Sandel Introduces Class A Panel-Mount TAWS

Sandel Avionics, Gerry Block's tiny San Marcos, CA firm (Booth 2826) is introducing a Terrain Awareness and Warning System that potentially represents a sizable economic, as well as a technological, breakthrough for business aircraft operators facing FAA's upcoming TAWS mandate.

The ST3400 TAWS, priced at $34,500, is a 3-ATI panel-mount unit that includes its own display, TAWS processor and terrain database. ST3400 uses position inputs from an FMS or GPS, plus altitude provided by an air data computer to determine the aircraft's lateral and vertical proximity to terrain. The unit does double duty as radio altimeter indicator or RMI, thereby preserving the existing instrument panel layout.

Other features include line select keys identifiable by tactile feel, arc and rose display modes, and a high speed data update port on the face of the instrument. The projector screen display is similar to Sandel's SN3308 EHSI, but new bulb technology provides four times the brightness, virtually no increase in heat output, and a mean time between service of 7,500 hours. Block plans to start develop test flying late this year. Certification is slated for mid-2001.

By Fred George