De Havilland Canada partners with Universal Avionics to develop avionics upgrade for Dash 8 100 and 200 aircraft

CALGARY, Alberta - De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC) in Calgary, Alberta, announced the development of a new avionics solution for the Dash 8 100 and 200 aircraft. In collaboration with Universal Avionics in Tucson, Ariz., the upgraded system will feature the customized Universal InSight avionics suite, designed to enhance navigation capabilities and improve safety. The upgrade will be available to operators seeking to modernize their Dash 8 fleets.

Jean-Philippe Cote, Vice President of Programs and Business Improvement at De Havilland Canada, emphasized the significance of the upgrade. "This upgrade will ensure that these rugged and reliable aircraft will be flying for many years to come," he said.

The avionics solution, developed in partnership with Universal Avionics and JANA Inc., is set to provide pilots with enhanced situational awareness, making it an effective choice for current operators. The certification of the new avionics suite is expected in the first half of 2026, with Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS named as the program's launch customer.

The Universal InSight flight display system will replace the existing CRT displays with five high-resolution LCD screens, improving both synthetic vision and digital engine indication. The new system reduces weight, further enhancing the aircraft's performance. The avionics upgrade addresses the need for replacing aging components, offering a reliable solution for Dash 8 100 and 200 operators.