AVIONICS 2.qxp_Finance 21/07/2021 12:26 Page 1
AVIONICS
How to Future-proof Your Avionics Avionics are a key focus for business jet operators, with significant implications for safety and performance. Today’s increasingly integrated systems offer a strong value proposition, according to industry experts. Gerrard Cowan explores… usiness jet avionics have always been focused on two main goals, according to Thomas Chatfield, CEO of MRO specialist Camber Aviation: enhancing safety and increasing capabilities. From a human factors perspective, these goals must also reduce pilot workload, he says. Chatfield points to the work of several major aircraft manufacturers in incorporating fly-by-wire flight controls and large touchscreen displays. Additionally, head-up displays receive sensor data to increase situational awareness and boost safety in various areas. Chatfield highlights the evolution of head-up guidance (HUG) in particular, which can significantly improve approaches and landings. Recent developments have increased HUG capabilities while lowering costs, making this upgrade affordable on even Mid-size and Light Jets,
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Chatfield says. “If a business jet owner decides to make a single investment into their aircraft flight deck to increase safety while reducing workload, then a HUG would be my first recommendation.” Technology has been moving towards singlesupplier, fully integrated flight deck avionics systems, Chatfield says. Rather than depending on individual systems with their own displays or representative symbologies, the data is being combined or fused “onto displays that are simpler to read and understand; that are more intuitive and less prone to misinterpretation than the last generation of flight decks”. Michael Kussatz, East Coast Regional Avionics Sales Manager for Duncan Aviation, says his company is seeing more interest in upgrading to the FAA’s Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), a highly accurate navigation system that improves upon GPS service and allows for Localizer www.AVBUYER.com
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