At the HAI Heli-Expo 2006, Wulfsberg Electronics announced their next-generation of navigation and communications equipment — known as FliteLine™ — has been fully certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
This major milestone was achieved following a 2-year Wulfsberg Electronics (WED) and ERA Technology (ERA) joint product development programme designed to replace the WED Series III analogue radio equipment. The new digital product suite includes a VHF Communications Radio, a VHF Navigation Radio, a Distance Measurement system (DME) and ancillary installation equipment.
ERA and WED had not previously worked together and were geographically separated between the UK and US. This co-development programme successfully solved many engineering and management challenges, including the difficult task of final system integration, and has produced a world-class suite of communication products with potential sales of $20M. The FAA approval now clears the way for production of line replaceable units (LRUs) for VHF Com, VHF Nav, and DME, and these will work in concert with the recently launched colour control display units.
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p The FAA certified FliteLine™ navigation and communications avionics equipment
co-developed by ERA Technology and Wulfsberg Electronics. |
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“This certification completes the package of equipment so that customers may begin replacing their Series III boxes, or other aging equipment, with this exciting new technology,” said Bob Evans, Wulfsberg’s product manager for Nav/Com products. “The new equipment features digital signal processing, (DSP) which will take the overall performance and reliability to a new level.”
The FliteLine™ system was designed to allow installation of a complete six-unit control display suite (two com, two nav, one ADF and transponder controls) in one-third less panel space. In addition to saving space, the FliteLine equipment features unique full-colour displays, and is lightweight and affordable.
The LRUs save space, too. The Com and the Nav are each just 2.40 inches wide and the DME is just 3.27 inches wide. FliteLine control display equipment can directly
replace Bendix, AlliedSignal, and Chelton Series III controls. FliteLine also supports the Collins-Gables 2 out of 5 interface.
Wulfsberg’s FliteLine Nav/Com System can be configured with VHF Com (8.33 or 25 kHz channeling, 118-152 MHz), VOR, ILS, Marker Beacon, DME, ADF, discrete controls, and a Radio Management Unit. The system includes both ARINC 429 digital interfaces and conventional analogue interfaces to support new or retrofit installations.
In addition to its FliteLine products, Wulfsberg Electronics designs and manufactures Flexcomm multi-band, airborne FM/AM tactical radio communications systems. For more information about the WED product range, please visit: www.wulfsberg.com.
For more information about ERA’s world-class digital radio design capability, please visit our Electronic Systems homepage.
About ERA Technology
ERA Technology works at the leading edge of many advanced technologies. The business was founded in 1920 and today provides specialist, high value-added, technology-based services including design and development, testing, assessment and expert advice.
The company has built an international reputation for technical expertise through constant innovation at the leading edge of technology. ERA's services reduce technical and commercial risk, improve the operational performance of engineering infrastructure assets, and enhance the competitiveness of products and systems.
ERA Technology is a Cobham company.
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2006 News Archive 
