Story ID: 574 Universal Avionics
Universal Hosts NextGen Hub at NBAA 2016
By: Ian Sheppard
Caption: Universal Avionics unveils new learning concept for those seeking to meet NextGen equipage requirements.
Word Count: 275
Reacting to previous feedback from customers, Universal Avionics is hosting a “NextGen Hub” this week at NBAA 2016 to disseminate information about the next-generation U.S. air traffic control environment, with a particular focus on the equipment needed to meet upcoming FAA mandates. Universal’s NextGen experts will host two workshops—one today and another tomorrow—entitled “Design for the Future: Four Steps to Equipping for NextGen and Increasing the Value of Your Aircraft.” The sessions will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Booth 235 and will cover the building-block approach to equipping aircraft.
  
Topics covered will include LPV, ADS-B OUT, PBN, FANS, datacomm, CPDLC, CPDLC Departure Clearances (DCL) and Link 2000+. Universal said that it will also do one-to-one consultations throughout the show.
  
“The entire NextGen roadmap is more than just ADS-B OUT,” said Robert Randall, Universal Avionics senior sales manager for the U.S. He added that keeping the market informed is critical to ensure operators make the correct decisions for upgrading their aircraft.
  
Meanwhile, Tucson, Ariz.-based Universal Avionics has extended three upgrade incentives for operators preparing for NextGen, stressing that operators shouldn’t leave it all to the last minute as mandates kick in. 
  
Its ADS-B OUT incentive package program and SBAS-FMS upgrade incentive program for the Learjet 40/45/40XR/45XR and Citation Excel/XLS are now available through Dec. 31, 2017. In addition, Universal’s SBAS-FMS upgrade incentive program provides trade-in credit for competitor FMS or GPS systems and is valid through Dec. 31, 2019.
  
The company is also displaying its new UniLink desktop training software for FANS and DCL service familiarization this week at NBAA 2016.