Tag: cockpit (Page 4 of 5)

Garmin Adds G1000 NXi Upgrade for the King Air C90

October 27, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

OLATHE, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced certification of the G1000^® NXi integrated flight deck upgrade for the King Air C90. With the G1000 NXi, aircraft owners and operators receive a wealth of new features, innovative capabilities and added utility all within a modern flight deck. King Air C90 owners and operators can easily upgrade from the G1000 to the G1000 NXi with minimal aircraft downtime and installation labor to receive a next-generation integrated flight deck.“As the popularity and demand of the G1000 NXi continues to grow, we’re excited to expand the availability of this upgrade to even more aircraft”

“As the popularity and demand of the G1000 NXi continues to grow, we’re excited to expand the availability of this upgrade to even more aircraft,” said Carl Wolf, vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “The G1000 NXi is an advanced flight deck that adds modern features including wireless connectivity, visual approach guidance, SurfaceWatch™, HSI map and more, all of which add tremendous value and advanced capability than ever before into existing King Air C90 aircraft.”

Flight Stream 510 and Connext^® technology within the G1000 NXi integrated flight deck enables Database Concierge, the wireless transfer of aviation databases from the Garmin Pilot™ app on a mobile device to the G1000 NXi. Additional features include two-way flight plan transfer, the sharing of traffic¹, weather¹, GPS information, back-up attitude information and more, between the G1000 NXi and the Garmin Pilot, FltPlan Go and ForeFlight Mobile applications.

Visual approach guidance and map overlay within the horizontal situation indicator (HSI) further enhance the G1000 NXi feature set. Within the HSI map, pilots can overlay NEXRAD, Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) weather, weather radar, SafeTaxi^®airport diagrams, traffic, terrain and more. NEXRAD weather radar imagery can be overlaid on the moving map and animated on the multifunction display (MFD). Split-screen view is also available on the MFD, offering a simultaneous view of maps, charts, checklists, flight plans and more on a single screen. The addition of sectional charts and IFR low/high enroute charts give pilots convenient access to chart data on the flight display.

The G1000 NXi also supports the display of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) In traffic and subscription-free Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) weather. The addition of SurfaceWatch runway monitoring technology provides visual and aural cues to help prevent pilots from taking off or landing on a taxiway, on a runway that is too short or on the wrong runway based on performance data entered during preflight. Visual and audible runway distance remaining annunciations are also available via SurfaceWatch within the G1000 NXi.

Modernized displays offer improved readability, while state-of-the-art processors provide smoother panning throughout the displays and faster map rendering within the G1000 NXi. Because the flight displays initialize in seconds, pilots have immediate access to frequencies, flight plan data and more, saving valuable time in the cockpit. The G1000 NXi integrated flight deck also incorporates contemporary animations and new LED back-lighting, offering increased display brightness and clarity, reduced power consumption, and improved dimming performance.

This upgrade adds to the growing portfolio of aircraft eligible for the G1000 NXi integrated flight deck upgrade, including the King Air 200/300/350, Daher TBM 850/900, Cessna Citation Mustang, the Piper PA-46 and soon, the Embraer Phenom 100. Aircraft owners and operators can easily upgrade to the G1000 NXi with little aircraft down time and disruption of the panel because the displays preserve the same footprint and connectors, so panel and wiring modifications are minimized. The G1000 NXi upgrade for the King Air C90 is available immediately through select Garmin dealers. The upgraded components of the G1000 NXi also come with a two-year warranty, which is supported by Garmin’s award-winning avionics product support team. For additional information regarding the G1000 NXi upgrade for the King Air, contact Scott Frye at 913-440-2412 or scott.frye@garmin.com.

Garmin’s aviation business segment is a leading provider of solutions to OEM, aftermarket, military and government customers. Garmin’s portfolio includes navigation, communication, flight control, hazard avoidance, an expansive suite of ADS-B solutions and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and value. For more information about Garmin’s full line of avionics, go to www.garmin.com/aviation.

