Blue Mountain Avionics and Lancair Avionics recently successfully completed a series of flight tests on the BMA EFIS/One and have signed an agreement for Lancair to sell Blue Mountain Avionics’ products to its customers. Lancair Avionics will offer support as well as unique services, wiring options and other hardware related to the installation of BMA equipment in Lancair Aircraft.

The Blue Mountain Avionics' EFIS/One is a state-of-the-art, complete glass cockpit designed specifically for experimental aircraft. The two companies have been working together for several months to refine and correct issues found by Lancair with the EFIS/One AHRS (Attitude Heading Reference System) in early flight tests. "Lancair raised the bar for Blue Mountain Avionics after they uncovered some issues, occurring at higher flight speeds, relating to the AHRS system.

Resolution of these issues was both time consuming and technically very challenging but this has resulted in a significantly improved and accurate AHRS system" states Blue Mountain Avionics' General Manager, Malcolm Thomson. All AHRS systems, including mechanical TSO'ed gyros, are susceptible to errors under certain flight conditions. Normally these gyroscopic anomalies are not seen during regular flight but they are there and can be demonstrated if you are aware of them.

“Lancair was extremely helpful in providing the high speed aircraft and test pilot, Peter Stiles, necessary to replicate maneuvers that highlight the weaknesses of any AHRS” states Thomson. “Kirk and Peter's combined experience with other systems gave them the skills required to really put the EFIS/One through its paces.”

Kirk Hammersmith, Manager of Lancair Avionics says "Completing our flight test successfully is no easy challenge for an EFIS vendor. We are extremely pleased that Blue Mountain Avionics has been able to correct earlier issues and demonstrate a system capable of passing our rigorous tests. Their AHRS system meets or exceeds standards normally associated with higher end equipment. The Lancair flight tests have proven that the EFIS/One AHRS system is ready for the high speed aircraft that Lancair sells.”

FMI: www.lancair.com, www.bluemountainavionics.com