TruTrak, Advanced Flight Systems Form ATS To Manufacture Avionics For The Experimental And LSA Market

A marriage between autopilot and backup flight instrument maker TruTrack and EFIS and AOA system manufacturer Advance Flight Systems has resulted in the formation of a new company, ATS.

TruTrak and AFS will combine resources in order to enhance their renowned abilities and to continue their development of cutting edge products in the experimental and light-sport markets. The principle owners of both companies, Andrew Barker, Rob Hickman, and Jim Younkin, will work closely together to ensure that ATS offers the best products on the market while maintaining competitive prices. “We are very excited about what the future holds for ATS,” said Andrew Barker, Chief Operating Officer of TruTrak. “This partnership will afford two great companies the opportunity to develop and offer even more amazing products by combining our talents and resources toward a common goal.”

TruTrak was founded in 1999 by Jim Younkin and Chuck Bilbe, and set out to design the first general aviation digital autopilot. While developing a complete line of digital autopilot products, TruTrak became the number one seller of autopilots in the experimental market. TruTrak designed a special autopilot for the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer in 2005, and is currently working yet another special system for the Solar Impulse HB SIB aircraft. TruTrak is also known for their development of a more affordable and simpler concept in backup flight instruments, as well as their excellence in customer service.

Rob Hickman, an electrical engineer with software expertise, founded AFS in 1999. The company became well-respected manufacturers of one of the most popular engine monitoring systems available for experimental aircraft. AFS continued to improve their engine and airframe monitoring systems, and in 2004 added patented AOA technology to their product catalog.  Rob and Advanced were featured in the October 2004 issue of Sport Aviation Magazine. In 2006 AFS added a complete EFIS with AHRS. Since then, AFS has worked on developing the most complete EFIS system available.

“Partnering with TruTrak is going to allow us to offer more product and better serve customers,” said Rob Hickman, Chief Executive Officer of AFS.  “We are looking forward to all the wonderful things that can be done as these two market leaders join forces.”

The newly introduced ATS will announce their first products at the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI, July 23-29, 2012. ATS has manufactured a VHF Comm radio in collaboration with Walter Dittel Avionik out of Germany. This small, lightweight radio is designed with full remote interface specifically for the Advanced 5000 series EFIS system.  The radio is currently undergoing FCC testing and should be shipping in the third quarter of 2012.

FMI: http://atsinc.aero/