The L-3 Avionics Systems Trilogy ESI-2000 back-up electronic display is becoming nearly ubiquitous in airplanes with glass cockpits. A new approved model listing supplemental type certificate (AML STC) allows the display with its back-up battery to be installed in dozens of airplanes.
The Trilogy is a 3.7-inch color display that backs up primary flight instruments in a format similar to that used in primary flight displays. In the event that the PFD fails, the pilot can easily transition to the Trilogy display for primary back-up information. The Trilogy ESI-2000 includes a back-up lithium ion battery to keep the display alive even if all other power systems fail.
“Trilogy is more than a secondary source of flight data,” said Larry Riddle, vice president of business development for L-3. “With a mirror image of the primary flight display in the cockpit, pilots can make a smooth transition to this backup in an emergency or quickly spot a mismatch between systems. The ESI-2000 brings all-glass capability, improved safety, and added system redundancy to a wide variety of aircraft.”
In addition to the AML STC, L-3 announced at NBAA that the ESI-2000 will be standard on the PiperJet and the G501SP digital avionics upgrade from Sierra Industries. The G501SP is Sierra’s retrofit of a Garmin G1000 into the Citation 501 series of business jets. There, Trilogy backs up the G1000 suite.
Meanwhile, the Trilogy ESI-1000 is now standard in the Pilatus PC-12 NG with its Honeywell Apex cockpit. The ESI-1000 is the same as the -2000, but without the battery backup.
In other product news, L-3 announced that its popular SkyWatch HP traffic systems will be made compatible with ADS-B. The ADS-B capable SkyWatch SKY899 TAS and SKY899A TCAS-1 are expected to be available in mid-2011.
The new SkyWatch HP units will come with a pre-installed updated software package that will fuse active traffic and Mode-S (1090 MHz) ADS-B information to provide users with a complete collision warning and traffic advisory solution, Riddle said. An upgrade for existing SkyWatch HP units will also be available.
“Accuracy in collision warning instruments is dependent upon technology. We designed SkyWatch HP to continue to provide high-fidelity traffic information, even as air-to-air and ground-to-air surveillance systems change,” said Riddle. “As ADS-B is progressively rolled out, new and existing SkyWatch HP owners will be able to take full advantage of the service using the same dependable system they know and trust.”
