Amended STC
Astronics Corp., based in East Aurora, N.Y., received an amended Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) expanding the number of Beechcraft King Air aircraft that can be equipped with the Astronics Max-Viz-1500 enhanced vision system to include all King Air models equipped with any video-capable multifunction display (MFD).
The amended FAA STC expands the number of Max-Viz-1500 video-capable MFDs to include Garmin’s G500, G600 and G1000, Avidyne’s Entegra Release 9, Universal Avionics’ 890R, and any other video-capable MFD. In addition, King Airs with video-capable electronic flight bags are compatible with Astronics Max-Viz-1500. Previously, the Astronics Max-Viz-1500 was only available on King Airs equipped with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics. Visit www.astronics.com.
Satellite Office
Universal Avionics Systems, based in Tucson, Ariz., will open a new satellite office in Singapore.
Slated to open the first quarter of 2013, the Asia Pacific office will further support Universal’s customer base in areas including Thailand, Japan and Australia. Additionally, the Asia Pacific Office will be a dedicated sales and support base with local representatives. This office will support flight deck retrofit and OEM projects in work in the region, the company said.
Visit www.uasc.com.
HGS App
Rockwell Collins unveiled HGS Flight, a new app that lets users experience the company’s Head-up Guidance (HGS) with synthetic vision on an iPad. The free app will be available for download in the Apple iTunes App Store.
The company said the app lets users simulate flights using real-life advanced features that enable more precise flying, including an approach guidance cue, speed error tape and acceleration caret. The app also features synthetic vision to allow users to see a virtual view of terrain despite any weather condition, the company said. The videogame-style app offers a “career” mode to build HGS skill, and a “challenge” mode where users can define settings such as visibility and wind if they already are experts.
Visit www.rockwellcollins.com.
Sales Offices
Satcom Direct opened international offices in Montreal, Canada; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. All of the new international offices will provide sales and technical support for Satcom Direct services to customers located in or visiting these locations, and the Dubai office offers a small avionics and testing lab and training facility.
The new Satcom Direct International offices are the second round of global offices to open for the company. The initial Satcom Direct International office was opened in May 2012 in Farnborough, U.K., to provide European customers with physical access to Satcom Direct’s avionics and testing lab, training facility and support services for pilots, flight operations and maintenance staff.
Visit www.satcomdirect.com.
Avionics Shop
Duncan Aviation has partnered with Flightcraft in the opening of a new satellite avionics shop in Portland, Ore.
The Duncan Aviation avionics shop in Portland is staffed with fully certified technicians and have full avionics line services and avionics installations capabilities. Flightcraft supplies airframe services for Citation 500 series and is a Hawker/Beech authorized service center for the Hawker 125 series, King Air series, Beechjet and Premier.
Visit www.DuncanAviation.aero.
Designated Dealer
Soloy Aviation Solutions, based in Olympia, Wash., is designated as a Cobham/S-TEC dealer.
Soloy is authorized for autopilot, displays and HeliSAS systems in Cobham’s line of avionics products.
Cobham autopilots are STC’d for more than 1,200 fixed wing and helicopter models with more than 35,000 systems installed worldwide. Visit www.soloy.com.
G500H STC
Kitchener Aero Avionics, based in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, was awarded a supplemental type certificate (STC) for installation of the Garmin G500H flight display system on a Eurocopter EC-120.
Features of the system include Helicopter Synthetic Vision, an Altitude Heading Reference System and Air Data. Also STC’d in the EC-120 were the Garmin GDL-69/69A XM Weather DataLink, an Avidyne TAS-605 Traffic Awareness System, and a Honeywell KRA-405B Radar Altimeter system. All of these additional systems are controlled by and displayed on the G500H.
Visit www.kitcheneraero.com.
Distributor Agreements
Carlisle Interconnect Technologies, based in St. Augustine, Fla., said two connector distributors Richardson RFPD, based in LaFox, Ill., and RFMW, Ltd., based in San Jose, Calif. have inventory and full design support capabilities for Carlisle’s TMP and WMP Push-on Connector Series.
The TMP connectors are designed to provide a blind-mateable solution for high power applications. The TMP interface is ideal for design in radar, missile and satellite systems, as well as commercial applications, according to the company.
The WMP series offers a small form factor push on blind-mate solution for high frequency applications like military radios, electronic countermeasure, and test and measurement, from DC to 100 GHz, the company said.
Visit www.CarlisleIT.com.
Flight Planning
Boeing subsidiary Jeppesen introduced Jeppesen FlitePlan Online, a Web-based flight planning system for business aviation operators.
Jeppesen FlitePlan Online for business aviation operators includes intelligent routing, weather and weight and balance capabilities based on an operator’s exact aircraft configuration. The system also stores all relevant flight planning data in a single online resource, allowing for repeatable flight planning operations and decreased pilot workload, the company said. The Jeppesen FlitePlan Online solution for business aviation operators is accessible through the MyJeppesen.com web portal. Visit www.jeppesen.com.
Software Update
Garmin, based in Olathe, Kan., announced the availability of GTN software version 3.0, a free software update that brings expanded features and capabilities to the GTN series touchscreen avionics.
The new features include display support for weather radar, advanced automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities, worldwide connectivity, cross fill with the GNS 430W/530W series and geo-referenced FliteCharts.
The latest GTN software also incorporates other improvements such as the ability to graphically edit direct-to legs, the ability to sort airway exit points geographically, bigger, bolder, and relevant airspace with the Smart Airspace feature, the ability to toggle off and on certain European airspaces and TCAD traffic display, the company said.
GTN software version 3.0 has received Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate approval.
Visit www.garmin.com.
Flight Planning Upgrades
Lufthansa Systems added Lido/Flight Winds for visualizing flight paths and other information to its Lido/Flight flight planning system. This enhancement enables airline dispatchers to better monitor active flights until landing and to offer support to pilots when necessary, according to the company.
Lido/Flight calculates the most efficient route for each flight from possible combinations while taking all current flight-related data into account, which makes it possible to optimize routes in terms of costs, flight time or fuel consumption, Lufthansa said.
Visit www.LHsystems.com.