By: Deborah Johnson Wood
L-3 Avionics Systems in Grand Rapids, a former division of Learjet, has developed a revolutionary fully integrated cockpit system that promises to make flying easier, safer and more fun.
The product received FAA certification in the Cirrus SR22 (a four-seat piston aircraft) in May and is flying in the prototype of the Cirrus SJ50 (a single-engine personal jet) as company officials pursue personal jet certification. In the meantime, L-3’s leaders are working out the final contract details with an unnamed aerospace manufacturer before releasing the product for installation in new aircraft.
Called the SmartDeck Integrated Flight Controls and Display System, also called a glass cockpit, the product is the first of its kind for personal aircraft. A traditional cockpit dashboard is a confusing maze of dials; SmartDeck looks more like a computer screen with bright colors and information in a convenient location—things that keep the pilot flying safely, such as altitude, heading, navigation, flight plan, communications, and more.
“The intuitive aspect is one of SmartDeck’s biggest sales factors,” says Michelle Stevenson, spokesperson for L-3. “The easier it is the safer it is. The optional synthetic vision uses a database to pull up obstacles and terrain and mountains on the screen so pilots can see them, even if they’re flying in bad weather. And it shows runway markers, which is a great safety factor.”
For years, L-3 has produced solid state electronic standby instruments, a collision avoidance system called SkyWatch, and Stormscope, a lightning detection system.
“We have such great experienced and skilled talent in Grand Rapids in creating all these products,” Stevenson notes, “the next step was to create SmartDeck.”
Source: Michelle Stevenson, L-3 Avionics Systems
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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