its AuRACLE II digital engine management system in a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza.
Eric Hathaway, vice-president of marketing and sales for the company, says the two airframers are waiting for the "approved model" list on the STC to be expanded, a process that will begin in late September with the addition of other Bonanza models, followed later by other original equipment manufacturers.
AuRACLE II operates on both four- and six-cylinder general aviation engines, using a networked architecture featuring a remotely mounted engine interface unit on the engine side of the firewall connected via a single bulkhead connector with a 5in (125mm), high-definition, sunlight-readable display unit in the panel.
The system, starting at $6,000 for a four-cylinder engine, replaces traditional "steam gauge" engine instrumentation. A lower-cost version, called the AuRACLE I, will also be available starting at $5,300 once the approved model list is amended. The AuRACLE I has engine interface unit built into the display unit, meaning more wires connecting the display to the engine sensors. Along with traditional engine and electrical system information, the system also includes a fuel computer that "gives general aviation pilots an entirely new level of power management", says the company.
Hathaway says key differentiators between the Xerion's system and competitors' products, such as the JP Instruments EDM-930, include a method of displaying tachometer, manifold pressure and fuel flow in a single graphic on the left side of the screen. The system also offers a redundant back-up notification method that does not rely on software or the display screen.
Xerion has deposits for more than 125 systems on order, not including the potential OEM orders. Hathaway says the orders are split 50/50 between AuRACLE I and AuRACLE II systems.
Source: Flight International
