Thomas Global Systems’ cooperative partner, Saab Regional Aircraft (Saab) has completed certification of Thomas Global’s TFD-8601 LCD flight displays for installation on Saab 340 CRT-equipped aircraft via their OEM Service Bulletin.
Saab’s development of the TFD-8601 Service Bulletin is part of a cooperative agreement between Saab and Thomas Global to extend availability of the plug-and-play LCD solution to the global Saab 340 fleet. The agreement includes Saab and Thomas Global collaborating closely in the marketing of the TFD-8601 to Saab 340 operators.
“We are pleased to be working with Saab to extend the benefits of the TFD-8601 solution to the broader Saab 340 fleet” Thomas Global CEO, Angus Hutchinson, said. “The TFD-8601 has proven itself to be the natural choice for a wide range of operators, and we are delighted that this is also recognized by Saab as the airframe OEM.”
“Saab’s issuance of the TFD-8601 Service Bulletin is a great advance for Saab and our partner Thomas Global,” said Per Lovatt, General Manager of Saab Regional Aircraft. “Thomas Global’s LCD displays are the right fit to efficiently innovate the Saab 340 flight deck for the future. We expect TFD-8601 LCD displays to enhance reliability, reduce lifecycle costs, and provide functional growth capability for Saab 340 operators. We look forward to working closely with Thomas Global to pursue implementation of the TFD-8601 Service Bulletin fleetwide,” he added.
Thomas Global developed the TFD-8601 in partnership with Regional Express (Rex), the world’s largest Saab 340 operator and ranked by Aviation Week and Space Technology magazine as the top performing regional airline in the world over the period 2009-2014. Rex has already retrofitted its entire fleet of over 50 Saab 340s with the TFD-8601.
TFD-8601 displays offer a lighter, more reliable, and lower lifecycle cost replacement for legacy CRTs, with added functionality and capacity for current and emerging airspace requirements. Its inventive plug-and-play design enables cost effective installation on overnights or at the gate, with no flight or maintenance crew retraining required. Thomas Global has already received FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorization and Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for the TFD-8601 display solution.
The TFD-8601 plug-and-play LCD solution replaces legacy Rockwell Collins EFD-86 CRT displays currently installed on Saab 340, Embraer EMB120 and other Proline 2 flight decks. The TFD-8601 LCD displays are interchangeable and intermixable with the existing legacy EFD-86 CRT displays.
