Wed, Jul 28, 2004
Additional Glass Cockpit Functionality Offered
Cirrus Design
Corporation, the acknowledged industry leader in glass cockpits
since 2002, today announced the addition of new functionally to the
award winning integrated system. Three new options are being added
to the Cirrus - Avidyne glass cockpit.
Satellite Datalink Weather
Soon, satellite broadcast datalink weather will be available to
be displayed on the 10.4" full-color Avidyne Entegra multi-function
display in Cirrus aircraft for operations within the contiguous
United States. The new option ensures that Cirrus owners will be
able to reap the benefits of continuous weather information
including NEXRAD, METAR, AIRMET, SIGMET, TFR and lightning updates.
Upon the availability of weather datalink, Cirrus will offer a
weather package that combines the benefits of XM Satellite Weather
information with the instantaneous lightning detection and
identification capability of Stormscope. The two systems work in
concert to provide an accurate and timely depiction of convective
and other weather actively plus a variety of weather reports in
language that is easy to read and understand. Availability of the
XMWX option is projected for later this year.
Terrain Awareness and Warning System
The multi-function display in the Cirrus panel already provides
shaded topographical information and obstruction data. Now Cirrus
owners can add the benefit of an enhanced ground proximity warning
system with the Honeywell KGP650 Class C TAWS System (EGPWS). The
worldwide terrain database provides nine different audible alerts,
for 11 warning conditions. Along with the Cirrus system is a visual
enunciator alert and warning capability that is located next to the
PFD. A warning message on MFD will appear on the current page to
help eliminate the risk of controlled flight into terrain,
particularly when the ground is obscured by weather or darkness.
Production installation of the option is currently available.
Electronic Approach Plates
With the onset of FAA-approved electronic JeppView approach
plates, Cirrus owners are one step closer to becoming the first
pilots to truly operate in a paperless cockpit. Called the Cmax,
this new feature places the necessary approach information
precisely where it should be during the critical phase of flight -
on the Entegra10.4" MFD and not in your lap on a knee board.
Electronic approach plates can help improve situational awareness
since they can be easily called up on the MFD for reference much
more quickly and with less distraction than fumbling through paper
approach plates. Cirrus will offer the option in production and for
retrofit later this year.
"Once we've been supplied with enough retrofit kits for each of
the new items, our Authorized Service Centers will begin upgrading
MFD in customer-owned aircraft," stated Ian Bentley, vice president
of customer relations at Cirrus. "Cirrus has a network of
Authorized Service Centers that will perform the upgrades when kits
become available", he added.
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