Avionics Update: Sandel terrain awareness system delayed

Sandel Avionics of Vista, Calif., is telling customers that the certification program for its terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) is encountering delays. There are no major problems with the system, but development and incorporation of some additional features are proceeding more slowly than originally anticipated, according to a company official. List price of the system is $34,500. The company was targeting a price of “less than $30,000” when it introduced its TAWS at last year’s NBAA Convention. Sandel’s ST3400 TAWS is a compact, self-contained unit that combines a terrain-warning computer with a 3-ATI color display, two-pointer RMI and a terrain/runway database. The system is being designed to meet FAA class-A TAWS requirements for installation in Part 135 turbine airplanes configured with 10 or more passenger seats. The rules go into effect for new airplanes on March 29 next year and for in-service airplanes on March 29, 2005.