New Avionics Add Safety And Security

Piper Aircraft on May 18 announced the FAA type certification of its M600/SLS single-engine turboprop featuring Garmin International’s new Autoland system, the first approval for the breakthrough safety system that allows landing with the push of a button. “This is the first aircraft to be certified with one of the most significant advancements in general-aviation history,” said Simon Caldecott, Piper Aircraft president and CEO. Autoland functions with the Garmin G3000 flightdeck, a touchscreen-controlled avionics suite with 14.1-in., diagonal high-resolution displays.

Cirrus Aircraft and Garmin International in August won FAA approval of Garmin’s Autoland in the Cirrus Vision Jet, where it is called Safe Return. Now, with Safe Return and the Collier Award-winning Cirrus Airframe Parachute System, the Vision Jet provides the most comprehensive, total safety solution in general aviation, the company says. More than 200 Vision Jets have been delivered. Once activated by the touch of a button, Safe Return assumes control of the aircraft and transforms the Vision Jet into an autonomous vehicle that navigates to the nearest suitable airport for landing, communicates with air traffic control, lands and brings the aircraft safely to a complete stop, allowing passengers to exit.

Daher’s TBM “Very Fast Turboprop” latest Model 940 is now available with Garmin’s Autoland system, dubbed HomeSafe. The emergency Autoland system automatically brings the airplane to a runway touchdown should the pilot become incapacitated. It is activated manually by pressing an orange button atop the instrument panel. Its software integrates weather, traffic and terrain information to select the best airport for an emergency landing, takes the aircraft there and lands it automatically. Daher now has delivered more than 1,000 TBM turboprop aircraft.

Bombardier has delivered the first Global 7500 long-range business jet with a dual head-up display (HUD) to provide additional safety and redundancy in the cockpit. The HUD is equipped with enhanced and synthetic-vision systems for situational awareness. The second HUD builds on those advantages with benefits that include increased contributions from the co-pilot during HUD-assisted operations, easier switching between pilot-flying and pilot-monitoring and redundancy during low-visibility approaches.

Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) has received FAA certification for a synthetic-vision installation and autothrottle upgrade for the Eclipse Jet, marking IS&S’ first upgrade directly for Eclipse owners. IS&S, based in Exton, Pennsylvania, has received “substantial” preorders for the upgrades, which are available for aircraft with software Versions 2.7.8 and 2.7.10. “IS&S is excited to support the Eclipse owners and operators with this upgrade and greatly appreciates their continued enthusiasm and input,” said the company’s director of autothrottle programs, Tom Grunbeck.

Embraer has won the first FAA and Brazilian approvals for the Synthetic Vision Guidance System (SVGS) for the midsize Praetor 500 and super-midsize Praetor 600 business jets. SVGS, developed with Collins, provides pilots with a dynamic perception of position, trend and motion, facilitating the transition to utilizing visual references during inclement weather and lower ceiling approaches. The system allows pilots to operate the aircraft to a decision height of 150 ft. (SA-CAT I), as opposed to the regular decision height of 200 ft. The SVGS can be used with or without the head-up display.

Satcom Direct (SD), which provides connectivity for business and general aviation, has completed what it says are significant improvements to its Network Operations Center (NOC) at its headquarters in Melbourne, Florida. The upgraded facility is larger, with an additional 72 X 10-ft. digital wall displaying real-time global customer connectivity activity. The data collected from the SD Xperience portfolio of software, hardware and infrastructure ensures the network center is aware of the status and health of each of its customer’s aircraft. This data identifies connectivity outages, degradation or issues, and initiates corrective action, often during the flight. It then triggers alerts and remedial action ahead of potential issues, SD says.

The first civil certification of a wearable head-up display (HUD) and the first EFVS-to-land system was awarded in March by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to Universal Avionics for its ClearVision Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) with SkyLens Head-Wearable Display (HWD). “Certification of our EFVS with SkyLens is a breakthrough in commercial aviation,” said Universal Avionics CEO Dror Yahav. “This marks the first civil certification of a HWD and the first EFVS to land solution for line-fit passenger aircraft.” Universal says the SkyLens high-transparency visor is a cost-effective alternative to a traditional fixed HUD.

Satcom Direct has installed and activated its FlightDeck Freedom datalink service on its 2,000th aircraft. That customer was a head-of-state client wanting to integrate third-party flight-planning services, evolving compliance support, and the ability to streamline flight crew and ground operations workflow. The service, launched in 2007, supports flightdeck and cabin communications, allowing crew to monitor connectivity and troubleshoot issues in real time.

Universal Avionics has introduced its new five-model KAPTURE line of Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorders (CVR/FDR). The company’s sixth generation of recorders has received FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) Authorization and meets all of the latest certifications and requirements, including ED-112A compliance, allowing operators to fly around the world. KAPTURE factors in weight, ease of installation and data download requirements, notes Universal Avionics CEO Dror Yahav.