Datalink transceiver enhances safety

Citation

(2008), "Datalink transceiver enhances safety", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780eab.024

Datalink transceiver enhances safety

Article Type: Safety topics and notes From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 80, Issue 5

Avidyne Corporation has introduced a versatile new two-way datalink transceiver, the MLX770, which delivers datalink graphical weather and two-way text messaging capability for general aviation operations in Europe.

The MLX770 is said to be a well-suited upgrade for the large installed base of Avidyne-equipped aircraft already flying in Europe, including the more than 600 Entegra-equipped Cirrus SR20 s and SR22 s.

“Cirrus is very pleased to endorse the MLX770 as a dealer-installed upgrade for the hundreds of Cirrus aeroplanes currently operating in Europe,” said John Bingham, Vice President of International Sales for Cirrus. “Cirrus’ goal is to bring the latest safety-enhancement and performance technology to market for all of our customers, and the MLX770 adds a new level of situational awareness and safety for European-based Cirrus owners.”

“The MLX770 is yet another market-defining product developed by our Safety Systems group in Columbus, Ohio,” said Avidyne President Dan Schwinn. “Leveraging the global coverage of the Iridium network, Avidyne is excited about bringing datalink capability to the European market at a much lower price point than previously available, and we look to expand this capability to other areas of the world in the very near future.”

Utilizing Avidyne’s proven Network Operations Center and capitalising on the global reach and reliability of the 66-satellite Iridium constellation, the MLX770 delivers strategic datalink weather services to Entegra- and EX500-equipped aircraft operating throughout Europe.

The MLX770 provides Avidyne’s European customers - who until now have had no access to broadcast datalink weather services like those found in the continental USA and limited access to much higher-cost corporate aviation solutions available internationally - with the strategic benefits of long-range datalink weather capability. With the addition of the MLX770, these aircraft owners can now make more informed flying decisions based on current weather and forecast data during all phases of flight operations. The MLX770 allows pilots to more easily make go/no-go decisions on the ground, and fly more strategically while en route and when having to deviate around weather.

“There are well over 1,000 Avidyne-equipped aircraft operating throughout Europe that are ideally suited to take advantage of the terrific safety enhancements of the MLX770,” said Rob Higby, Avidyne’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Avidyne is currently identifying STC partners and key service centers across Europe that will be designated to perform this upgrade in Entegra- and EX500-equipped aircraft.”

Using the Iridium satellite network, the MLX770 provides weather data for most of Western Europe, with satellite signal coverage at all altitudes, even when on the ground.

The MLX770’s datalink service will include graphical and textual METARS, TAFs, Winds and Temperatures Aloft, and in-flight weather advisories (NOTAMs). Radar and lightning will be available as premium offerings, and Avidyne plans to add new weather products like satellite imagery in the near future. Additionally, the MLX770 provides convenient two-way SMS text messaging from your airborne multifunction displays (MFD) to any ground-based SMS-capable mobile phone or e-mail address, allowing pilots to communicate with family and friends from their aircraft in flight.

The compact MLX770 datalink transceiver weighs only 1.64 kg (3.6 lbs) and is contained in a

152 × 203 × 76 mm

(6.0 × 8.0 × 3.0 in.)

box and can be mounted with our without the optional mounting tray. The ANT77 Iridium patch antenna measures 88 mm-diameter × 14 mm high (3.5 in. dia×(3/4) in.) and fits easily on virtually any light general aviation aircraft or helicopter. Designed specifically for Avidyne Entegra customers and EX-series MFDs users, the MLX770 provides access to ground-based weather radar data, METARs - meteorological activity reports that typically summarize actual weather at an aerodrome on a 30-60 min basis, TAFs - Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts which give predicted weather conditions expected at an aerodrome, usually for a 9 or 24 h period, and textual winds and temperatures aloft information at various altitudes. Additionally, weather advisories for a particular flight information region are provided via the NOTAMs product.