Compact, programmable units voice-prompt owners through checklist tasks

By ANN Reporter Juan Jimenez

You know the scenario… we all want to be conscientious pilots, and that means that we always use and follow the checklists. We try to memorize the items, but with lack of use comes forgetfulness. We go through the trouble of creating our own checklist and binding them in plastic, or we buy one of the myriad printed checklists available for just about every aircraft in creation. Even then, the list gets misplaced, someone forgets to put it back in the aircraft after using it, and when we are faced with the real emergency, we forget we even have it. Any one of these scenarios can result in mistakes and omissions that can lead to unintended and possibly tragic consequences.

A young entrepreneur, Mr. Paul Nicholas, saw these issues and recognized that there was an opportunity to offer a product to enhance safety by automating checklists and adding such features as voice prompts. He developed a product, and formed a company, Checklist Technologies, to market his invention.

The result is a product lineup of five units with a combination of text, speech and cabin pressure warning features, as well as two types of packaging. Some of the units are STC'd, some are in the process of becoming so, and they range in price from $999 to $4,499.

The model EC-TO is a unit that displays four lines of text-only information for Normal, Emergency, Abnormal and Custom Checks. An aircraft call sign or model number is displayed to indicate the correct checklist is in use.  A "page header" shows the list of checks being performed at all times. "A line completed" shows no checks have been inadvertently skipped. Two check lines are displayed for challenge and response of checks. The "next check due" is displayed as a prompt. All this is programmable from any PC with AEC software installed, and includes a Checklist Editor and Checklist Simulator program. Password protection ensures authorized changes. Two optional buttons located on the control wheel will control "normal" and "emergency" checks. This unit is priced at $999 and can be either panel-mounted with a form 337 or portable.

The model EC-TS has all the features of the EC-TO, but in addition it has text-to-speech capability which is fully programmable using any PC with AEC software. Incorporated is an abbreviation function that allows abbreviations to be used and full words to be pronounced. The audio output can be connected to the aircraft's audio system. This model also includes the Log function for recording Date and Time of completed checks, allowing the user to download this data to a computer for printout. This unit is priced at $1,299 and as with the EC-TO, can also be either panel-mounted with a form 337 or portable.

The model EC-APWS combines the features of the EC-TS and adds an Altitude Pressurization Warning System that meets the CASA requirements for an Australian TSO, which has already been applied for. The pressurization warning lets the crew know when cabin pressure exceeds 10,000 feet with a yellow caution light that glows continuously, as well as a verbal warning that is routed through the aircraft audio system when installed. If the cabin pressure is allowed to reach 12,000 feet, a flashing red warning light accompanied by a 95-decibel horn and continuous warning will be heard from the audio system. The checklist will then automatically display your programmed Pressurization Failure checklist. The altitude requirements can also be custom selected. This unit is priced at $1,499.

Two additional models, the ISS-TS and ISS-AP, perform the same functions as the EC-TS and EC-APWS, but separate the checklist controls from the display. The controls are packaged into a 2-1/4 round format panel mount unit, and the display case size is reduced down to the size of the display only. These two units are in the process of being STC'd and are priced at $3,999 and $4,499, respectively.

Demos of the unit as well as its PC software are available on the company's website below. Complete specifications and other information are also available on the site.

FMI: www.checklisttechnologies.com