Will Supply Avio Total Aircraft Integration
Eclipse Aviation
Corporation, manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 jet, announced on
Wednesday that it has signed long-term contracts with a team of
world class suppliers for its Avio system.
Autronics, Crossbow Technology, FreeFlight Systems, Harco
Laboratories, Hispano-Suiza and Meggitt Avionics have been added to
the Avio supplier team.
Eclipse claims that Avio, developed in partnership with its team
of suppliers, delivers a level of integration and safety that has
previously been available only in advanced military aircraft and
commercial airliners. This Total Aircraft Integration is
delivered through integral, redundant computer systems and an
advanced power distribution system, which monitor and control all
aspects of the aircraft from engine controls to avionics to fuel
system management to cabin reading lights. Avio is exclusive
to the Eclipse 500 jet.
The systems provided by the new suppliers are:
Autronics-Aircraft Computer System (ACS)
Crossbow Technology-Attitude and Heading Reference System
(AHRS)
FreeFlight Systems-Global Positioning System (GPS) with Wide Area
Augmentation System (WAAS) capability
Harco Laboratories-Air Data Computer with Reduced Vertical
Separation Minimums (RVSM) capability
Hispano-Suiza-Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADECs)
Meggitt Avionics-Digital Autopilot
"Avio's capabilities, what we term Total Aircraft Integration, are
much more than cockpit integration. Only Avio provides the
pilot with fully-integrated electronic control of major aircraft
systems, not just avionics. This Total Aircraft Integration
provides a major step forward in safety and reduced pilot
workload," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse
Aviation. "With the naming of these new partners, Eclipse
continues our leadership role in building an aircraft that
increases ease of operation and, in turn, safety. Our
strategy is to seek out the best of the best, so that Eclipse
customers can have one of the most advanced aircraft in the world
at a cost of $950,000."
The new suppliers join existing Avio partners Avidyne and
General Dynamics and replace components previously contracted to
BAE Systems.
"These new partners
offer the most advanced components on the market today," said Don
Burtis, vice president of Avionics and Electronics at Eclipse
Aviation. "They are on the forefront of technological
innovation and are known leaders in digital avionics. We are
pleased that these suppliers share our vision to dramatically
improve the value proposition of private jets and have committed to
manufacture the most advanced products at very low costs."
Together with Avidyne and General Dynamics, these six new
suppliers provide the major building blocks of Avio. Avidyne
provides the pilot interface to Avio, including the dual Primary
Flight Displays and Multi Function Display, keyboard, autopilot
control panel, and navigation and communication radios.
General Dynamics provides the power distribution system, as well as
the starter generator.
Additionally, Avio's integration spans virtually all other
Eclipse 500 systems including the trim motors, flap actuators,
landing gear, climate control, lighting, trim, cabin pressurization
control, fuel and ice protection. Extremely accurate and
reliable proximity switches are also features of Avio; they are
used throughout the Eclipse 500, replacing most of the traditional
micro switches.