First Leonardo AW109 Trekker VIP for Europe Debuts at Monaco Yacht Show

September 28, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

The first VIP AW109 Trekker for the European market is destined for the United Kingdom where Leonardo has a fleet of almost 100 VIP helicopters
Leonardo has a global fleet of over 830 VIP helicopters performing private, charter, scheduled, corporate transport, air-taxi, tourism and VVIP transport
With skids and high levels of customization, the AW109 Trekker is slated to increase Leonardo’s impressive VIP market share (44% in twin engines)

The first Leonardo AW109 VIP Trekker helicopter for a European customer debuts today at the Monaco Yacht Show – Leonardo stand QA13 / Quai Antoine 1er. The Monaco Yacht Show (25 to 28 September) is one of the most important international luxury yacht showcases. After the show, the VIP Trekker will fly to the United Kingdom for delivery thanks to Sloane Helicopters, Leonardo’s distributor for over twenty years in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The privately-owned aircraft will be operated by Apollo Air Services, available for VIP charter market.

The AW109 Trekker is the newest model within Leonardo’s light twin-engine helicopter range. The Trekker joins a fleet of Leonardo VIP helicopters that lead the UK and Irish market: almost 100 aircraft with nearly 90% represented by the AW109 series (Power, Grand and GrandNew). This market is second only to Brazil where about 130 Leonardo VIP helicopters fly amongst 400 San Paolo helipads.

The helicopter maker and the distinguished Italian Style of its VIP helicopter design are embraced around the world, boasting a 44% global share in the twin-engine VIP helicopter market. The Company’s fleet of 2,300 civil helicopters are used for law enforcement, offshore transport, utilities, search and rescue and VIP / corporate transport. More than 830 aircraft carry out a range pf passenger transport missions including private, charter, scheduled flights, corporate, air-taxi, tourism, VVIP.

Leonardo’s VIP helicopter models all share a strong commitment to high performance, versatility, safety, reliability, support and training services, design and a high level of customization. The Company features the largest range of executive, corporate and government transport helicopters including the AW119Kx single engine 1.8 tonne, the AW109 series, the AW169, AW139, AW189 and the three-engine 16 tonne.

With the AW109 Trekker Leonardo is destined to increase its notable market share, thanks to features that combine the qualities of the AW109 Grand—long recognized by operators—including its spacious cabin, state-of-the-art Genesys Aerosystems avionics and skids, particularly suitable for landing on yachts. The combination is unmatched in terms of cost/effectiveness, technology and performance.

Sloane Helicopters will be maintaining two AW109 Trekkers in UK. Building on the qualities that have made the AW109 series the benchmark helicopters in its category, Sloane will be performing demonstration flights with the new Leonardo light twin inviting operators to learn more about its unique characteristics.

NOTE TO EDITORS ON THE AW109 TREKKER VIP

The AW109 Trekker combines excellent performance, the latest technology and high safety standards to provide customers an ideal combination of comfort and capabilities. The finest materials and the highest levels of craftsmanship give the helicopter a unique style and ensure passengers a pleasant journey.

The AW109 Trekker is equipped with a latest generation Genesys Aerosystems glass cockpit that can be configured according to customer needs: one or two pilots, VFR or IFR.

The large and bright cabin can be configured in a variety of layouts and boasts an effective soundproofing system to offer passengers an extremely pleasant flight. Large sliding doors on both sides ensure easy entry and exit, while the luggage compartment offers high load capacity.

It can carry 6/7 passengers and has a maximum take-off weight of 3.175 kg. Over 60 AW109 Trekkers have already been sold to customers around the world to date for multiple missions such as VIP transport, offshore, utilities, EMS / SAR, law enforcement.

French Judges Drop Charges Against Air France Over 2009 Crash, Blames Pilots

September 5, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

PARIS, Sept 5 (Reuters) – French judges have dropped charges against Air France and Airbus over a mid-Atlantic plane crash in 2009 that killed all 228 people on board, blaming the pilots for losing control of the plane.

In their conclusions, seen by Reuters, the judges said the pilots of the Airbus A330 had failed to process all the warnings and instrument readings provided by the aircraft.

