New Portable ADTS Instrument for Compliant Pitot-Static Testing of Light Aircraft from GE

Oct. 20, 2014
All test sequences can be saved and recalled, with rapid access to parameters such as altitude, rate of climb, calibrated air speed and true air speed.

Groby, UK - October 20, 2014 — The new ADTS542F from the  Druck product line of GE Measurement & Control introduces Bluetooth® technology with a remote touch/swipe screen, hand terminal to provide an easy-to-use, compliant, portable and accurate solution to pitot static instrumentation testing of light aircraft and helicopters on the flightline and in the hangar. With a calibration period of up to 15 months, the new instrument also offers extremely favorable low cost of ownership and is supported globally by GE.

“This new two-channel pitot-static test instrument has been purpose-designed to be especially easy to use, to help reduce engineering time for standard maintenance, trouble-shooting and leak testing,” explains Mark Singleton, product manager at GE. “At the same time, it helps provide compliance with aircraft technical regulations and with manufacturers’ aircraft maintenance manuals.”

The ADTS542F consists of a base unit that can be battery-powered or plug-in, with a separate hand terminal, which is paired with the base by Bluetooth® technology or cable. As a result, operation is remote and, when wireless, there is no need to run cables to the cockpit. The terminal’s color screen user-interface employs swipe technology and its intuitive touch menu, which offers a choice of languages, allows operators to scroll quickly through the tasks to be completed. All test sequences can be saved and recalled, with rapid access to parameters such as altitude, rate of climb, calibrated air speed and true air speed.

The accuracy and reliability of the new instruments are derived from their use of GE’s TERPS (Trench Etched Resonant Pressure Sensor) technology. This makes them ideally suited to RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum) validation.  Additionally GE’s Druck line offers new Proportional Control Technology that affords smooth vacuum/pressure control of high flow rates.

The ADTS500 Series is available in four versions. In addition to the ADTS542F the ADTS552F is a two-channel test set designed for use with the complete range of aircraft; including large wide body passenger jets and freight transporters. The ADTS553F features three test channels and can be used with smart probes featuring two static channels to validate angle of attack and one pitot channel. It can also be used as a standard two-channel flightline air data test set. The versatile four channel ADTS554F can be operated in standard two-channel mode or in three-channel mode for any aircraft requiring angle of attack validation. The ADTS554F can also be operated as two independently controlled twin channel air data test sets and is designed to accommodate simultaneous testing of pilot and first officer instruments. The modular design of the series allows ADTS552F and ADTS553F units to be easily up-graded to meet customers changing needs by addition of extra channels.

The new ADTS instruments have an altitude range of -3,000 to +60,000 feet and an airspeed range of 20 to 650 knots. A range of optional accessories is available including an ADTS backpack, hoses and adaptors.

About Measurement & Control

Measurement & Control is a leading innovator in advanced, sensor-based measurement; non-destructive testing and inspection; flow and process control; turbine, generator, and plant controls; and condition monitoring. Providing healthcare for our customers’ most critical assets, we deliver accuracy, productivity and safety to a wide range of industries, including oil & gas, power generation, aerospace, metals and transportation. Headquartered in Boston, USA, Measurement & Control has more than 40 facilities in 25 countries and is part of GE Oil & Gas. For further information, visit www.ge-mcs.com.

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