There's an Epic Cockpit in There, You Know
Honeywell is visibly pleased that its Primus Epic(R) integrated
avionics system has received its first Federal Aviation
Administration approval under a Type Certificate, issued Thursday
for Gulfstream's G550 ultra-long-range business jet. [See separate
story in Aero-News].
"Certification of the G550's integrated cockpit is the
culmination of one of the largest design efforts ever undertaken in
the field of avionics, and it marks the beginning of a new period
in which pilots will use electronic displays and cursor control
devices in place of traditional dials, knobs and switches," said
John Todd, Director of Gulfstream Programs, Honeywell Business,
Regional and General Aviation Avionics.
Gulfstream's PlaneView(TM) cockpit for the G550, based on
Honeywell's Primus Epic integrated avionics system, drives four
10-by-13-inch liquid crystal displays in a point-and-click,
windows-type environment.
"Primus Epic's architecture offers far more integration, more
functions and a more intuitive human/machine interface than any
previous system, resulting in greatly improved situational
awareness and safety," said Todd.
The large landscape flat panels can present moveable navigation
maps, weather, terrain, traffic, and real-time video along with the
required horizon displays and aircraft operational information.
"The certification of the PlaneView cockpit and Primus Epic
clearly places Gulfstream and Honeywell in the position of leading
the industry in avionics and cockpit design," said Mike Mena, G550
Program Director, Gulfstream. Gulfstream is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of General Dynamics.
The first G550 customer, a large international corporation, will
take delivery of its G550 in September.
Honeywell Suffused Throughout G550
Other Honeywell products on the G550 include the RE220
auxiliary power unit (APU), environmental control system, cabin
pressurization control system with new thrust recovery outflow
valve (TROV) and lighting.
The APU is a turbine engine that provides pressurized air and
electrical power for starting the main engines and running aircraft
accessories.
The TROV recovers wasted energy by re-using air released from
the cabin outflow valve, which controls cabin pressurization. By
directing this air into the free air stream, the system boosts
takeoff performance, speed, fuel efficiency and range.