The plane plunged into the ocean en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris after entering an aerodynamic stall and falling from an altitude of 38,000 feet during a storm, its engines running but its wings losing lift.

“The direct cause of the accident is the crew’s loss of control of the aircraft’s trajectory,” the judges determined.

Other crews, faced with similar situations, had successfully maintained control of their aircraft, their ruling said.

The judges overruled the prosecutors investigating the case, who had recommended that Air France stand trial over the crash in July.

In their 2012 report, French civil accident investigators found the startled crew of AF447 mishandled the loss of airspeed readings from pitot sensors blocked with ice and pushed the jet into a stall by holding the nose too high. The report also cited poor training and the lack of a clear cockpit display for speed problems.

The three-year civil investigation was not designed to cast blame, which was the purpose of the separate judicial probe culminating in the decision on Thursday.

A lawyer representing the families of victims said an appeal against the judges’ decision would be lodged immediately.

“The judges have just written in black and white that the icing of the pitot sensors had nothing to do with the accident. It’s nonsense,” Sebastien Busy told Reuters. “If the pitot sensors hadn’t iced up, there wouldn’t have been an accident.”

The accident was the deadliest in the history of Air France and in the history of the A330.

A decade later, the aviation industry is still implementing lessons learned from the crash. Changes have focused on training, cockpit procedures and the tracking of aircraft in remote zones.

It took salvage teams nearly two years to locate the A330’s flight recorders on the ocean floor.

(Reporting by Sophie Louet and Emmanuel Jarry Writing by Richard Lough; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)

Collins Aerospace and L3 Harris to Support New C-130H Aircraft Cockpit Capabilities

August 30, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

1970s era aircraft to be updated with Flight 2 Avionics
Will support extension of life of the aircraft by 20 years
Provides pilots increased situational awareness and reduces workload

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Aug. 28, 2019) – Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has been selected by L3Harris Technologies to play a key role in the U.S. Air Force’s C-130H Avionics Modernization Program Increment 2 (AMP INC 2) program. The fleet of 176 C-130H aircraft, operated by the Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve, will be equipped with Collins Aerospace’s Flight2™ integration avionics system and will expand the company’s position as a global leader in C-130 modifications.

Once on contract, Collins Aerospace’s Flight2 avionics will replace over 100 analog instruments in the current cockpit with seven multifunctional displays (MFD), three control display units (CDU), and a new digital autopilot. These new systems will reduce workload, improve the pilots’ situational awareness, and improve the safety and reliability of the aircraft. The new displays also make it easier for the pilots to overlay flight plans, see nearby points-of-interest and view radar and threat information.

“Prior to our selection for the AMP INC 2 program, 190 C-130 aircraft have already been modified, or are on contract to be modified, with our proven Flight2™ avionics. Our history of successful installations played a big role in our selection,” said Dave Schreck, vice president and general manager for Military Avionics and Helicopters at Collins Aerospace. “These aircraft are important to national security, and by working with L3Harris, our integrated avionics system will support the extension of the life of the planes for another 20 years.”

The avionics contract adds to the suite of nose-to-tail solutions that Collins Aerospace provides for the C-130 aircraft. Other products include propellers, wheels, brakes, secure communications, Head-up Displays/Enhanced Vision Systems (HUD/EVS) and advanced cargo loading systems.

Saab Brazilian Gripen E Completes its First Flight

August 29, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Saab today completed a successful first flight with the first Brazilian Gripen E fighter aircraft, 39-6001. At 2.41 pm CET on August 26, the Gripen E aircraft took off on its maiden flight flown by Saab test pilot Richard Ljungberg. The aircraft operated from Saab´s airfield in Linköping, Sweden.

The duration of the flight was 65 minutes and included test points to verify basic handling and flying qualities at different altitudes and speeds. The main purpose was to verify that the aircraft behavior was according to expectations.

“This milestone is a testament to the great partnership between Sweden and Brazil. Less than five years since the contract was signed, the first Brazil Gripen has conducted her first flight,” says Håkan Buskhe, President and CEO of Saab.

