Avionics Update: Socata picks Honeywell FIS

Socata plans to equip all new TBM 700 turboprops and Trinidad piston singles with Honeywell Bendix/King flight information service (FIS) hardware, bringing real-time graphic and text weather information to the cockpits of equipped airplanes for any destination in the U.S. According to Dan Barks, director of general aviation marketing for Honeywell, FIS will be a significant factor in improving general aviation safety. To back up the claim, Barks pointed to a recent General Accounting Office study that found weather is the leading cause of GA accidents. Basic text weather through FIS is provided to pilots at no charge, while other levels of service, including graphic weather, are available for a monthly fee. Weather information is transmitted to the cockpit via a Bendix/King KDR 510 data radio and displayed on KMD 550 or 850 multifunction cockpit displays. The FIS ground network consists of more than 200 transmitter stations.