Virtual VFR for Cessna 170 aircraft?
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 6:09 am
Virtual VFR for Cessna 170 aircraft?
This title was derived from the October 16,2006 edition of Aviation week
Virtual VFR for Bizjets.
This article discusses the improved situational awareness that synthetic terrain
provides to the pilot. I was reminded of another article I recently read on accident
statistics in Alaska.
“The Alaska pilot fatality rate is higher than the fatality rate for any other occupation in Alaska; the two next-highest occupational fatality rates are logging (150/100,000/year) and commercial fishing.
Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) has been found to be a leading cause of aircraft fatalities in Alaska. A CFIT crash refers to any collision with land or water in which there was no detectable mechanical or equipment failure, where the pilot was in control of the aircraft but lost situational awareness and flew into terrain.†(5)
The Honeywell system discussed in the article is expected to be certified next year.
Synthetic vision technology is already certified for the Cessna 170 on a system
manufactured by Chelton flight systems.
A non certified secondary system is also available from Mercury Computer (Vista Nav)
Kollsman is also developing a synthetic vision technology.
A complete all digital certified panel can be developed using the Chelton, Garmin, and
JP instruments 930. However the cost at the present time is 3 times the price of a Cessna 170
(I like the digital display in my Honda insight).
The Non certified Vista Nav unit when compared to a garmin 496, backup electric AI and EFB systems is comparable in price ($4300.00 add weather $699 Traffic $1899)
1 http://www.cheltonflightsystems.com/stcsearch.php
2 http://www.kollsman.com/products/commer ... ockpit.asp
3 http://estore.mc.com/vistanav/products/index.cfm
http://www.zaonflight.com/
4 http://www.jpinstruments.com/edm_930.html
5 http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/conte ... 54/11/1037
This title was derived from the October 16,2006 edition of Aviation week
Virtual VFR for Bizjets.
This article discusses the improved situational awareness that synthetic terrain
provides to the pilot. I was reminded of another article I recently read on accident
statistics in Alaska.
“The Alaska pilot fatality rate is higher than the fatality rate for any other occupation in Alaska; the two next-highest occupational fatality rates are logging (150/100,000/year) and commercial fishing.
Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) has been found to be a leading cause of aircraft fatalities in Alaska. A CFIT crash refers to any collision with land or water in which there was no detectable mechanical or equipment failure, where the pilot was in control of the aircraft but lost situational awareness and flew into terrain.†(5)
The Honeywell system discussed in the article is expected to be certified next year.
Synthetic vision technology is already certified for the Cessna 170 on a system
manufactured by Chelton flight systems.
A non certified secondary system is also available from Mercury Computer (Vista Nav)
Kollsman is also developing a synthetic vision technology.
A complete all digital certified panel can be developed using the Chelton, Garmin, and
JP instruments 930. However the cost at the present time is 3 times the price of a Cessna 170
(I like the digital display in my Honda insight).
The Non certified Vista Nav unit when compared to a garmin 496, backup electric AI and EFB systems is comparable in price ($4300.00 add weather $699 Traffic $1899)
1 http://www.cheltonflightsystems.com/stcsearch.php
2 http://www.kollsman.com/products/commer ... ockpit.asp
3 http://estore.mc.com/vistanav/products/index.cfm
http://www.zaonflight.com/
4 http://www.jpinstruments.com/edm_930.html
5 http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/conte ... 54/11/1037