Rockwell Collins introduced enhancements to its Flight Manager web-based application today at the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The changes to the program, which is part of the Iowa-based company’s Ascend flight information solutions, include dynamic graphical flight tracking and an electronic advance passenger information system (APIS) reporting tool for Part 91 operators.
Avionics and ATC
New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit; and news, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.
January 22, 2013 - 8:00am
Rockwell Collins introduced new enhancements to its Flight Manager web-based application today at the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The changes to the program, which is part of the Iowa-based company’s Ascend flight information solutions, include dynamic graphical flight tracking, and an electronic advance passenger information system (APIS) reporting tool for Part 91 operators.
January 21, 2013 - 12:35pm
A new Reason Foundation study argues that U.S. passenger airports could support themselves and fund capacity improvements with user fees and long-term financing, eliminating the need for government grants from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The study by the libertarian research organization also proposes spinning off the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO) into a separate federal entity that charges users for ATC services.
January 17, 2013 - 2:55pm
To help build sales momentum as it prepares to emerge from bankruptcy protection, Hawker Beechcraft is offering a free upgrade to the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite for customers who purchase a King Air 250 or 350i by February 28. The Fusion system features touchscreen primary and multifunction flight displays, as well as wireless updates of all flight-related databases and wireless downloading of maintenance information. According to Hawker Beechcraft, the upgrade also comes standard with synthetic vision and a graphical flight management system.
January 16, 2013 - 1:01pm
The latest upgrade in Duncan Aviation’s “Glass Box” project is a Falcon 900B retrofitted with a full Universal Avionics LCD glass cockpit, replacing the original Honeywell SPZ-8000 cathode-ray-tube displays.
The upgrade includes five Universal EFI-890R LED-backlit LCDs, engine indicating system replacing the original engine instruments, dual Universal UNS-1Fw flight management systems with Waas/LPV/satellite-based augmentation system capability and dual Vision 1 computers delivering synthetic vision on the primary displays.
January 16, 2013 - 12:35pm
The annual Aircraft Electronics Association Rate & Labor Survey showed that most respondents expect their businesses to grow this year and that rotorcraft work is increasing.
According to the survey, 56 percent of respondents (up from 49 percent last year) expect their level of business to grow during the coming year. Just 6 percent expected business to decrease, down from 15 percent in 2009 and 8 percent in 2010.
Avionics installation work that the companies expect to see includes retrofits of glass cockpits, ADS-B upgrades and Wi-Fi system installations.
January 16, 2013 - 12:25pm
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission issued a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking addressing the manufacture, sale and use of emergency locator transmitters that broadcast solely on 121.5 MHz. Comments on the NPRM are due 30 days from publication in the Federal Register, according to the National Air Transportation Association. Publication is expected next week.
January 15, 2013 - 3:30pm
Garmin has obtained FAA TSO approval for new VHF com and navcom radios that offer 8.33-kHz frequency spacing, more transmitter power and built-in frequency databases. Shipments of the new GTR (com) and GNC (navcom) series radios began last month, replacing the SL 30 and 40 models, which will eventually cease production. European TSO approval is expected in the first quarter.
January 15, 2013 - 3:10pm
Cessna has successfully completed certification flight tests of Safe Flight Instrument’s automatic throttle system for the Citation X. FAA STC approval of the autothrottle system for the Mach 0.92 jet is expected within the next month, according to Safe Flight. By controlling speed and thrust, the Cessna Citation X autothrottles will result in increased situational awareness, reduced crew workload, greater passenger comfort and extended range/payload potential, Safe Flight said.
January 8, 2013 - 3:31pm
An upgrade to Jeppesen’s Mobile FliteDeck iPad app now allows route planning data to be seamlessly transferred between mobile devices and installed avionics. The new route planning solution synchronizes an iPad running Mobile FliteDeck with certified panel-mount avionics through the Aspen Avionics Connected Panel communication network. GPS-derived own-ship position data can also be transferred through the Aspen Avionics gateway to Mobile FliteDeck on an iPad to show positioning on Jeppesen airport diagrams and en route charts.
