Avionics News July 2022 - 28

As part of Stratos' kit aircraft development program, AI Systems built the Stratos 716X panel. It includes a round Mid-Continent Instruments and
Avionics Flex custom function display (seen in the panel next to the Garmin GTN 750 GPS/nav/comm multifunction display and inset), which AI Systems
used to create a cabin altitude and cabin differential pressure gauge. AI Systems also developed the all-custom switch LRUs (bottom of panel) that
display an array of mounted switches with backlit text.
AI SYSTEMS INC.
Continued from page 27
New cowling to new safety features
On a new Lancair IV-P Turbine, AI Systems' technifrom
stowage for emergency oxygen masks to secure cupholders
to integrated USB chargers.
" We're always open to these research and development-type
projects, " said Hadlich, an airframe and powerplant mechanic
with inspection authorization and more than 17 years of
experience in aircraft maintenance. " It's something we're really
talented at. My father was part of the Lancair Legacy and the
Lancair IV-P Turbine development when he worked at Lancair.
I've been part of the development of the two Stratos jets. I also
worked on one of the early Epic LTs back in 2004. We've been
really deep into the development of experimental airplanes for
a long time. "
As part of the Stratos aircraft development program, Hadlich
helped with the flight testing, maintenance and electrical development
of the kit manufacturer's proof of concept, the 714, and
its production prototype, the Stratos 716X.
" We're the only approved builder assistance company right
now for the Stratos 716X, " Hadlich said. " When they start
selling to customers soon, we'll be providing builder assistance
programs for their customers. We have a lot of customers,
especially those with Epic LTs and Lancair Evolutions, who
are very interested in building one of these airplanes. The 716X
is the next step in terms of experimental turbine performance
kitplanes. A lot of people are excited to see the production
version of it. There's really no one that can meet that kind of
performance criteria like Stratos can. "
28 avionics news * july 2022
cians are creating a new interior design from scratch and
adding the custom switch panel LRU, a Therm-X deicing
system on the wings and horizontal stabilizer as well as a
Villinger inlet deicing system. The team is also retrofitting
it with a new inlet system and cowling similar to the
Epic LT's updated system.
" We've actually retrofitted a lot of the LT market with the
new cowling, " Hadlich said. " Evolution has also developed
an updated cowling, but no one has ever done it for
a Lancair IV. We worked with a partner to develop one for
the Lancair. We're finishing the development of the new
inlets now. Performance is the main reason for it. You gain
efficiency. There's less drag and more inlet airflow to create
more power for airspeed and, in the end, better fuel mileage
because the engine is breathing so much better. There
aren't a lot of airplanes in the four-place turbine market that
you'll find that are as fast and as efficient as the Lancair
IV-P Turbine. This one is going to be the nicest, probably
most expensive Lancair IV-P Turbine that's ever been on the
market. No one has built one like this. "
AI Systems is also adding several safety features to the
Lancair IV-P Turbine, including airbag systems built into the
seatbelts, a BRS deployable parachute and a Garmin Smart
Glide system. The panel features dual Garmin G3X primary
flight displays, dual Garmin G5 electronic flight instrument
systems, GNX 375 GPS navigator and ADS-B transponder,
and GTN 750Xi GPS/nav/comm multifunction display.

Avionics News July 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News July 2022