TAWS and More from Universal

Latest with a terrain avoidance system is Universal Avionics (Booth 5985), which is unveiling a number of new products here at NBAA including TAWS, for Terrain Advisory Warning System, in this case an advanced product with predictive capability.

Universal's TAWS is being tested in the Universal Avionics lab in Redmond, Wash. It has logged more than 50 hours in the King Air and Challenger CL601 test airplanes.

The system provides terrain situational awareness relative to current and predicted aircraft position, and TAWS supports analog video, ARINC 453/708 weather radar and Ethernet digital image formats to displays. Flat panel, CRT's and ARINC 453 type displays have been interfaced with TAWS images.

TAWS is a 2 MCU size LRU, which is industry standard size, and weighs less than 11 pounds. It is expected to be available in early 1999 at a cost of $35,000 not including the price of a display, if needed. The Universal TAWS meets DO-160D environmental standards and can be located in unpressurized areas.

"The significant difference between TAWS and GPWS is the high resolution data base which will not only provide a plan view but will also give the pilot a 3D perspective as well as a profile view of the flight," said Universal marketing VP Don Berlin. "TAWS, working in conjunction with the FMS, will have a far greater predictive ability than GPWS. It will know the flight plan and will be able to scan the planned route for possible terrain conflicts even before the pilot leaves the ground.

"If TAWS finds a problem, it will give an advisory annunciation," Berlin said.

"We expect TAWS will certainly be fitted into King Airs and above We have had talks with OEMs about TAWS being an option on new aircraft and their response has been very enthusiastic."

Another Universal spokesman said the market could get a boost from a proposal to require a terrain awareness warning system on all aircraft with six or more passenger seats. "The final ruling will define the final market and market value," he said. The spokesman said TAWS is expected to find a home not only in general aviation cockpits, but also in airliners and military aircraft.

Universal will also be showing off its new Universal Cockpit Display (UCD) which is a flat panel display with a 10.4-inch diagonal viewing area. The full color touch screen is menu driven, and will be able to present en route charts as well approach charts or TAWS information.

The UCD is designed for continued growth and will interface with other video sources to uplink data and graphics such as weather information or business information. It costs $24,000 and is also expected to be in the market by early 1999.

UniVision, a next-generation CD-2000 cabin display, is also new. It has a worldwide map database and can provide real-time flight plan information, flight route as well as numerous map overlays. Pilots can trigger UniVision for timely displays of safety briefings or present other needed information. A built-in modem for satcom can link with Universal to uplink messages, weather, business news and other information such as e-mail. The $22,000 system weighs 7.9 pounds.

Universal has also signed an agreement with Thrane & Thrane of Denmark for exclusive marketing rights to a new Aero-I satcom system. "This system uses an intermediate gain antennae which is smaller, lighter and less expensive than Aero-H systems," Berlin said. The Aero-I system will be able to uplink information at a 2,400-baud rate and relay position reports and other information. It will also have voice capabilities, according to Berlin, that are equal to Aero-H systems. The Aero-I system weighs 35 pounds and is priced at $120,000 compared to Aero-H systems costing between $250,000 and $300,000.

"We have the position on size, weight and price," said Berlin. "We expect to see a strong market from the medium sized jets and up."

By John Wiley