Horizon Avionics to make “house” calls at Greenville Downtown Airport
August 9, 2015
What are avionics and why is this announcement so important? Avionics are the electronics used in aviation to communicate with air traffic controllers; provide navigational, weather and anti-collision information on displays, usually in the cockpit of an aircraft, and used by the pilot(s). Most newer aircraft have “glass cockpits”, which is a term used to describe the computer screen look of the displays which are slowly replacing the gauges of yesteryear. These screens save space by showing multiple data on the same screen at the same time. These avionics will now be able to be installed and serviced locally.
More importantly, almost all aircraft, flown in the U.S., will be required to have a GPS based tracking device installed in them by 2020. Why? The nation is going to a new air traffic control system that will provide aircraft positioning signals about every second. This system, called NextGen, will replace radar signals that are currently used for tracking flights that currently are updated about every 5 – 15 seconds. The reduction in time between signals will help reduce energy costs by enabling controllers to manage air traffic more efficiently, resulting in less fuel consumption and a huge time savings for passengers. Ground interference, land forms (like mountains) and distance from reporting radars are radar related constraints and do not affect GPS data, which makes it more accurate. The new system will also help if search and rescue efforts are needed since the last reported position will be a more accurate location.
Almost all aircraft will be required to have a device called an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) OUT. It sends positioning reports from the carrying aircraft OUT to air traffic controllers and others. This requirement is called ADS-B 2020 and its compliance by date is fast approaching. Aircraft owners can opt to also have an ADS-B IN installed which gives the pilot information coming IN from the NextGen system that includes other aircraft positions and extra items like weather data. Most aircraft don’t have this technology installed. It is installed in most commercial aircraft and some newer civilian and military aircraft. Horizon Avionics can install these systems now at GMU and help local plane owners meet this
new regulation.
“If owners wait until the 11th hour to order one they will most likely be grounded for some time. Our industry predicts, as the cutoff date approaches, manufacturers and installers will not be able to keep up with the demand,” stated Brown. “That is why having a local airfield based provider starting the work now is so critical to get our based aircraft fitted for the future and well maintained long into it.”
About Horizon Avionics
Horizon Avionics is an avionics dealer for ARC, Aspen Avionics, Avidyne, Bendix/King, Century Flight Systems, Garmin, Honeywell, L3, PS- Engineering, S-Tec, and many more, whether it be service, repairs, or installations, Horizon Avionics FAA Approved Avionics has the tools and experience to troubleshoot problems and provide quality repair, with minimum downtime. Horizon Avionics provides troubleshooting and bench repair on Navs, Comms, Radar, Autopilots, and more. They can also perform IFR tests and inspections, and RVSM inspections, using state-of-the-art RVSM certified DPS-450 RVSM compliant digital pitot-static test set. Service provided by appointment at Greenville Jet Center, located at 1 Aviation Lane, Greenville, SC 29607. For more information about Horizon Avionics, please visithttp://www.horizonavionics.
About NextGen and ADS-B
For more information about NextGen and ADS-B, please see: http://www.faa.gov/nextgen/
About GMU
GMU is the busiest general aviation airport and third busiest airport overall in South Carolina and is a self-sufficient entity with financial strength that doesn’t rely on local taxpayers for funding. GMU is home to Greenville Jet Center, the largest Fixed Base Operator (FBO) in S.C., as well as more than 25 other aviation-related businesses creating 453 jobs that annually contribute more than $35.2 million to the Upstate economy. For more information about GMU please visithttp://www.
