IS&S, Garmin, Chelton Among Those Tasked With Bringing "Avio NG" To Reality

At a press conference Monday afternoon, representatives with Eclipse Aviation announced a team of avionics suppliers is working with the Albuquerque, NM-based planemaker to develop the next-generation version of the Avio integrated avionics suite for use in the Eclipse 500 VLJ... and quite the team it is.

Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc. (IS&S), Chelton Flight Systems, Garmin International, Honeywell, and PS Engineering, Inc. have partnered to produce "Avio NG," a significantly improved version of the Eclipse 500's original Avio Total Aircraft Integration system. As Aero-News reported, Eclipse terminated its agreement with original Avio developer Avidyne late last month.

Eclipse has been developing Avio NG for many months, and the upgraded system is scheduled for production and delivery this summer. Eclipse aims to retrofit all Eclipse 500 aircraft with Avio NG by the end of 2007, ensuring a homogeneous Eclipse 500 fleet. Full systems integration should be complete by the second quarter of 2008, according to Eclipse (see chart).

The company states it will honor prices for existing customers, despite the added costs associated with developing the Avio NG system. Eclipse Aviation president and CEO Vern Raburn stressed he intends to hold future prices at current levels, as well, if at all possible.

Designed by Eclipse specifically for the E-500 VLJ, Avio NG provides integral, redundant computer systems and advanced data and power distribution systems. Avio NG applies integration technology to the entire aircraft -- including avionics, engine operation, fuel system, flaps, landing gear, cabin pressure and temperature.

The cockpit (shown above) features two PFDs and one MFD, which are controlled by selection keys and knobs on the displays or by a keyboard at the pilot position. The PFD and MFD provide the pilot with high-resolution display of all flight parameters, engine and system performance data, and total system control.

Those involved state Avio NG delivers significant enhancements providing next generation digital avionics with demonstrated airline reliability and systems capability unparalleled in the very light jet segment. These enhancements include:

• Improved reliability achieved through:
• • EFIS software that has been similarly deployed as level A software
  • Higher Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) rates for Primary Flight Display
    (PFD) and Multi-function Display (MFD) hardware
  • Use of hardware systems that have been used primarily in Part 25 airplanes
  • Improved systems architecture and design
• 768 x 1024 resolution PFD displays, and a larger 1440 x 900 resolution MFD display
• Enhanced digital audio and Communication Navigation System (CNS) functionality
• Improved growth capability for future avionics functionality

"We are excited to partner with such highly-reputable avionics companies by our side," said Raburn. "These suppliers have proven to be great partners to premier companies in almost every segment of aviation. Their established track records and superior capabilities will allow us to provide our customers with the Avio we always promised. We are looking forward to a long and successful relationship with each company."

Eclipse stresses the air transport-quality components provided by the new suppliers will enable the planemaker to provide avionics functionality that significantly reduces pilot workload by simplifying tasks, generating useful information, managing systems and assisting with troubleshooting.

Changes to the Avio user interface will be minimal, providing customers, pilots and mechanics with a seamless transition that will require little to no new training. Eclipse Aviation will continue to serve as the systems integrator for the overall Avio NG system.

Replacing the Avidyne displays, IS&S will provide hardware and select software for the Eclipse 500 PFDs and MFD for Avio NG. IS&S is a high-performance international avionics supplier to civil, military, business and commercial markets. Prior major contracts awarded to IS&S have included the flat panel display systems for the Boeing B737, B757, B747 and B767; legacy Cessna Citation aircraft; and the Pilatus PC-12.

"IS&S is honored to be part of the revolutionary Eclipse 500 program," said IS&S chairman and CEO Geoffrey Hedrick. "We look forward to delivering reliable and cost effective displays to Eclipse Aviation, allowing the Avio Total Aircraft Integration concept to become a reality on the Eclipse 500."

Additional new suppliers for Avio NG include:

• Chelton Flight Systems -- Avio NG will also include a flight management system (FMS) provided by Chelton Flight Systems. This FMS has been proven in multiple aircraft installations starting more than 6 years ago and now has flight guidance algorithms for all of the ARINC 424 published path segments. The core of the FMS has been written and certified to level A standards in prior releases. The guidance functionality provided includes GPS-based lateral aircraft control, along with vertical navigation (VNAV). The Chelton FMS will be integrated into Avio NG, presenting the pilot with a consistent user interface. This full-featured RTCA/DO-229C capable flight management system includes capability to create, save, store, recall, reverse, and edit flight plans by waypoint or airway, the user will be able to create custom waypoints, add or delete waypoints from an active route, specify parallel track operation, and more.

• Garmin International -- Dual remote mounted Mode S Enhanced Surveillance transponders are provided by Garmin’s GTX 33 and GTX 33D. These IFREclipse Aviation Announces Next Generation Avio 3-3-3-3 certified, Level 2, solid-state Mode S transponders offer expanded capability including optional diversity capability.
• Honeywell -- Avio NG uses the new Honeywell Primus Apex KTR 2280 Multi Mode Digital Radios (MMDR), consisting of digital VHF Navigation receivers (VOR, LOC, GS), and an optional ADF receiver. Each MMDR includes one transmitter and six receivers, capable of 8.33/25 kHz channel spacing operation and simultaneous monitoring of two VHF communication frequencies. The KTR 2280 is seamlessly integrated into Avio NG, providing users with radio management capability through the PFDs and MFD. Honeywell also provides safety sensors for Avio NG including the industry standard RDR 2000 Weather Radar System and the optional KGP 560 Terrain Awareness System (TAWS).
• PS Engineering – The digitally controlled audio system for Avio NG is provided using PS Engineering’s PMA500 remote audio control system. The PMA500 interfaces with Avio NG for radio and navigation audio selection, intercom and mode control, and has an integrated marker beacon receiver. The audio control panel includes split transmit capability, hi-fi stereo in-flight entertainment inputs, and IntelliVOX, a patented squelch protocol that completely eliminates manual intercom squelch, adjusting dynamically to cockpit sound conditions.

According to Raburn, the company will continue to install Avidyne-sourced Avio systems on aircraft delivered through the first half of 2007. Aircraft produced in the second half will be equipped with the NG system.

Raburn added the company will have more to say in a few weeks on the impact Avio NG will have on its efforts to gain an FAA production certificate --  a necessary requirement for the company to keep its planned delivery target of 1000 aircraft in 2008.

FMI: www.eclipseaviation.com, www.innovative-ss.com, www.garmin.com, www.honeywell.com, www.cheltonflightsystems.com, www.ps-engineering.com