Owners of Falcon 900s have a new option for a modern NextGen-capable flight deck: Chicago Jet’s soon-to-be approved InSight Display System, which has received a supplemental type certificate (STC) number from the FAA, in preparation for full STC approval in early 2019. The company also has developed the Pro-Link dual integrated FMS, which adds NextGen capabilities to Pro Line 4-equipped business jets. Chicago Jet is offering live demos of its 900 five-display InSight flight deck and showing the Pro-Link at Booth 3378.
The Falcon 900 STC, and soon a similar approval for the Falcon 50, is for installation of four Universal Avionics EFI-1040 InSight displays. “We are moving forward with a four-display option at this time in order to get the InSight cockpit upgrade STC approved and available to the operators,” said Chicago Jet president Mike Mitera. A fifth InSight display will soon be certified, to replace the original engine indicating system, and this is operating in the Falcon 900 demonstrator.
The impetus for the Falcon 50/900 upgrade was not only to offer owners a lower-cost new flight deck than is currently available, but also to incorporate NextGen capabilities. These include synthetic vision, according to Chicago Jet, “advanced mapping capability, electronic charts, frequency management, and broadcast weather.” The InSight system can interface with existing components such as attitude and heading sensors, air data computers, radars, traffic systems, radios, and autopilots, and existing TCAS 7.1 and ADS-B systems are not affected by the STC. Included in the upgrade are digital audio control panels, LED glareshield lights and overhead panel backlighting, and ATC safety voice approval.
The Pro-Link FMS upgrade future-proofs Pro Line 4-equipped jets by adding all the NextGen capabilities that exist now and that are on the near horizon, without the need to upgrade displays. The upgrade includes dual Universal Avionics FMSs and the Pro-Link system.
These capabilities include LPV approaches, controller pilot data link (CPDLC) digital clearances with domestic U.S. data comm and push-to-load functionality, FANS 1/A+ oceanic, and European ATN-B1. The en route Data Comm service in the U.S. begins next month at Indianapolis Center, according to Chicago Jet. ATN-B1 (Aeronautical Telecommunications Network) is already operating in Europe above FL285, and this is similar to en route Data Comm and includes push-to-load.
There are two benefits to push-to-load, Mitera explained. One is that when receiving a digital clearance (DCL) on the ground, the clearance can instantly be loaded into the FMS without having to re-type it manually. In the air, push-to-load enables pilots to load an ATC instruction directly into the FMS, again without having to manually enter it and also without having to talk to the controller on the radio. For U.S. pilots flying in Europe, this is particularly helpful when the controller isn’t a native English speaker and also when receiving an instruction with a European 8.33 MHz frequency, which has more digits that could easily be misinterpreted during a voice radio call.
The Pro-Link dual FMS upgrade is slated for certification first on the Gulfstream G200, then the Falcon 50/50EX and 2000/2000EX, followed by other Pro Line 4-equipped jets.
Some NextGen upgrades currently on offer for these aircraft don’t include all the same features, such as ATN-B1, according to Mitera. “We noticed an increasing awareness by the operators of aircraft equipped with Pro Line 4 avionics that a comprehensive upgrade solution for NextGen compliance was not available or only meets some of their needs,” he explained.
While not required for the Pro-Link upgrade, owners can also opt to replace the old Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 displays with Universal Avionics InSight displays. “Upgrading legacy navigation equipment with Pro-Link NextGen-capable components provides the one compelling argument for owner/operators to investigate what a considerable return on avionics upgrades will mean for their aviation investment,” he said.