Business & GA, Commercial

AdvAero Selects Universal Avionics FMS, LPV Monitor

By Tish Drake | December 5, 2012
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Advanced Aerospace Solutions (AdvAero) upgraded its Piaggio P.180 Avanti human factors research aircraft with a WAAS/SBAS-capable UNS-1Ew Flight Management System (FMS) and LP/LPV Monitor from Universal Avionics. Mid-Canada Mod Center (MC2), a Universal Avionics Authorized Dealer, performed the upgrade at its Toronto, Canada, Pearson International Airport location. This is the first Avanti equipped to be able to make use of Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) Area Navigation (RNAV) (GNSS) approaches, according to Universal.

AdvAero, which is incorporated in North Carolina, is a joint venture between MW Aerospace Inc., Marinvent Corp., and Haynes Consulting, Inc.

“AdvAero’s NextGen and NASA R&D and certification projects require full WAAS RNP and LPV approach capabilities, which were not options for the production aircraft at the time I made my decision. After careful evaluation of the available systems, I selected the Universal UNS-1Ew with an LP/LPV monitor, because of the system’s combination of powerful integrated features, ease of use, and the extraordinary support provided by the company,” said John Maris, CEO of AdvAero.

With Universal Avionics’ WAAS/SBAS-capable UNS-1Ew FMS, the operator has access to RNAV approach types including those with RNAV (GNSS) LPV Level of Service. With Minimum Descent Altitudes (MDA) as low as 200 feet, with half-mile visibility, this approach type improves safety and accessibility to airports which have much higher approach minima or no other published approach type at all.  The LP/LPV monitor provides monitoring and positioning information for RNAV (GNSS) approaches with LPV minima. The unit incorporates a second SBAS receiver to monitor the guiding WAAS/SBAS-FMS.

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