New Annunciation Control Unit Brings Vital Information To Pilots' Field Of View

Every incremental update to the amazing revolution that is taking place under our noses in the avionics industry presents a number of opportunities for those smart enough to grab the chance to support them. Mid-Continent Instruments is one of those smart little company that has built a niche out of supporting the best and brightest technologies in the avionics world with technologies of their own.

One such opportunity presented itself with Garmin's long-awaited update of the aging GNS 430/520 generation with an altogether new series of boxes, the GTN 650/750. Mid-Continent Instruments introduction of the MD41-151X Series Annunciation Control Units (ACU) is an upgrade to the company's MD41-146X Series Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) ACUs.

The MD41-151X ACU is designed as a companion to the new Garmin Touch Navigator (GTN) systems. Available in horizontal and vertical configurations, the unit identifies the suspend (SUSP) function independently of the OBS function. It also incorporates the loss of integrity (LOI) annunciation in place of the integrity (INTG) annunciation, fulfilling FAA requirements. The MD41-151X ACU is TSO certified and meets RTCA DO-160 environmental specifications.

"This compact, self-contained ACU provides convenient mode switching of Garmin's GTN systems," said Brett Williams, engineering manager for Mid-Continent Instruments.

"It brings vital status and warning information directly into the pilot's primary field of view. The MD41-151X has LED annunciation and a built-in photocell that offers automatic brightness control, as well as minimum brightness adjustment for optimal nighttime viewing."

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