Wed, Aug 06, 2008
Maker Of RC Allen Instruments To Market LCD Horizon, Battery
Backup
by ANN Correspondent Larry Stencel
Jim Turner, General Manager of Kelly Manufacturing Co/RC Allen
Instruments, displayed the company’s new RCA 2600 Series
Digital Horizon at AirVenture 2008. This all electronic attitude
indicator is designed to be a direct replacement for any 3 1/8 inch
electric attitude instrument. It also meets the replacement
requirements for electrically driven turn and bank "rate"
indicators as listed in FAA Advisory Circular AC 91-75, "Attitude
Indicator."
First seen at the 2008 Sun-N-Fun Fly-In, the all electronic
attitude indicator is notable for it’s light weight of about
one pound and its bright LCD display. Totally digital, it operates
over 360 degrees of pitch and roll and on 9 to 32 volt input power.
Both 2 ¼" and 3 1/8" versions will be offered. The smaller
size instrument will not have an inclinometer which is required by
AC 91-75 if it replaces a standard turn and bank indicator. One can
be mounted separately on the panel nearby as delineated in the FAA
Advisory Circular, however .
Turner stated that Kelly Manufacturing will initially offer the
instrument for sale to the amateur homebuilt and LSA market while
it concurrently works toward FAA TSO approval for the certificated
aircraft market. When TSO approved, the RCA 2600 will be eligible
to replace the turn and bank "rate" instrument found in most
airplanes with a second all electronic backup pitch and roll
attitude instrument. Internal software will accommodate different
panel mounting angles.
Turner stated that release to the amateur homebuilt market is
imminent and TSO approval will follow in three to six months.
Concurrently under development is the RC Allen Emergency Standby
Power "ESP" remote battery backup. As an emergency power source for
the new attitude indicator or existing electric instruments, this
compact design will provide about one hour of emergency power and
has a separate panel mounted status light.
During a demonstration at the Kelly Manufacturing booth at
AirVenture, Turner stated that there was wide customer demand for a
simpler all electronic horizon for use as either a backup or
primary horizon instrument. He said that many customers simply did
not need or want the more expensive EFIS systems. "Because of its
light weight, the RCA 2600 is perfect for the Light Sport and
Homebuilt market," he said.
At both Sun 'N Fun and AirVenture, Kelly Manufacturing was
taking names on an interest list which gave interested customers a
preferential price as well as early delivery once the necessary
approvals are received by the company.
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