Archive for April, 2012

Zaon Flight Systems PCAS XRX

Thursday, April 26th, 2012
A New Breed of Collision Avoidance


 

Traffic awareness is everyone’s concern, but so has been the cost of traffic systems, until now. PCAS XRX is the first ever portable, passive, stand-alone collision avoidance system for general aviation to offer direction from within the cockpit.

PCAS™, or Portable Collision Avoidance System, is Zaon’s solution for providing high-quality, low cost traffic information to the general aviation pilot. XRX is our flagship model, providing a complete picture in a simple, easy-to-use device.

PCAS represents our third generation of proven traffic detection technology. XRX is truly a “Plug and Go” device with its built-in antenna system and built-in display.

Features At A Glance

  • “3-D” view Quadrant Direction, 45° increments
  • Instant traffic updates with no delays
  • Tiny, unobtrusive size (3.9” x 3.6” x 2.7”)
  • Completely portable and self-contained
  • Digital range, scalable from 6NM to 1NM
  • Audio voice alerts for threats and advisories are included, with both Headset-Direct™ hookup and in-cabin output
  • Relative altitude, scalable from ±2500 ft to ±500 ft, with ascending/descending indicator
  • Designed for metal, composite or fabric-covered airframes, high- or low-wing
  • Displays top three intruders
  • A built-in altimeter, a built-in compass, and built-in turn/bank and internal thermal sensing provide the highest, real-time accuracy available
  • Built-in directional antenna
  • Menu-driven interface, with selectable aircraft profiles and advanced calibration options
  • Displays the local squawk code, pressure altitude, bank angle, bearing and temperature
  • Integrates with third-party moving map and EFIS systems, including Garmin, Blue Mountain, and others. Read more…
  • An installation upgrade will be available Read more…

So, what can XRX do for you?

  The one that gives directionAn industry first, XRX detects threat aircraft direction from within your cockpit using a cutting-edge, proprietary, self-contained antenna design. With direction, locating and identifying traffic is simple and easy, and traffic information is “three-dimensional”, which means it can be displayed on third-party systems, such as moving map GPS devices. Read more about this below.
Don’t let the tiny size fool youXRX was designed to be placed on the glareshield. Yet despite its incredibly small and self-contained, XRX sacrifices none of the accuracy found in much more expensive, installed systems. The unit is only 3.9” (100mm) wide, 3.6” (93mm) deep, and 2.7” (69mm) tall. The majority of the height is for the enclosed antenna array.

In most cases, the unit sits below the visual line of the propeller, out of the pilot’s line-of-sight and presents useful traffic information in plain sight in front of the pilot. If a different configuration is desired, several options exist. XRX has a 45° mode which allows the unit to be placed on the right side of the glareshield and rotated so that the screen is pointed at the pilot. Another option is a suction-cup mount. See our complete line of PCAS accessories for more information.
“Traffic, front-right, 0.9 miles, 500 feet below and decending” XRX delivers the three “dimensions” of traffic information that pinpoints where traffic is located: direction, range and relative altitude. Armed with this information, you’ll know just where the threats lie. XRX detects and tracks all aircraft in the detection window you specify and displays the information on a built-in, easy-to-read LCD display. The top three threats are displayed using simple visual cues.

For the primary threat, direction is displayed in a compass rose around the range and relative altitude information. The second and third threats are displayed, along with the local heading and relative altitude information. XRX also displays your local  squawk code. Advanced features are included such as visual and audible voice alerts and advisories, an easy-to-use menu interface, and local information. XRX displays “3-D View” quadrant bearing information, as well as relative altitude and range, all from inside the cockpit and without the need for external antenna arrays.
  Operational SimplicityThe easy-to-read LCD display boasts large numerals and EL backlighting for night operation.All parameters are controlled by an easy-to-use menu system: range and altitude settings, type of aircraft, screen options, and more. Flying a pressurized aircraft? XRX includes a pressurized mode for use in a pressurized cockpit with no external static line connections needed. The unit also monitors aircraft bus voltage and host transponder operations and is powered through aircraft power (12-40 V compatible).
Flexible detection window and intelligent alertsXRX sets up a “bubble of awareness” around you and reports any traffic in this window. The size of this window is easily defined using a simple menu that sets the range and altitude maximums. The detection window has a maximum range of 6 NM and altitude of ±2500 feet. PCAS utilizes both visual and audible alerts if the traffic gets close enough to become a threat.

Level Headset Voice Beeps Action to take
Advisory  ——————— 2 Attempt to make visual contact with threat
Alert   ——————— 4 Make visual contact and avoid

The most important job of any collision avoidance system is to tell you what is a threat, and quietly provide information on traffic that is not a threat. An important distinction with PCAS is the difference between traffic detection and traffic alerts. XRX will detect any aircraft in the detection window you specify, but will alert you to traffic that has become a threat based on the aircraft’s relative altitude, range, track over time, and ascent/descent status.
Reliable accuracyFollowing in the footsteps of previous models, the traffic information accuracy is the best in the industry. Traffic accuracy is 0.2 NM on average for range, ±200 ft for altitude (defined by TSO standards set for transponder encoders), and ±22° for direction. XRX also displays your local squawk code and pressure altitude for monitoring your transponder encoder output, as well as bearing. XRX includes many built-in sensors for razor-sharp accuracy, including a pressure altimeter for relative altitude accuracy, a solid-state 16-point compass for bearing accuracy, a solid-state attitude and bank sensor for bearing accuracy, thermal monitors and overtemp protection for accuracy in any environment.
Plays well with othersGet XRX traffic on your GPS or EFIS system, including Garmin, Blue Mountain, Grand Rapids, AnywhereMap, Hangar B-17, PCAvionics, and many more. Introducing a simple way to get traffic on your moving map display. A simple hookup to your PCAS™ XRX™ directly to your system and you’re off and running. Traffic alerts, popups, voice alerts, the reliability and accuracy of XRX overlayed right onto the screen of an old friend. Get the precision and all-over coverage that only XRX can provide, directly on the screen you’re already looking at.
Everything you need is included!The PCAS XRX traffic system is a complete package and comes with everything you need to simply “Plug and Go”, including:

