Universal Avionics (Booth No. 4359) yesterday introduced a new cockpit voice and flight data recorder (CVFDR) with internal recorder independent power supply (RIPS). The CVFDR records up to 25 hours of flight data and 120 minutes of datalink messages.

The independent power supply option provides up to 10 minutes of backup power in the event of a main power failure. The company said the backup power meets requirements set by the NTSB and FAA. The NTSB lists backup power source capability and two-hour cockpit audio recording capability on its “10 Most Wanted List” of safety improvements. The FAA published a rule in March that will require all forward-fit CVR installations in aircraft with more than 10 seats to have independent power supply capabilities by March 2010. The rule also requires the recording of datalink communications on all forward-fit aircraft with an onboard datalink.

“RIPS truly is one of the most wanted aviation safety improvements,” a Universal Avionics spokesman said. “We are very pleased to offer the first inexpensive solution to accommodate this 10-minute power requirement after a power loss without the headache of maintaining batteries.” The CVFDR has a list price starting at $16,500.
In other news, the Tuscon, Ariz.-based company announced that it has incorporated LED technology in its line of flat-panel displays. The new backlight will provide a 40-percent power reduction in the MFD-640 display and a 25-percent reduction in the EFI-890R. The system will be available in the first quarter of next year.

In addition, the FAA has approved certification of the company’s solid-state data transfer unit (SSDTU). The unit provides centralized loading and downloading of data and eliminates the need for a separate data loader for FMS updates, Jeppesen charts, TAWS and synthetic vision updates. The device is available for immediate delivery and is available in fixed mount and portable models. The company said the unit allows TAWS updates to download three to five times faster than with the older DTU-100 model.