Additional Glass Cockpit Functionality Offered

Cirrus Design Corporation, the acknowledged industry leader in glass cockpits since 2002, today announced the addition of new functionally to the award winning integrated system. Three new options are being added to the Cirrus - Avidyne glass cockpit.

Satellite Datalink Weather

Soon, satellite broadcast datalink weather will be available to be displayed on the 10.4" full-color Avidyne Entegra multi-function display in Cirrus aircraft for operations within the contiguous United States. The new option ensures that Cirrus owners will be able to reap the benefits of continuous weather information including NEXRAD, METAR, AIRMET, SIGMET, TFR and lightning updates. Upon the availability of weather datalink, Cirrus will offer a weather package that combines the benefits of XM Satellite Weather information with the instantaneous lightning detection and identification capability of Stormscope. The two systems work in concert to provide an accurate and timely depiction of convective and other weather actively plus a variety of weather reports in language that is easy to read and understand. Availability of the XMWX option is projected for later this year.

Terrain Awareness and Warning System

The multi-function display in the Cirrus panel already provides shaded topographical information and obstruction data. Now Cirrus owners can add the benefit of an enhanced ground proximity warning system with the Honeywell KGP650 Class C TAWS System (EGPWS). The worldwide terrain database provides nine different audible alerts, for 11 warning conditions. Along with the Cirrus system is a visual enunciator alert and warning capability that is located next to the PFD. A warning message on MFD will appear on the current page to help eliminate the risk of controlled flight into terrain, particularly when the ground is obscured by weather or darkness. Production installation of the option is currently available.

Electronic Approach Plates

With the onset of FAA-approved electronic JeppView approach plates, Cirrus owners are one step closer to becoming the first pilots to truly operate in a paperless cockpit. Called the Cmax, this new feature places the necessary approach information precisely where it should be during the critical phase of flight - on the Entegra10.4" MFD and not in your lap on a knee board. Electronic approach plates can help improve situational awareness since they can be easily called up on the MFD for reference much more quickly and with less distraction than fumbling through paper approach plates. Cirrus will offer the option in production and for retrofit later this year.

"Once we've been supplied with enough retrofit kits for each of the new items, our Authorized Service Centers will begin upgrading MFD in customer-owned aircraft," stated Ian Bentley, vice president of customer relations at Cirrus. "Cirrus has a network of Authorized Service Centers that will perform the upgrades when kits become available", he added.

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com