A patent for a wireless connection between an avionics panel and personal devices such as iPads, filed for in 2011, has been granted to Aspen Avionics. The Connected Panel was first introduced to customers that same year.
Aspen official Perri Coyne noted Aspen was first to come out with the Connected Panel, and now becomes the first to patent it. The technology has been used on several aircraft, including “the Pilatus PC-12NG and PC-24 as part of Honeywell’s Primus Apex integrated cockpit and Universal Avionics’ InSight Integrated Flight Deck,” according to the Aspen announcement.
Coyne said it opens possibilities for additional platforms.
Aspen has approximately 20 partners for connected technology including Jeppesen, Hilton Software, FltPlan.com, Honeywell, and ForeFlight that offer tools to use and store flight data in Aspen’s connected system.
Aspen also appears to be on the cusp of a breakout into markets other than general aviation with its purchase last June of Accord Technology, Coyne noted. Accord makes GPS systems for aircraft as well as technology to help pilots comply with requirements to automatically send critical flight information to controllers.
Coyne said the acquisition, unrelated to the patent, could open markets in unmanned aircraft systems and air transport.
