Astronautics new EFIS/EICAS System receives FAA TSO Authorization

Dec. 8, 2010
MILWAUKEE, 8 Dec. 2010. Astronautics Corporation of America announced that it has received Technical Standard Order Authorization (TSOA) approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the company's  6  by 8 inch electronic flight instrument (EFI) display, control panel (CP), and engine data concentrator unit (EDCU). Variations of the equipment are being offered as an EFI System (EFIS) and engine instrument & crew alerting system (EICAS) on civil and military aircraft around the world including C-130, L-100, and helicopter and trainer aircraft. 
Posted by John McHaleMILWAUKEE, 8 Dec. 2010. Astronautics Corporation of America announced that it has received Technical Standard Order Authorization (TSOA) approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the company's6by 8 inch electronic flight instrument (EFI) display, control panel (CP), and engine data concentrator unit (EDCU).Variations of the equipment are being offered as an EFI System (EFIS) and engine instrument & crew alerting system (EICAS) on civil and military aircraft around the world including C-130, L-100, and helicopter and trainer aircraft. The units comply with the latest RTCA DO-160F standard requirements to meet applicable environmental conditions. The system is currently being shipped in support of C-130 avionics upgrade programs around the world.The EFI display uses Astronautics' light-emitting diode (LED)night vision- compliant backlight with avionics grade active matrix liquid crystal (AMLCD) glass.The resulting new glass cockpit installations have exceptional viewing angles for improved human factor considerations. The EFI uses an advanced Intel Atom processor, and it can accept both analog and digital interfaces along with a video input via RS-170 with provisions for a digital video interface (DVI) video or a second analog video input via RS-170, S-video, or composite input.The EFI display, available with different bezel configurations, has a small mechanical package allowing it to accommodate difficult instrument panel mounting situations.Astronautics currently utilizes a six-display configuration in C-130 retrofits for different customers.Depending on discrete input strapping or pilot selection or both, the display functionality can be primary flight, navigation, system status, video, or EICAS.The system uses the EDCU to convert analog engine data to digital data that is provided to the EFI for display on the EICAS.The CP is used to select the information that is displayed on the navigation display, as well as set the altitude minimums, barometric corrections, selected altitude, and gross weight."A benefit of this display’s flexibility," says Dan Wade, vice president of business development, "is that a customer will only need one part number to service all aspects of the displays in the cockpit.Having one TSOed part number will save the customer substantially on operational costs, as the customer will need only one part number for their rotable spares pool."

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Military Aerospace, create an account today!