Rotorcraft Report: Chelton Certifies Low-Cost ADAHRS

PRODUCTS/AVIONICS

Chelton Flight Systems has received FAA approval of a new, combined digital air data and solid-state attitude/heading reference system (ADAHRS).

Designed for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, the system provides "extremely precise digital output and referencing of aircraft position, rate, vector, and acceleration data" in a package that is one-tenth the size and one-eighth the weight of the two devices it replaces, according to the Boise, Idaho-based avionics maker.

The system is designed to interpret pitot-static data and outside air temperature to determine altitude, airspeed, vertical acceleration, and total temperature. Chelton claims it is the only product in its price range ($25,000) featuring the robustness of Level-A software.