Maker Of RC Allen Instruments To Market LCD Horizon, Battery Backup

by ANN Correspondent Larry Stencel

Jim Turner, General Manager of Kelly Manufacturing Co/RC Allen Instruments, displayed the company’s new RCA 2600 Series Digital Horizon at AirVenture 2008. This all electronic attitude indicator is designed to be a direct replacement for any 3 1/8 inch electric attitude instrument. It also meets the replacement requirements for electrically driven turn and bank "rate" indicators as listed in FAA Advisory Circular AC 91-75, "Attitude Indicator."

First seen at the 2008 Sun-N-Fun Fly-In, the all electronic attitude indicator is notable for it’s light weight of about one pound and its bright LCD display. Totally digital, it operates over 360 degrees of pitch and roll and on 9 to 32 volt input power. Both 2 ¼" and 3 1/8" versions will be offered. The smaller size instrument will not have an inclinometer which is required by AC 91-75 if it replaces a standard turn and bank indicator. One can be mounted separately on the panel nearby as delineated in the FAA Advisory Circular, however .

Turner stated that Kelly Manufacturing will initially offer the instrument for sale to the amateur homebuilt and LSA market while it concurrently works toward FAA TSO approval for the certificated aircraft market. When TSO approved, the RCA 2600 will be eligible to replace the turn and bank "rate" instrument found in most airplanes with a second all electronic backup pitch and roll attitude instrument. Internal software will accommodate different panel mounting angles.

Turner stated that release to the amateur homebuilt market is imminent and TSO approval will follow in three to six months.

Concurrently under development is the RC Allen Emergency Standby Power "ESP" remote battery backup. As an emergency power source for the new attitude indicator or existing electric instruments, this compact design will provide about one hour of emergency power and has a separate panel mounted status light.

During a demonstration at the Kelly Manufacturing booth at AirVenture, Turner stated that there was wide customer demand for a simpler all electronic horizon for use as either a backup or primary horizon instrument. He said that many customers simply did not need or want the more expensive EFIS systems. "Because of its light weight, the RCA 2600 is perfect for the Light Sport and Homebuilt market," he said.

At both Sun 'N Fun and AirVenture, Kelly Manufacturing was taking names on an interest list which gave interested customers a preferential price as well as early delivery once the necessary approvals are received by the company.

FMI: www.kellymfg.com