And Some Versions Will Even Talk You Through It

Think about the close calls you've had in the air. Any pilot worth a plug nickle has had at least one, right? We often define ourselves by the way we handle emergency situations. But no matter how hot-shot a pilot you are, remember the words of your instructor: follow the checklist. The problem can be, checklists are hard to follow when you're engine-out and looking for a place to land.

Now, AEC, an Australian company, has developed a range of new Electronic checklists, the EC-TO (Electronic Checklist-Text Only) that will display Text Only, and the EC-TS (Electronic Checklist-Text to Speech) displays text and turns the written text into speech, leaving the pilot 'hands free', the EC-APWS (Electronic Checklist-Text Speech/with Altitude Pressurization Warning System).

The EC-TS model with an altitude Pressurization warning system. The pressurization warning is able to give the crew warning when cabin pressure exceeds 10,000 feet. A yellow caution light will glow continuously and a verbal warning will also be heard from the audio system (when installed). If the cabin pressure reaches 12,000 feet, a flashing red warning light accompanied by a 95 Db screamer and a continues warning will be heard from the audio system (when installed).

The checklist will automatically display your programmed Pressurization Failure list of Checks ready for completion. The ISS-AP (Electronic Checklist-Integrated Split System), has includes additional features such as multi-display screens and is fully integrated to draw information from machinery or aircraft systems to respond with immediate correction advice.

Code access for pilot identification and date stamping of all completed checks. All units can to be programmed or amended from your personal computer. With two buttons located on the controls the pilot/operator is 'hands free' to control the situation and still access the checks required.

With the advent of modern aircraft and machinery the need for a stand alone and standardized checklist are worth their weight in gold --  even more so when emergency situations could be involved.

FMI: www.airosafe.com.au/main.htm