Universal Avionics said here in Geneva its UniLink UL-800/801 Communications Management Unit (CMU) Software Control Number (SCN) 31.X is expected to receive Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval by midyear. The software upgrade will give operators the Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) message sets needed to meet the European Link 2000+ program mandate requirements.

Once the technology is certified, customers will be able “to start realizing the efficiencies and time savings associated with communicating via CPDLC,” said Dan Reida, v-p, sales and marketing of the U.S.-based avionics manufacturer. “Our FANS-1/A+ customers have repeatedly touted these benefits for oceanic operations and now it will be available for European domestic operations as well.”

SCN 31.X supports Aeronautical Telecommunications Network Baseline 1 CPDLC and Context Management functions which are the core of Link 2000+ compliance. The software upgrade answers industry requirements for operational consistency and human factors for all FANS CPDLC messages for operators flying in both continental Europe and Oceanic airspace.

Addressing Airbus Helicopter AS332 operators, Universal (Booth T063) also said integration of its EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays for the AS332L1 is on track for certification in mid-2016. The AS332 installation package includes dual Primary Flight Displays (PFDs), dual UNS-1Fw Multi-Missions Management System (MMMS) with five-inch Flat Panel Control Display Units (FPCDUs), and a single Radio Control Unit (RCU).

Optional night vision goggle-compatible displays, controllers, MMMS, FPCDUs and RCU versions are available. One transport-configured, and a second SAR-configured AS332 are undergoing EFI-890H installations at rotorcraft MRO Heli-One, said Grady Dees, Universal’s Director of Technical Sales.