(Left to right) Steffen Vagt-Andersen, Planning Manager, Star Air; Nick Trent, Principal Program Manager, Rockwell Collins; and Colm Carty, Engineering Manger, Atlantic Aviation Group, inspecting the large-format flight display upgrade at the Atlantic Aviation Group facility recently in Shannon, Ireland. Photo courtesy of Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins’ large-format flight display upgrade for the Boeing 767 has received EASA type certification. This adds to the pre-existing FAA certification.
“This upgrade brings new life to the flight deck and makes the aircraft immediately ready for future airspace operations,” said Steve Timm, VP and general manager of air transport systems for Rockwell Collins. “Greater situational awareness for the pilots is a key benefit of the upgrade since the large-format displays enable flight information to be portrayed according to personal preferences.”
Rockwell Collins said the upgrade and certification were completed for Star Air through a collaborative effort between it, Boeing, Atlantic Aviation Group and L2 Aviation.
The upgrade also fits the Boeing 757. Rockwell Collins said the three 15.1-inch liquid-crystal displays improve reliability five-fold, decrease line maintenance actions by 80% and decrease avionics weight. The display upgrade also mitigates cathode ray tube obsolescence challenges. Rockwell Collins said other benefits of the upgrade include:
- “A platform to incorporate future safety-enhancing technology such as airport taxi maps, data link weather, surface guidance, and synthetic and enhanced vision systems
- “Complete replacement of all older displays and majority of older line-replaceable units (LRUs)
- “Engine-indication and crew-alerting system (EICAS) displays replaced and integrated into the LDS system
- “Reduced pilot training due to alignment with Boeing flight deck philosophy on its most modern aircraft, including Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX
- “The only certified system that is fully integrated and eliminates all the older EDUs from the cockpit”
“By collaborating with Rockwell Collins to offer the Large Display System (LDS), we¹re able to assure our 757 and 767 operators increased operational cost efficiencies and integrate new capabilities for future airspace mandates and upgrades,” said Robert Dankers, director of avionics modifications for Boeing Global Services. “Providing a modern, integrated flight deck solution with commonality to 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner brings further efficiencies in operations, training and sparing costs for many of our customers.”