Honeywell is marketing a variety of new avionics products including a new-technology cockpit electronic display, a new satcom system and a pair of retrofit programs.

OmniView Plus, a 14.1-in. active-matrix liquid-crystal display (AMLCD) with a 160-deg viewing angle and resolution of 1,400 by 1,050 pixels, will be used in the Primus Epic integrated avionics systems on board the Dassault Falcon 900EX and Gulfstream V-SP.

Honeywell calls OmniView Plus a major improvement in cross-cockpit readability and a big step up in display resolution. The flat-panel display was developed in a partnership with Taiwan-based Chi Mei Optoelectronics, established in 1998 by parent company Chi Mei Corp., the world’s largest ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin manufacturer. Chi Mei’s key products are large-size LCDs for both portable and desktop computer applications. Chi Mei Optoelectronics has recently developed a partnership with IBM LCD Group and is the world’s third largest LCD maker.

The aircraft panel display combines Honeywell’s Omni-View Plus technology and Chi Mei’s multi-domain, vertically aligned AMLCD technology, adapted for avionics. Chi Mei’s ultra-wide-view AMLCD, with color stability across the entire viewing zone, can also be used in the desktop, notebook PC and workstation environments. This represents mass consumer market potential and resulting economies of scale cost benefits.

Honeywell-Meggitt King Air Retrofit

In further news from Honeywell, it has joined Meggitt Avionics to develop, certify and market an avionics retrofit package for the Raytheon King Air C90 based on Bendix/King flight control and hazard avoidance systems, combined with Meggitt sensors and displays.

From Honeywell, the package will include as options the IHAS 8000 integrated hazard avoidance system and an optional datalink weather information system. The KFC 250 automatic flight control system is standard. Meggitt will provide its Magic EFIS with an air data/attitude and heading reference system and primary flight and navigation displays. The package will be available from certified Bendix/King dealers.

Dan Barks, Honeywell director of general aviation marketing, said,  “We expect the complete retrofit package to be certified and available by next spring.”

The price for the autopilot and flight displays is expected to be $125,000 plus installation. The optional IHAS 8000 system is $62,907 plus installation.

Meggitt Avionics based in Manchester, N.H., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Meggitt plc.

RVSM Equipment for Citation

Honeywell also has partnered with Cessna Aircraft to provide reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) equipment for more than 2,000 Cessna aircraft.

The company’s RVSM equipment has been developed for the Cessna Citation 500, I, II (550 series), S/II (S550 series) and Citation V (560 series). “By partnering with Cessna, we are able to provide a common RVSM solution for five Cessna aircraft models, easing certification and support requirements for Cessna customers,” said John Uczekaj, v-p and general manager, Honeywell business, regional and general aviation avionics. Honeywell also provides RVSM-compliant equipment for Cessna Citation III/VI/VII, Bravo, Ultra, Encore, Excel and X.

The RVSM suite includes the AZ-252 digital air-data computer, AM-250 air-data/altimeter and VN-800 vertical navigation controller. The RVSM compliance package will be available for installation from authorized Cessna Citation service facilities.

Satcom STC for BBJ

The avionics maker also has obtained FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for installation of the new, seven-channel Honeywell/Thales MCS-7000 satcom system on the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ).

The MCS-7000 uses the Inmarsat satellite constellation, and also offers potential to interface with other satellite systems. “This certification is significant not only because it is the first MCS-7000 certification on the BBJ, but the first installation using Honeywell’s interface adapter, which eliminates the need for wiring modifications to upgrade the system,” said Marc McGowan, director, Honeywell long-range communications.

Thales Avionics (formerly Racal Avionics, Ltd.) executive John Mountifield said the partners expect their first OEM MCS-7000 STC shortly.

The new system complies with all applicable satcom industry standards and can interface with a variety of associated communications equipment. The MCS-7000 is compatible with use in the future Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) for datalink communications with air traffic controllers in the evolving CNS/ATM airspace system.