Avionics News January 2012 - 22

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ROCKWELL COLLINS’ FUSION UPGRADES

Fusion Fusing Three Fronts Rockwell Collins’ decision to move into the Part 23 market with a tailored Fusion system is possible because of the scalability of the software and the range of hardware compatible with the system. The new version of Pro Line Fusion features display screens sized for installation with 10.4-inch screens in place of the huge 15-inch displays of Fusion Large, such as those in the Challenger 6000 and upcoming Gulfstream 650 and 250, with all of them able to use Rockwell Collins’ latest HGS package for Part 25 aircraft, the HGS-6000. But, it would be selling short the Part 23 Fusion to describe it solely as a display change. In Rockwell Collins’ pursuit of a system that supports a heads up, eyes forward flying philosophy, Fusion 23 goes into territory previously not tread by makers of avionics for Part 23 aircraft. For example, Rockwell Collins opted to give the Part 23 Fusion touch-sensitive primary flight and multifunction displays, which naturally support eyes-forward operation. Rockwell Collins’ engineers designed intuitive, easy-touse touch-control interfaces on both the primary flight and multifunction displays. Together, they dramatically enhance pilots’ situational awareness by keeping all the important flight, air and nav data front and center, allowing the pilot to operate with eyes forward throughout flight. To compliment the eyes-forward philosophy, Rockwell Collins’ engineers created the smallest-ever heads-up display system for its Heads-up Guidance System. The HGS-3500 stands as general aviation’s first HGS for light- to mid-size business aircraft. It uses its own built-in, compact projector and accumulator which, in combination, are small enough to mount on a glareshield. The HGS-3500 is also the first heads-up display to employ synthetic vision − keeping the pilot’s eyes forward, able to read and interpret key flight data without looking away from the out-the-window view. Rockwell Collins’ MultiScan radar provides automated weather detection and analysis. Its award-winning MultiScan threat detection system provides optimal, clutterfree weather information that reduces pilot workload and enhances safety and passenger comfort by minimizing unexpected turbulence encounters. With the company’s globally networked and fully synchronized Ascend flight-information solution, Pro Line Fusion-equipped aircraft stay connected to a global
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network, which allows both individual owners and flight department managers to manage aircraft operations more smoothly and effectively. Rockwell Collins’ new autonomous backup provides the flight crew with a one-touch emergency control to handle the aircraft in the event of flight crew disorientation. Push the button, and the system recovers the aircraft to a normal attitude and speed. It then puts the aircraft into a holding pattern at a safe-altitude while, in the event of an engine loss, also supplies guidance cues to the nearest airport. Fusion Retrofit For Pro Line 21 While working to line up OEM customers for Fusion 23, Rockwell Collins already had a supplemental type certificate partner lined up for the Fusion 23 retrofit program: Hawker Beechcraft Corp.’s Global Support. And, the retrofit candidate: the venerable Beechcraft King Air – at least King Airs flying with Pro Line 21. “Pro Line Fusion’s proven and scalable software, integrated with advanced hardware features, such as embedded display processing, are key in bringing an avionics system of this caliber to King Air aircraft,” said Greg Irmen, Rockwell Collins’ vice president and general manager, business and regional systems. Like the new Fusion 23 system, the Pro Line Fusion retrofit for King Air employs the segment’s first touch-control flight displays, enabling what the avionics maker calls “gesture-based flight management to keep the pilot’s head up and eyes forward” and enhance situational awareness flight safety during all phases of operation. Avionics News magazine examined the genesis of touchscreen-control interfaces in a cover story in its October 2011 issue. “This Pro Line Fusion upgrade represents an amazing technology leap in flight deck display technology for our customers,” said Christi Tannahill, Hawker Beechcraft, vice president, global customer support. “In today’s world, touchscreen technology is changing how we interact with our handheld devices. Making it available to our existing fleet of aircraft further enhances the value of those aircraft and the environment they operate in.” Rockwell Collins and Hawker Beechcraft expect to receive an STC for the King Air Pro Line 21-to-Fusion retrofit by the end of 2013 – still nearly two years out. Simplicity Amid Sophistication According to Evanschwartz, the key to the Fusion retrofit program is the quality of the hardware behind

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2012

Avionics News January 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News January 2012