Flight Computer
Avidyne, of Lincoln, Mass., introduced an attitude-based DFC100 Digital Flight Control System, which was specifically designed for installation in Cirrus SR20s and SR22s with Avidyne’s dual Air Data and Attitude Heading Reference Systems and the Entegra Release 9 Integrated Flight Deck. The DFC100 is an integrated flight computer and control panel designed as a plug-and-play replacement for existing STEC 55X flight computers, the company said. Visit www.avidyne.com.
Portable Transceiver
SkyTrac Systems, of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, launched ITRACS, its next generation portable transceiver for flight following and text messaging. The ITRACS has two internal batteries for extra long-life, portable operation, or it can operate using aircraft power. Operators have the choice of using a GPS/Iridium dual antenna integrated into the hardware, a TSO’d GPS/Iridium dual antenna installed on the exterior of the aircraft or a portable velcro or magnet GPS and Iridium antenna. ITRACS is Bluetooth enabled, and is configured remotely using SkyWeb, SkyTrac’s asset management and mapping tool. Visit www.skytrac.ca.
Autopilot Adapter
Garmin, of Olathe, Kan., introduced the GAD 43 adapter unit. The adaptor enhances autopilot interface capabilities for Garmin’s G500 and G600 flight display systems, allowing attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) to provide attitude information to selected autopilots in place of an attitude direction indicator or remote vertical gyro. The adaptor interfaces with the G500 and G600 for configuration and alerting, and with the GRS 77 remote AHRS for attitude, heading and yaw input information. For attitude-based autopilots, the GAD 43 can emulate the system’s gyro interfaces. Visit www.garmin.com.
ADS-B Receiver
NavWorx, Inc., of Rowlett, Texas, introduced the ADS600-series receivers, which display TIS-B traffic and FIS-B weather information. The receivers operate off a network of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) transmitters. The receiver is designed to meet FAA TSO-C154c, the Technical Standard Order defining Universal Access Transceivers operating on the 978 MHz frequency. Visit www.navworx.com.
FMS Certification
Universal Avionics, based in Tucson, Ariz., in collaboration with FAA, is streamlining the certification process for its WAAS/SBAS Flight Management System (FMS). The company’s "Engineering Assisted Field Approval Process" provides Universal FMS operators an upgrade path to WAAS Localizer Performance with Vertical (LPV) via FAA field approval (337). Using this method avoids a costly Supplemental Type Certificate process, the company said. Visit www.uasc.com.
Online Flight Planning
Air Routing International (ARI), based in Houston, added new capabilities to its suite of Online Flight Planning and Datalink services for domestic and international flight departments. ARI online services include flight planning; weather, flight plans and concierge services; Fuel Stop Analyzer; Online International Trip Quotes; GPS RAIM Prediction; Runway Analysis; APIS Solutions and Flight Manager. Visit www.AirRouting.com.
‘Scorpion’ Power Connaector
Positronic Industries, of Springfield, Mo., added the Scorpion series connector to its product line. Features of the new connector include modularity, multiple deying options and multiple configurations. Power options include 60 amperes size 8, 40 amperes size 12, and 30 amperes size 16 contacts, with contact resistance values as low as 0.001 ohms. Size 22 signal contacts are also available. Blank module options allow the user to space power and signal contacts to meet creepage and clearance values required for specific applications. Contact terminations include board-to-board, board-to-cable, cable-to-cable and panel mount options. Visit www.connectpositronic.com.
Embedded Processors
Aitech Defense Systems Inc., based in Chatsworth, Calif., will provide two embedded processing components for the Ares I Launch Vehicle Instrument Unit Avionics (IUA) flight computer and Command Telemetry Computer systems under a contract with Ball Aerospace & Technologies. Aitech’s S950 single board computer and S750 PCI mezzanine card (PMC) will be used in a triple-redundant configuration to provide flight-control redundancy in the IUA FC function. It has a 1 GHz processing engine and an increase of more than 20 percent in performance than the previous version. The Aitech S750 four-port Gigabit Ethernet PMC will relay high-speed imaging data to the crew exploration vehicle’s solid state recorder and ground support system. Visit www.rugged.com.