This aircraft is the first Brazilian production aircraft and will be used in the joint test program as a test aircraft. The main differences compared to the previous test aircraft are that 39-6001 has a totally new cockpit layout, with a large Wide Area Display (WAD), two small Head Down Displays (sHDD) and a new Head Up Display (HUD). Another major difference is an updated flight control system with updated control laws for Gripen E. It also includes modifications both in hardware and software.

“For me as a pilot it has been a great honour to fly the first Brazilian Gripen E aircraft as I know how much this means for the Brazilian Air Force and everyone at Saab and our Brazilian partners. The flight was smooth and the aircraft behaved just as we have seen in the rigs and simulators. This was also the first time we flew with the Wide Area Display in the cockpit, and I am happy to say that my expectations were confirmed,” says Saab test pilot Richard Ljungberg.

39-6001 will now join the test programme for further envelope expansion as well as testing of tactical system and sensors.

39-6001 will be designated F-39 in the Brazilian Air Force and will have the tail number 4100.

Watch the video!

MDHI Features MD 530F at APSCON 2019

July 15, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announces its participation in the 2019 Airborne Public Safety Aviation Convention (APSCON), July 17-19, 2019 at the CHI Health Center, Omaha, NE. The MDHI display will feature a company-owned MD 530F configured with the type-certified Block 1 all-glass cockpit, newly designed side mounts, and critical vision mission equipment from Trakka Systems. The MD 530F on display is one of two MDHI research and development assets dedicated to ensuring technological and performance improvements for the iconic 369FF airframe.

“Continuous improvements, innovation, and service to airborne law enforcement and public safety operations have been at the core of MD Helicopters’ business for more than 50 years,” said Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer for MD Helicopters, Inc. “Through investment in product design and internal research, development and testing, we are able to deliver next generation capabilities that improve performance, reduce pilot workload, and ensure that reliability, affordability and optimal operational readiness remain hallmarks of the MDHI brand for the next 50 years and beyond.”

Current MDHI customers and interested operators who visit the MDHI booth at the 2019 Airborne Public Safety Aviation Convention (APSCON), will be able to learn more about the following offerings:

Certified Glass Cockpits

MDHI has type-certified for production, and as a type-design option, advanced, all-glass cockpits for the MD 530F and the MD 600N. Certification efforts are ongoing for the company’s other single-engine models. The Block 1 glass cockpit for the MD 530F single-engine helicopter features:

Howell Instruments Electronic Engine Instruments and Crew Alert System (EICAS)
Garmin G500[H] TXi Electronic Flight Instruments (EFIS) with Touchscreen GDU 700P PFD/MFD
Garmin GTN 650 Touchscreen NAV/COM/GPS
Optional L-3 ESI 500 Electronic Standby Instrument

Advanced Mission Equipment Installation

In order to accommodate installation of the widest range of mission critical vision technologies, MD Helicopters designed and is currently certifying innovative new side mounts that will allow effortless integration of critical EO/IR and searchlight equipment. The mounts are purpose-built to support law enforcement-preferred left-hand command configurations for vision solutions.

On display at the MDHI booth, #1001, are EO/IR and Searchlight solutions from TRAKKA Systems.

TrakkaBeam® TLX
TC-300 high performance multi-sensor surveillance system

Aftermarket & Customer Support Programs

The MD Helicopters Aftermarket and Customer Support teams continue to focus on innovation and responsiveness. Both the easy-to-use MyMD.aero customer portal and the Aftermarket Center of Excellence (ACE) have played integral roles in ensuring optimal operational readiness for the global fleet of MDHI-brand helicopters.

Demo Flights

MDHI has limited availability for demo flights while in Omaha. Interested organizations with current acquisition plans can request a demo flight either prior to show open (July 14 or 15), or immediately following the close of APSCON 2019 (July 19 or 20). Request should be submitted through your MDHI Business Development Director.

“We have great respect for our law enforcement operators, the job they do and the sacrifices they make each and every day, and it is for them that we remain focused on manufacturing the best helicopters with the most advanced, most affordable, most capable systems available.”

