Universal Avionics announces EASA STC approval of the company’s high-performance SBAS-FMS solution for the ATR 42 and ATR 72 flight deck. Danish Air Transport (DAT) is now operating the certified system and enjoying the benefits of fully coupled 3D, LPV, and BARO VNAV approach capabilities.
Built on UA’s UNS-1Lw SBAS-FMS, the STC provides an integrated solution that covers the replacement of every configuration of FMS on ATR 42 and 72, up to and including the -500. This vital modernization leads to more direct and shorter approaches, saving time and keeping operators on schedule, while also reducing fuel burn. With UA’s two-in-one solution, regional and transport aircraft operators not only gain LPV approach capabilities, but also meet current and emerging mandates for ADS-B Out.
"As the world prepares to recover from this pandemic, airlines are gearing up with technology solutions to ensure high efficiency and competitiveness,” said Dror Yahav, UA chief executive officer. “Our SBAS-FMS solution is an excellent example of how to achieve a highly capable fleet with a minimum expense,” he added.
“For more than 25 years, Universal Avionics has been a leading provider of Flight Management Systems to the regional aircraft market,” said Marc Bouliane, UA vice president of business development, marketing and services. “This STC, based on our latest SBAS-FMS, enables ATR operators to save time and money, and to expand market access by enabling the use of airport approaches which are inaccessible with the legacy solution.”
LPV offers the highest precision GPS instrument approaches currently available without specialized aircrew training requirements, enabling access to those airports with reduced ground infrastructure and which are often used by regional operators. There are currently more than 700 LPV approaches in Europe, and even more throughout the rest of the world. In North America alone, there are more than 4,600 different LPV approaches to date at over 1,900 airports, including almost 1,200 airports that do not have an ILS.
Available with a Multi-function Control Display Unit (MCDU) or a 4- / 5-inch Control Display Unit, UA’s integrated SBAS-FMS solution does not require any modification of the Main Instrument Panel to add new controls and annunciations typically found with LPV solutions. The memory capacity of the UNS-1Lw SBAS-FMS enables loading of worldwide navigation databases, with room to spare, simplifying maintenance operations compared to the legacy non-SBAS FMS on the aircraft. Finally, the solution is available with a FlexPerf Trip Performance option for even greater fuel savings. The STC package and installation kit design was led by ASM, a JANA Company.
