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.