International Defense & Aerospace Group Welcomes MD 530F

July 10, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Authorized MDHI Sales Agent International Defense & Aerospace Group welcomes the first of up to 3 new, state-of-the-art MD 530F helicopters to be used for tactical and NVG flight training

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) is proud to announce the sale and delivery of a new MD 530F to International Defense & Aerospace Group, LLC (IDAG), a Pennsylvania-based authorized sales agent. The company’s first state-of-the-art MD 530F aircraft with a production all-glass cockpit, the custom-configured F-model will join an IDAG fleet of training aircraft operated by the Slovak Training Academy that also includes five (5) MD 500E-model helicopters. Its primary role will be to support the tactical and NVG flight training needs of military and paramilitary helicopter pilots from around the world.

“We are excited about the sale of this MD 530F, and the opportunity to have military and paramilitary pilots from around the world train in the MD 530F,” said Lynn Tilton, MD Helicopters, Inc. Chief Executive Officer. “MD Helicopters and International Defense & Aerospace Group are aligned in our commitment to delivering excellence in product quality, support and training, and in our belief that the MD 500E and MD 530F airframes offer the best performance in their class for training, law enforcement and military operations.”

An authorized MDHI Sales Agent for select Central and Eastern European opportunities since 2017, International Defense & Aerospace Group (IDAG) focuses on the sale and service of specialty rotorcraft solutions to military and paramilitary operators throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Global airborne law enforcement, military, and Special Forces operators worldwide also recognize IDAG for offering a comprehensive curriculum of transition and tactical flight training.

“We believe in the quality, proven performance and durability of MD Helicopters’ aircraft,” said Bob Caldwell, President and CEO of IDAG. “The MD 500-series helicopters are perfectly suited for training missions. They are incredibly robust, economical to operate, and have an unmatched safety record.”

IDAG also supports fleet operations and flight crew training for several regional national police agencies and operators.

Configuration

Powered by the Rolls-Royce 250-C30 650shp turbine engine, IDAG’s right-hand command MD 530F is the first type-certified 369FF aircraft to be produced with the company’s all-glass cockpit, and also features NVIS cockpit lighting, extended landed gear, and a 21-gallon Fargo auxiliary fuel tank.

“The MD 530F is one of our most versatile airframes,” Tilton concludes. “It is a proven performer with military and paramilitary operators worldwide, and delivers the overall performance, reliability and mission flexibility required by our growing global base of operators. We congratulate IDAG on this acquisition decision and look forward to the continued growth of their MD Helicopters fleet.”

VIDEO & IMAGE ASSETS: Click here to view a short video featuring this new, multi-mission, multi-role MD 530F. High-resolution images can be requested via MD Helicopters

Bombardier Launches the Learjet 75 Liberty

July 2, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

July 2, 2019 Montréal Aviation, Business Aircraft, Press Release

Newest Learjet gives light jet passengers the freedom to stretch out with a six-seat configuration in the category’s longest cabin
The Learjet 75 Liberty is a step up for light jet operators, delivering better performance for the same operating costs as the competition
With a list price of $9.9 million U.S., the Learjet 75 Liberty puts the world’s best light jet within reach of more customers than ever
The Learjet 75 Liberty is expected to enter service in 2020

Bombardier is proud to unveil the Learjet 75 Liberty, offering more light jet operators than ever before the opportunity to step up into the iconic platform that launched business aviation in America.

Passengers who step into the six-seat Learjet 75 Liberty will have the freedom to stretch out in the only Executive Suite in the light jet category, aboard a stunning cabin that delivers the quietest and smoothest ride.

The Learjet 75 Liberty will be offered at a list price of $9.9 million U.S., with first deliveries expected in 2020. This exceptional value proposition represents a new frontier for the Learjet brand.

“The Learjet 75 Liberty represents a step up for customers in the light jet segment, with unprecedented spaciousness and Bombardier’s renowned smooth ride,” said David Coleal, President, Bombardier Aviation. “The newest member of the Learjet family delivers a flight experience that eclipses the competition.”

