Universal Avionics was on-site in Sweden last week to support initial test flights for the first of a fleet of freighter configured BAe Advanced Turbo Prop aircraft to undergo an extensive cockpit modernization program. Cargo airline West Atlantic is upgrading its fleet of ATP aircraft with a five-panel suite of Universal Avionics’ EFI-890R electronic flight instrumentation system, UNS-1L Flight Management System, Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) and Vision-1® Synthetic Vision System. Universal Avionics Technical Marketing and Field Engineering as well as representatives from system integrator Scandinavian Avionics supported West Atlantic with the successful flight test efforts.
The EFI-890R LCD Flat Panel system allows the display of critical primary flight data, engine indication, weather radar and navigation data from several onboard instruments in a large, centralized high-resolution digital format. The ATP upgrade will also include the AMETEK Engine Interface Unit and a new turbulence-capable weather radar.  The system is fully integrated with existing AFCS and replaces all electromechanical engine displays with engine displays on the new EFIS.  The updated system also incorporates FMS non-precision approach capability with planned growth for RNP and SBAS. The suite of upgrades that West Atlantic has chosen for the ATP fleet will provide the highest level of situational awareness for its pilots.
West Atlantic’s Technical Director Robert Drews states, “This major improvement will bring increased safety and reliability to the West Atlantic fleet. It will have a significant impact on maintenance costs and provide our flight crews with an efficient modern cockpit.”
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) completion is scheduled for second quarter of 2010, with fleet upgrades beginning shortly thereafter.

• ‹ previous
• 1645 of 2899
• next ›