The National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) annual meeting and exhibition opens next week in Las Vegas, and Avionics Magazine has a preview of what to expect from some of the biggest companies in the industry.
[Dassault Falcon 2000S, one of the business jets that will be on display at NBAA 2013. Photo, courtesy of Dassault.]
Although sales of business jets continue to struggle, according to a new report from analysts at Citi Group, NBAA expects the attendance to be the same as last year’s show, with 25,000 attendees and 1,100 exhibitors.
This will be the first year the group features an indoor display of aircraft at the Las Vegas Convention Center, in addition to its traditional airport-based outdoor display.
The opening session will include FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and John Pistole, administrator of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Exhibitors
Honeywell
Honeywell will present its much-anticipated global business aviation forecast Sunday, covering projected delivery of new business jets and industry growth over the next decade.
On the show floor, beginning Tuesday, Honeywell will be exhibiting its Gulfstream/Dassault business jet cockpit displays, IntuVue 3D weather radar and its Synthetic Vision System (SVS) among other avionics products.
Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins will feature its recently announced EVS-3000 enhanced vision system, and will also announce a launch customer for its HGS 3500, the first ever head-up display (HUD) designed for light to mid-size business jets.
Additionally, the manufacturer will introduce the first 3-D moving map system for light business jets, and will feature its lineup of integrated avionics systems, including the Pro Line Fusion and Pro Line 21 systems.
[EVS-3000 enhanced vision system. Photo, courtesy of Rockwell Collins.]
Barco
Barco will unveil its new lightweight avionics display, DU-1200, for the first time in the United States. The company calls it the “lightest 12-inch display in its class.” Attendees will also be able to test drive a prototype of Barco’s prototype cockpit display of the future, which features a composite flush glass display with a multi-touch screen and two stand-alone control units.
Luma Technologies
Luma Technologies will unveil its new LED replacement panels for the Beechcraft 400A and XP. The panels are already available 400XPR, and the company recently developed a retrofit replacement for the legacy analog logic and components on the 400A/XP aircraft.
Bruce Maxwell, president of Luma, said the 400A/XP variant is expected to receive a Supplemental Type Certificate from FAA by May 2014. Luma will have working units on display at its booth.
[Luma LT-4545 C-90 Panel. Photo, courtesy of Luma Technologies.]
Thales
At the show, Thales said it will have a “big announcement” with Dassault.
At the 2013 Paris Air Show, Thales introduced its future avionics concept, the “Avionics 2020” cockpit, with touchscreen displays and a feature that allows pilots to adjust aircraft takeoff and climb profile for optimal CO2 emissions and fuel burn. At NBAA, Thales will display a prototype of the “Avionics 2020” cockpit configured for business jets.
Appareo Systems
Appareo will be making its first appearance at NBAA, with plans on highlighting its Aircraft Logging and Event Recording for Training and Safety (ALERTS) flight data monitoring system designed for light business jets and legacy aircraft.
The second generation of its Stratus wireless receiver will also be on display. Stratus provides ADS-B traffic, GPS and weather information for the iPad.