Airborne Server PMA
Kontron received FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) on its next-generation ACE Flight 600 general purpose airborne server. According to the company, this milestone signifies that the airborne server meets the high safety and regulatory standards required for commercial aviation, and is suitable for aircraft installations worldwide.
The Kontron ACE Flight 600 integrates dual core 1.5 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of DDR3 memory and up to 1.8 terabytes of combined SATA SSD storage. This ARINC 600 4MCU form factor system also features 6 Rx/ 3 Tx ARINC 429 channels, six inputs and four outputs of discrete I/O. The Kontron ACE Flight 600 features GSM USIM access, 2x removable SSDs, VGA, 2x RS-232, USB and 10/100/1000Base T ports.
Visit http://us.kontron.com.
Databus Test
Data Device Corp. (DDC), of Bohemia, N.Y., introduced dataSIMS Version 4.3.1, which adds software support for its AFDX/ARINC 664 PMC Card. DDC’s dataSIMS data bus test and analysis software provides a graphical interface for advanced data simulation, visualization, analysis and integration, the company said.
The DD-82101F AFDX/ARINC 664 PMC card, which is also available in PCI and cPCI form factors, provides two full duplex AFDX/ARINC 664 network interfaces that can be operated in either independent or dual-redundant mode, and offers comprehensive error injection/detection, filtering and triggering features. Visit www.ddc-web.com.
Force Trim System
Cool City Avionics, based in Mineral Wells, Texas, received FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorization for its FT-100 Force Trim System for helicopters. The STC installation in the Robinson R44 has been completed and the STC issuance is pending, the company said.
The new FT-100 holds the cyclic in place using a Force Gradient System that provides a “force feel” as the control is moved away from its center “engage” position. The system gives the pilot short-term “hands-free” time to perform other activities besides flying and reduces his stress and fatigue, the company said.
Visit www.CoolCityAvionics.com.
Data Agreement
Jeppesen data is now available for Garmin, Avidyne, Dynon Avionics and Aspen Avionics units for general aviation pilots, through the new bundled service agreement with Pacific Coast Avionics, a Portland, Ore.-based provider of avionics, pilot supplies and aircraft services.
The Pacific Coast Avionics bundled service options provide Jeppesen’s data, including NavData, JeppView charting, Jeppesen obstacle, terrain and cultural information and eCharts for Multi-Function Display. Garmin GTN PilotPak bundle plans with Jeppesen data are also available through Pacific Coast Avionics.
A Pacific Coast Avionics Web portal has been created for customers to directly order Jeppesen bundled services, with Jeppesen service representatives available to answer customer questions, the company said. Visit www.jeppesen.com.
Rugged Display
Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions expanded its Skyquest family of rugged mission displays, with the AVDU5008-EP rugged 20-inch LCD display.
Designed for mission display applications such as moving maps, the AVDU5008’s 1366×768 resolution display features a glove-operable touchscreen to simplify control of programs driven by the embedded PC, the company said. The system is designed to meet the unique demands of airborne defense, coast guard and law enforcement applications, such as surveillance, patrol and search & rescue, according to the company.
The AVDU5008-EP features hard bezel keys for core controls such as power and brightness, and LEDs to indicate the state of connected recorders. The AVDU5008-EP has a dual-backlight design to support sunlight readability during the day and compatibility with night vision goggles at night. The display can be integrated into an aircraft’s lighting bus to provide remote control brightness of bezel-mounted keys and LEDs, the company said. Visit www.cwcontrols.com.
Messaging Capability
Blue Sky Network, of La Jolla, Calif., said its portable Bluetooth device, HawkEyeLink, now supports access and transmission of electronic forms. HawkEyeLink enables two-way messaging on smartphone and tablet devices via the Iridium satellite network and works in conjunction with Blue Sky Network’s D1000. The new feature enables users to access, edit and transmit dynamic electronic forms on an iPad while in the air via the Iridium network.
With the upgrade, the HawkEyeLink serves as an extension to electronic flight bag capabilities and enables operators to send electronic forms from an iPad to Blue Sky Network’s cloud-based web portal, New SkyRouter. By allowing fleet operators to build and fully customize forms such as flight plans, weight and balance, and flight manifest HawkEyeLink supports the industry’s movement towards paperless fleet operations, according to the company.
Visit www.blueskynetwork.com.
ADS-B Integration
FreeFlight Systems, based in Waco, Texas, is interfacing its Model 1201 WAAS/GPS sensor with the Garmin GTX 330 Mode S transponder to provide an additional 1090 MHz Extended Squitter (1090ES) ADS-B Out upgrade solution for GTX 330 owners.
Under a technology licensing agreement between FreeFlight and Garmin, FreeFlight Systems is enabling the 1201 WAAS/GPS sensor to serve as the approved high-integrity position source paired with the GTX 330 with ES functionality in a rule-compliant 1090ES ADS-B Out installation. The upgrade solution increases ADS-B Out equipage choices for aircraft owners based on their on their aircraft type, existing avionics and flying requirements, according to the company.
Visit www.freeflightsystems.com.