Sun, Oct 25, 2009
ABS Avionics Receives Amended STC For COTS Avionics
Modernization Program
ASB received FAA approval to amend its Supplemental Type
Certificate (STC #ST01162LA) last week, allowing ASB to add a dual
digital Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) to its existing
5-display Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Avionics Modernization
Program (AMP) suite.
The amended STC replaces obsolete analog flight
director/autopilot systems prevalent in existing Lockheed L-382 and
C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
The AFCS, based on Honeywell’s Primus 1000 product line,
will complement ASB’s previously FAA certified Honeywell
Control Display System for Retrofit (CDS/R) Electronics Flight
Instrument System (EFIS) and ASB developed Engine Indicating and
Crew Alerting System (EICAS). With the latest amendment, the ASB
AMP replaces all existing analog flight director displays and
autopilot components, substantially reducing Line Replaceable
Unit (LRU) and wire count. The high Mean Time Between Failure
(MTBF), low acquisition costs, and auto-flight characteristic
improvements will help in reducing Life Cycle Costs (LCC) and
improve the functionality, safety, and useful life of legacy
L-382/C-130 airframes.
“Improved flight characteristics include automatic
altitude select, more accurate altitude and course capture. It also
is able to maintained desired altitude during all flap cycles
within 25 feet," said Jose Hernandez, General Manager of Tepper
Aviation. "The system includes four functions of vertical and
horizontal navigation packaged in a single highly visible and user
friendly unit. The flight control system has been tested on all
facets of instrument flying at a success rate of 100%. The improved
functionality of the system will increase the useful life of legacy
L382 aircraft into the indefinite future.”
ASB’s AMP also includes dual digital Air Data Computers
(ADC), triple Inertial Reference Sensors (IRS), dual Global
Positioning System (GPS) based Flight Management Systems (FMS),
dual Communication/Navigation/Surveillance (CNS), TCAS-II, EGPWS,
Weather Radar, and replaces the existing pitot/static sensors on
earlier serial numbered aircraft. Also available are optional
Advanced File Graphics Servers (AFGS) and dorsal mounted HF Shunt
Antenna. The architecture of the CDS/R-AFCS allows for future
growth and alternate CNS, FMS, INS, and radar selections to
accommodate civil or Government applications.
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