Trilogy ESI-1000 Makes All-Glass Cockpit Possible
L-3 Avionics Systems had more news to announce last week at
AirVenture 2008, in addition to its plan to incorporate synthetic
vision technology on its SmartDeck glass panel syste. The company
also announced the introduction of the Trilogy ESI-1000 Electronic
Standby Instrument, the first solid-state integrated standby system
created specifically for Part 23 aircraft.
Designed as a backup for glass cockpit avionics, Trilogy is
expected to receive certification in early 2009.
"Trilogy is a revolutionary product - a fully integrated AMLCD
standby instrument for general aviation aircraft operators," said
Adrienne Stevens, president of L-3 Avionics Systems. "There are
thousands of glass cockpits flying today with outdated analog
instruments. Trilogy puts all the necessary back-up information --
airspeed, altitude and attitude -- in one place and in a layout
pilots can read easily. It's a tremendous step in safety for modern
cockpits, and it completes the glass layout desired by so
many."
Trilogy replaces the usual standby instruments common in today's
glass cockpit-equipped aircraft by combining attitude, altitude,
airspeed and optional heading data on a clear, 4-by-3 inch Active
Matrix LCD display. The instrument fits easily into a standard
3-ATI mounting cutout. With an integrated air data computer,
solid-state attitude sensor and optional external magnetometer,
Trilogy presents accurate flight information independently of other
systems.
Additionally, using Trilogy in conjunction with a flat panel
display enhances safety by easing the pilot's transition to standby
instruments. The full screen attitude reference with vertical
altitude and airspeed tapes, as well as the optional horizontal
heading tape, mirror the primary system to give pilots a similar
layout by which to control the aircraft. The result is reduced
workload and a short transition to reliable information.
An ambient light sensor is integrated for automatic brightness
control on both the screen and keyboard. Trilogy units will be
calibrated to 400 knots and 55,000 feet, with the ability to store
aircraft configuration and options at time of installation. The
model will be available through OEMs as well as for retrofit to
modernize both glass and traditional cockpit configurations. Exact
pricing will be announced closer to certification.
Trilogy was developed from L-3 Avionics Systems' advanced
knowledge base and performance in strapdown attitude determination,
which has made the company a leader in electronic standby
instrument systems for high-end aircraft. Now, Trilogy makes this
technology a smart and affordable option for all general aviation
cockpit pilots.