Esterline CMC Electronics has added real-time graphical weather linked through the Iridium satellite network to its 8.4-inch PilotView CMA-1100 Mk II and 10.4-inch CMA-1410 electronic flight bags (EFBs).
CMC Electronics is offering the WSI weather products with the Avidyne MLX770 two-way datalink receiver. The Avidyne network provides graphical weather and radar in Europe, Australia and North America. WSI Weather also provides worldwide winds and temperatures aloft, lightning, metars and tafs and satellite infrared. The hardware adds approximately four pounds to a CMC EFB installation, while also providing global text messaging and flight-tracking capabilities using the Iridium link.
CMC is the leading producer of Class 2 EFBs, with well over 2,000 units shipped. âWe are now producing our third-generation EFB with a 10.4-inch display, which has had good success and has been chosen by Boeing for the 737NG [including the BBJ],â CMC president Greg Yeldon told AIN. The STC for this system is expected later this year and, with the 10.4-inch display units having the same form-fit functionality as the earlier systems with smaller displays, installation is straightforward, said Yeldon.
The Canadian avionics group also announced that ABC Completions of Montreal recently received supplemental type certificate (STC) approval to install the CMA-1410 on the Bombardier Challenger 605 and 604. As part of the installation, ABC Completions provides a custom-made telescopic articulating mount, which places the PilotView EFB in the optimum position for viewing and usage, while maintaining safe operation of all cockpit controls. ABC Completion has also completed STCs for the CMA-1410 on the Bombardier Global Express, with several installations in progress.
The European Aviation Safety Agency recently granted CMC STC approval for installation of PilotView on Airbus A320s. Developed by Aeroconseil, an aircraft modification and design company in Toulouse, France, the PilotView EFB STC is also applicable to the Airbus A318 Elite, Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) and A320 Prestige. The launch customer is Air Mediterranée, a French charter airline.
âPilots will appreciate the added flexibility and functionality that our PilotView EFB brings to the A320 cockpit,â said Jean- Michel Comtois, Esterline CMC Electronics vice president of marketing and sales for government and public affairs. âAs our Class 2 EFB operates independently of the certified avionics suite, A320 operators will have the opportunity to introduce new functionalities to the aircraft. With the PilotView CMA-1100 EFB, CMC provides features such as âFMS-styleâ line select keys, a high-resolution, fully dimmable display, integrated communication capabilities and DO-160D qualification.â
There are now more than 25 STCs available for the PilotView EFB. The company claims the product line is currently the only Class 2 EFB with factory forward-fit installation positions at aircraft OEMs. The EFB is offered as a standard option at Dassault and ATR, and has been selected by Rockwell Collins for the Bombardier Global platform, by Embraer for the E170/190 and Legacy/Lineage programs, by Bombardier for the CRJ700/900/1000 and by Boeing for the Next Generation 737 and BBJ.
CMC is also developing its third generation of enhanced-vision systems, and Rockwell Collins is flight testing the EVS 2700 model for the Pro Line Fusion-based Global Vision cockpit for the Bombardier Global XRS and 5000, expected to complete certification next year.