In its time here at Maxcraft, this Bell 206B has received a most comprehensive avionic upgrade. In addition to the ever-desirable (and increasingly common) combination of Garmin GTN750 Navigator and G500H Primary flight display, this aircraft also received a myriad of other systems which elevate the capability of this private aircraft from merely good, to great. These additional systems and equipment are not all immediately obvious from a single glance at the panel, and include remote boxes, as well as a number of small extras which really complete the installation. Read more here.

Detection of system condition, mode or user selection used to be a matter of ‘feeling’ or ‘scanning’ a bank of switches to determine what position a particular switch or bank of switches was in. Often in the dark, smudged, dirty or even missing placards could turn this into an act of faith.

Old annunciator

 

Remote visual annunciation has been with us in newer cockpits for some time, letting the flight crew know about system condition as well as detection of possible problems. To augment analog or digital display systems, Visual Annunciators perform a vital part in informing a pilot as to the safety of an aircraft. These devices prove particularly useful in the course of modifying aircraft systems.

Located within the cockpit, and typically within in the line of sight of the pilot, customized annunciators relay the status of the various systems to the pilot. An aircraft system may not only be required to indicate abnormal or emergency conditions, but could also indicate that the systems are functioning properly with no faults.

Modern annunciator

 

Seemingly endless guidance is available in the form of Letter and Numeral Design, Flightcrew Alerting, Display Marking, NVIS or NVG colour spectrum requirements, Human Factors for Aircraft Cockpit Lighting. High-quality aerospace manufacturers take as many of these issues into account in the design and configuration of their annunciator products. The best annunciator manufacturers give you the tools to customize their product without inflicting long manufacturing lead times, or delivering something you didn’t ask for.

Where cockpit lighting technology has been stuck in the stone ages for some time, the wide spread use of newer manufacturing technologies in aerospace has given us never before seen access to display options and durability in annunciator products.

VIVISUN® Switches and Indicators are the preferred choice of leading OEM aircraft manufacturers and military services worldwide. The patented design of VIVISUN lighting technology delivers best-in-class sunlight readability and performance. VIVISUN products are tested in accordance with MIL-PRF-22885 standards and are on the Qualified Products List (QPL). Product performance also conforms to DO-160F levels. Superior brightness and color consistency are why man-machine interface designers select VIVISUN pushbutton switches for their mission critical operations. Voltage Dimming or 3-level Discrete Dimming options integrate VIVISUN switches and indicators easily into existing lighting schemas and ensure pilot control over cockpit display conditions.

NEXSYS™ is the newest brand from Applied Avionics, manufacturers of the industry leading VIVISUN pushbutton switches and indicators. NEXSYS is focused on providing avionic system interface solutions, including the new ARINC 429 Signal Converter and the modular LOGIC component technology, which simplifies electronic design complexity with a powerful combination of mix-and-match electronic components. NEXSYS LOGIC component technology can provide robust behind-the-panel interface capabilities via a stand-alone LOGIC Module, or can be incorporated internally into a VIVISUN switch body.

With the NEXSYS brand, Applied Avionics can expand with you into solutions behind, not just in front of, the cockpit panel. NEXSYS products can work independently, or can be paired with VIVISUN lighted pushbutton switches and indicators for applications that require a robust man-machine interface in connection with the NEXSYS system interface capabilities.

Both the NEXSYS and VIVISUN brands are supported by Applied Avionics’ demonstrated commitment to high reliability, unparalleled customer service, and on-time delivery. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.appliedavionics.com or call toll-free (888) 848-4786.

Maxcraft is very active in multiple tradeshows around North America. Just recently we sent our team to the Helicopter Association of Canada Conference (HAC).