The Learjet 75 Liberty offers better performance at the same operating costs as competitor aircraft. The Learjet 75 Liberty is the fastest aircraft in the light jet segment and has a greater reach than the competition. Its range of 2,080 nautical miles can connect Las Vegas to New York, Seattle to Washington, D.C., and Mexico City to San Francisco, nonstop.*

Featuring a flat floor throughout the cabin, a standard pocket door between the cockpit and the Executive Suite providing the quietest flight experience and a Gogo ATG 4G solution for seamless connectivity, the Learjet 75 Liberty offers an environment tailored for productivity.**

The Learjet 75 Liberty aircraft is certified to the FAA’s more stringent Part 25 regulations, applicable to commercial airliners, unlike most competitors in the light jet category that are certified to Part 23 regulations.

Learjet aircraft are preferred by pilots for their impressive handling characteristics and outstanding performance. The Learjet 75 Liberty will feature the advanced Bombardier Vision flight deck, and include the recently announced Garmin G5000 avionics upgrade.

Proudly assembled by a world-class team in Wichita, Kansas, Learjet aircraft represent the pinnacle of American ingenuity.

“I’m extremely proud that the Learjet 75 Liberty will be built in Wichita, where the Learjet dream first took flight,” said Tonya Sudduth, Vice President of Operations and Wichita Site, Bombardier Aviation. “Our Wichita facility today has a diverse mandate supporting Bombardier’s extensive fleet of business aircraft, but to introduce the newest member of this iconic brand is of special significance to our team.”

Cessna Citation Excel, XLS Receive Garmin G5000 Certification

July 1, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

WICHITA, Kan. (July 1, 2019) – Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced that the Garmin International G5000 integrated flight deck is now available for the Cessna Citation Excel and Citation XLS. The G5000 modernizes the cockpit, solves parts obsolescence and addresses mandate requirements, while also offering a lower cost of operation.

“The Citation Excel and Citation XLS continue to be two of the most popular business jets in the world,” said Kriya Shortt, Textron Aviation senior vice president, Global Customer Support. “The G5000 will modernize the cockpit to offer customers additional situational awareness, lower cost of operation and an improved in-flight experience in the aircraft they already know and love.”

The G5000 integrated flight deck for the Citation Excel and Citation XLS features three landscape-oriented displays with split-screen capability, intuitive touchscreen controllers, and geo-referenced Garmin SafeTaxi airport diagrams. New to the Citation Excel, emergency descent mode is available as a standard feature with the G5000 and is enabled by the autopilot in the event of a loss in aircraft pressurization. Additionally, operators gain access to more airports and lower approach minimums throughout the world as the G5000 has PBN/RNP 0.3 with LPV/APV approach capability.

The G5000 integrated flight deck upgrade is available immediately for Citation Excel and Citation XLS aircraft at Textron Aviation Service Centers and select Garmin dealers.

Boeing Receives U.S. Navy Multiyear Contract for F/A-18

April 9, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

ARLINGTON, Va., March. 20, 2019 – With a three-year contract award for 78 F/A-18 Block III Super Hornets, Boeing [NYSE: BA] will play a vital role in the U.S. Navy’s fleet modernization efforts.

The Block III configuration adds capability upgrades that include enhanced network capability, longer range, reduced radar signature, an advanced cockpit system and an enhanced communication system. Boeing will begin converting existing Block II Super Hornets to Block III early in the next decade. The fighter’s life also will be extended from 6,000 hours to 10,000 hours.

This new multi-year contract benefits the U.S. Navy and Boeing by allowing both to schedule future production and Navy officials estimate this multi-year model saves a minimum of $395 million on this contract valued at approximately $4 billion.

“This multiyear contract will provide significant savings for taxpayers and the U.S. Navy while providing the capacity it needs to help improve readiness,” said Dan Gillian, vice president of F/A-18 and EA-18G programs. “A multiyear contract helps the F/A-18 team seek out suppliers with a guaranteed three years of production, instead of negotiating year to year. It helps both sides with planning, and we applaud the U.S. Navy on taking the appropriate steps needed to help solve its readiness challenges.”

For more information on Defense, Space & Security, visit www.boeing.com. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense and @BoeingSpace.

Archives