Avionics Installations And Modifications Create New Work For MROs
Bill Carey
Flight Deck Refresh
GarminGarmin obtained supplemental type certificate approval of the G5000 flight deck upgrade of Cessna Citation Excel/XLS midsize jets in 2019. Just over two years into the program, the avionics manufacturer says it has equipped 10% of the in-service fleet. The retrofit, which replaces the original Honeywell Primus 1000 suite, costs about $500,000-550,000 and saves an estimated 200 lb. in weight. In October, Duncan Aviation said its St. Paul, Minnesota, facility had installed its third—and the company’s fifth—G5000 upgrade.
Enhanced Vision System
Universal AvionicsElbit Systems’ company Universal Avionics plans to enter formal certification flight testing of its ClearVision Enhanced Flight Vision System on a Boeing 737NG. The supplemental type certification installation includes dual SkyLens head-wearable displays—a first on a large transport category aircraft—and a single EVS-5000 multispectral camera. AerSale provided the prototype aircraft and led the engineering, design, modification, installation and now flight tests.
5G Interference Hardened
FreeFlight SystemsFreeFlight Systems expects to begin shipping its new RA-5500/6500 Terrain Series radar altimeters, designed to mitigate interference from 5G wireless networks, in 2022. The Terrain series has a compatible form factor with other manufacturers’ radar altimeters and can be integrated with older analog indicators. “It would be what I would call minimal modification of the aircraft,” says FreeFlight Systems President Anthony Rios. “It would be mostly just a connector change. It wouldn’t be structural—you don’t have to cut things or put new trays in.”
Air/Ground Connectivity
SmartSky NetworksMRO and completions company Flying Colours Corp. will act as a sales and installation facility for SmartSky Networks’ new 4G LTE air-to-ground connectivity system. The SmartSky shipset consists of an aircraft base radio and two antennas (transmit and receive) mounted to the bottom of the fuselage. Sales and installations will be available through Flying Colours locations in Peterborough, Ontario, and St. Louis, Missouri.
Low Earth Orbit
OneWebSatellite network developer OneWeb unveiled a joint development agreement with engineering company GDC Advanced Technology to certify new aviation terminals for OneWeb’s future low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, one of multiple new LEO constellations being launched. The companies will develop satcom terminals sized for airliners per the ARINC 791 specification and for smaller regional and business aircraft, then apply for supplemental type certifications to install terminals on several different aircraft types. GDC’s Tracy Trent (left) and OneWeb’s Ben Griffin display a transmit array at APEX Expo.
Plane Simple Antenna
Satcom DirectSatcom Direct (SD) reported the successful functioning of the Plane Simple Antenna System on its Gulfstream G350 testbed during a series of transatlantic and European validation flights. Over 16 hr. of testing, the tail-mounted, Ku-band system demonstrated its compatibility with the Intelsat FlexExec satellite network. The SDR Gateway router supported Wi-Fi distribution to numerous personal electronic devices in the cabin. SD is developing the two-line replaceable unit system (antenna and modem) with QEST Quantenelektronische Systeme of Germany.
Future Flight Deck
Bill Carey/AW&STProduct line director Jason Bialek pilots a concept demonstrator of Honeywell’s new Anthem cockpit, which the company unveiled in New York City in October. A fifth-generation integrated avionics suite, Anthem emphasizes autonomy, connectivity and touchscreen interfaces. The first applications will be on the seven-seat Lilium Jet and five-seat Vertical Aerospace VA-X4 vertical-takeoff-and-landing air taxis, both of which are expected to enter commercial service in 2024. Honeywell also reports interest from manufacturers of business and general aviation aircraft.
International Appeal
Genesys AerosystemsGenesys Aerosystems, formed from the 2014 management buyout of Chelton Flight Systems and S-TEC Corp. from Cobham Avionics, is ramping up marketing of its modernized avionics suite for the UH-60A/EH-60A Black Hawk. It is targeting international operators of A-model and eventually L-model UH-60s. Genesys and XP Services received FAA supplemental type certification of the EFIS upgrade in October 2020. Genesys is also working with Borsight Inc. to certify new avionics for the Aero Vodochody L-39NG Albatros jet trainer.
In addition to developing full integrated avionics suites, avionics manufacturers have introduced equipment upgrades and retrofits focused on improving pilots’ situational awareness and satisfying the growing demand for inflight connectivity, which will be served by new terrestrial and satellite-based communications networks.
