Avidyne Gets US Approval for AXP340
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| Avidyne’s AXP340 Mode S Transponder. Photo: Avidyne. |
Avidyne announced U.S. and European Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval of its AXP340 Mode S Transponder.
The AXP340 features Extended Squitter (ES) to transmit Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out information to ground stations and other ADS-B In-equipped aircraft. The solution gives General Aviation (GA) operators another option for complying with international requirements for ADS-B Out.
“AXP340 also has several new functions that make flying easier for pilots including direct-entry Numeric Keypad, one-touch VFR code entry, an easy-to-use stop watch timer, flight timer and altitude alerter,” said Patrick Herguth COO at Avidyne.
Avidyne’s AXP340 Mode S Transponder. Photo: Avidyne.
FAA Alters ‘Angle of Attack’ For Crash Prevention
The FAA announced a major shift in its regulation of Angle of Attack (AOA) indicators for small aircraft, making it easier for General Aviation (GA) operators to upgrade their cockpits with safety enhancing technology.
In recent years, the GA industry has been looking to reform the regulation of AOA indicators, because loss of control (mainly stalls) accounts for nearly 40 percent all fatal GA accidents, according to the FAA.
Regulatory costs have been the primary barrier between GA operators installing much-needed AOA indicators into their aircraft in the past.
Now, the FAA has removed that regulatory barrier, with its newly announced policy requiring manufacturers to build the AOA indicator system according to standards from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ATSM) and apply for FAA approval for the design certifying that the equipment meets ATSM standards.
FAA Issues Rule on Safety Enhancing Rotorcraft Avionics
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| Sandel Avionics’ ST3400H HeliTAWS Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System meets the FAA’s new HeliTAWS requirement for air ambulance operators. Photo: Sandel. |
The FAA released a final rule requiring a series of avionics, equipment, training and operational requirements in an effort to address the helicopter accident rate, which has significantly increased in recent decades.
Under the new rule, Part 135 helicopter operators will be required to equip their rotorcraft with radio altimeters, Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) and to use higher weather minimums when identifying an alternate airport in a flight plan.
The rule also requires air ambulance operators to immediately equip with a Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS) and, within four years, equip with a flight data monitoring system.
US Navy Tests Super Hornet Infrared Sensor
The U.S. Navy completed its first flight test of the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet Infrared Search and Track (IRST) sensor, designed to find hard-to-track targets over long distances.
Boeing calls the IRST sensor an essential upgrade for future combat capability for the Navy’s fleet of Super Hornets.
“Combined with the Super Hornet’s advanced radar and the Growler’s electronic attack radar jamming ability, IRST will allow the fleet to dominate the skies in all threat environments,” said Navy F/A-18 Program Manager Capt. Frank Morley
Wheels Up, Jet Aviation Expand Partnership
Wheels Up is expanding its partnership with Jet Aviation in a move to add an open fleet of midsize and large business jets to its private aviation services offerings.
Founded by Kenny Dichter, who also founded Marquis Jet, Wheels Up launched in 2013 with the largest General Aviation (GA) propeller driven aircraft order in history for 105 King Air 350s.
Jet Aviation aircraft will be stationed at Fixed Based Operations (FBOs) around the Northeast (New York), Southeast (Florida/Jacksonville), Southern California (Los Angeles) and Midwest (Chicago).