Thales TopMax head-worn cockpit display was recently exhibited in Asia for the first time at a Thales event in Singapore. The device is most suitable for light to midsize business jets that are too small to install a HUD projector in the cockpit, said Thales TopMax director of sales and marketingYanik Doyon.
Doyon told AIN that there has been some interest from business aviation operators in Asia, especially in the areas of island-hopping and low-visibility operations. He added that the TopMax is 50 percent less expensive to install than a standard HUD system and has a smaller footprint in the cockpit. Orientation and movement detection of the sight is achieved with around 15 finger-sized stickers above the pilot, sensed with a small infrared red sensor mounted on the sight.
The TopMax was initially due to be certified by 2017 and in service by 2018; however, Thales now aims to have it certified by 2020. “With the development of new technology, there is always the risk of unexpected delays,” Doyon said. “We have been working with the relevant authorities over the past few years to thoroughly test the TopMax to ensure that it performs at an optimum level.”
TopMax will again be on display in Asia at the Zhuhai Airshow in China next month, as well as at the Langkawi Airshow in March.