Features Aural Alerts Of Traffic's Range, Bearing, Relative Altitude

Here's one "VIP" that won't overstay its welcome in the cockpit. L-3 Communications Avionics Systems announced Thursday at AOPA Expo 2007 its SkyWatch HP Collision Avoidance System will now feature Verbal Intruder Positioning (VIP).

The Verbal Intruder Positioning capability features extended aural alerts of range, bearing and relative altitude when a Traffic Advisory (TA) is issued for a threat aircraft. Users will hear warnings such as "Traffic, Traffic – 12 O’Clock High – Three Miles," in addition to the normal visual display of threatening aircraft.

L-3 Avionics added VIP to its SkyWatch 497 last year.

"After we offered VIP for SkyWatch 497, we began receiving inquiries for VIP callouts for SkyWatch HP as well," said Larry Riddle, Vice President of Business Development. "It’s not surprising. L-3 Avionics has been providing collision avoidance to the GA community for more than 10 years and we’re the top seller of GA traffic systems."

L-3 Avionics Systems will offer a VIP upgrade option to all existing SkyWatch HP owners for a nominal fee. Any customers wishing to upgrade their SkyWatch HP system will need to return the unit to L-3 Avionics for a software 1.8 revision and Mod "D" hardware update. Modifications will be available beginning mid-October, according to the company.

SkyWatch HP is an active surveillance traffic advisory system that operates as an air-to-air or ground-to-air interrogation device. After receiving replies to its Mode C type interrogations, the SkyWatch system computes the responding aircraft’s range, bearing, relative altitude and closure rate, predicting potential traffic conflicts within a 35 nmi range. Aural traffic alerts are annunciated through the aircraft’s existing audio system and visual targets are displayed using TCAS symbology onto almost any cockpit display.

SkyWatch also features a five-year warranty.

FMI: www.flyskywatch.com, www.l-3avionics.com