ATM Modernization

Perspectives: How Avionics Redefined Rotorcraft Design

In the early days of rotorcraft development, avionics and systems had a limited role in aircraft design. Essentially, the helicopter was an airframe and one or more engines. Early flight control systems…

ATM Modernization

Q&A: Matt Zuccaro: Rotorcraft Safety, Katrina and ADS-B

In the aviation menagerie, the helicopter is clearly a different animal. It performs many functions that other air vehicles cannot--for example, landing on offshore oil rigs. Rotorcraft are particularly beneficial during rescue…

ATM Modernization

Safety: Electrickery and Nil Redundancy

The flight crew lost nearly all of their instrument displays and used both visual and standby horizons at night for attitude reference until the unexplained electrical failure resolved itself. Then, instead of…

ATM Modernization

Scan

First Public RNP Approach On Dec. 20, 2005, FAA demonstrated to the press the first public U.S. required navigation performance (RNP) approach--at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Alaska Airlines started employing the…

ATM Modernization

Scan

Another Step for ADS-B ACSS, an L-3 Communications and Thales company, and UPS Aviation have partnered to develop an automatic dependent surveillance system-broadcast (ADS-B) package designed to assure the safe separation of…

ATM Modernization

Product Focus: Tracking MEMS In Navigation Systems

Rugged, reliable and affordable micromachines are moving into prime-time avionics applications in unmanned air vehicles and precision-guided munitions. Tiny micro electromechanical systems, or MEMS, are no longer the stuff of fiction. The…

ATM Modernization

Calendar

January 18-20 ION National Technical Meeting 2006, the Hyatt Regency Monterey, Monterey, Calif. Contact Institute of Navigation, phone 703-383-9688 or visit www.ion.org. 23-25 System Engineering for Project Managers, a short course offered…

Commercial

Avionics Development: Playing by the New Rules

In the prehistoric days of avionics manufacturing--say, 10 years ago--suppliers worked under a build-to-print model. Airframe manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier gave them a system control document that spelled out…