  • Dash-mount unit with integrated antenna
  • Cigarette-lighter adaptor
  • Headset-Direct™Audio cable
  • Velcro mounting dots
  • Silicone “gripper” feet
  • 75-page Owner’s Manual
  • Quick Guide
  • Hard carrying case

 

 

Zaon PCAS systems: the best portable collision avoidance systems on the planet. The first to give relative altitude. And now, the only device with quadrant direction. Why would you fly without it?

If you would like to know more about the Zaon Flight Systems PCAS XRX please call Spirit Avionics at 614-237-4271 or email sales@spiritavionics.com.

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Guardian Avionics AERO 454

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

The AERO 454 can wirelessly transmit your GPS location to your iPad or Android Bluetooth enabled tablet. No
more worries about lost GPS signal due to banking, heated windshields and passengers in the back of the
cabin asking “Are we there Yet?”.

The 454 Model integrated with Garmin GPS receivers (430, 530, GNS650, GNS750, G900 and G1000) and
Bendix King KLN89, KLN90B, and KLN94.  It will enable up to THREE OCCUPANTS to receive aircraft GPS data
via Bluetooth on their portable devices to monitor their location (Altitude, latitude and longitude) using apps like
Flight Guide IEFB, Garmin (My-Cast), Foreflight, Wing X, Jepp View, and Google Maps.  It works with Any APP
that uses the Apple Standard GPS location Proto-call.

In addition, using the Flight Guide IEFB app, you will be able to receive your flight plan from your Garmin onto
your iPad (See Video).  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6eOOltVI1Eo

The Model 454 device is also designed to detect, measure, and provide alerts to the crew of reciprocating
engine type aircraft before the cockpit level of carbon monoxide (CO) reaches a critical level. In addition it gives
Cabin altitude warning at 10K, 12.5K and 14K.

Secifications:

  • Input Power: 14/28 V DC
  • CO Level: 10 – 999 PPM
  • BLUETOOTH enabled: GPS data transmitted to tablets supported by Apple iOS.
  • Power Usage: Less than 1 Watt
  • Temp Range: -20 deg C to 70 deg C
  • Dimensions: 4.5” L X 1.625”W in x 1.25” H   
  • Humidity range: 5 % to 95 % RH (non-condensating)  
  • Circuit Breaker: 2 Amp  
  • Design Meets TSO-C48a  
  • Weight: 4 Oz  
  • CO Sensor Tested to 25,000 Ft and no effect to 40,000 Ft
  • Tone generator for headsets
  • RS-232 output
  • Internal fan for optimum CO sensing
  • Units are100 % tested

If you would like to know more about the Aero 454 or would like one installed, contact Spirit Avionics at 614.237.4271 or email sales@spiritavionics.com.

 

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WAMCO Brings NVIS Compliance to the iPad with SafeNight i20

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

After years of rigorous military use of its proven SafeNight material technology, Wamco announces the launch of the latest NVIS filter product expansion to portable display tablets: the SafeNight i20.

Since tablet display products have made exponential growth into commercial applications, they are now progressively making their way into niche aerospace and defense systems. In fact, the FAA recently granted certification of an iPad as a flight bag to a commercial airline. The obvious cost and performance benefits, combined with intuitive usability, aggressively challenge the value of custom products currently occupying that niche.

The accelerated interest and demand for tablet products has also reached the military at an unprecedented pace. To support this growing industry trend, Wamco has engineered SafeNight i20, a specific product that provides full NVIS compatibility to both iPad and iPad2 products. The SafeNight i20 uses the same polymeric base formulation as the complete SafeNight product line, which has established the industry performance standard for years.

The product provides unequalled color rendering, while addressing the practical challenge of absolute overall energy for the standard iPad display. The material absorptive characteristics have been designed to optimize near infrared absorption, while ensuring an optimal transmission at minimum brightness.

The SafeNight i20 has also been made fully compatible with the touch capability of the iPad. This not only protects the glass from abrasion and spill, but maintains the unparalleled touch performance that is such a key characteristic.

The SafeNight i20 is available in different finishing, supporting the needs of various users’ mounting strategies. It is also available with a selection of high performance optical coatings to satisfy user preferences. The filter is available with or without Wamco’s proprietary “SAFETACK” low surface strength adhesive. The non-stick version will serve users integrating the filter in existing cases or aircraft attachment hardware. The ultra thin profile, 0.012”, will integrate easily with commercially available mounting products. The chemical formulation and processing techniques of the removable SafeNight i20 ensures that the filter can be installed and used in an aircraft vibration environment without additional hardware for the filter. More importantly, the filter can be used mission after mission without degradation or contamination of the iPad’s display surface area.

A keen understanding of light behavior at the quantum level, combined with expertise in material science as well as an in-depth knowledge of optics, without question, has made Wamco the leader in the aerospace and defense industry. Wamco has mastered precise energy management technologies in a broad range of UV, Visible, NIR and Infrared applications.

Established in 1968, Wamco, based in California, is a privately owned company that has grown to become a trusted leading provider of lighting solutions to the aerospace, automotive, and medical markets worldwide.

If you would like to know more about the SafeNight i20 or would like to purchase one, contact Spirit Avionics at 614.237.4271 or email sales@spiritavionics.com .

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