Universal Avionics has a new, certified Bombardier Q400 solution for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out and Localizer Performance with Vertical Navigation (LPV) capability. Supplemental Type Certification (STC) ST02780CH was issued by FAA and EASA and awarded to Canard Aerospace Corporation. The solution includes Universal Avionics UNS-1Ew Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS)-Flight Management System (FMS).
The launch customer for this STC, airBaltic, has now completed the first two aircraft of their Q400 fleet upgrade. “With more installations on the way, we are excited about the opportunities this ESTC/STC will bring,” said Scott Campbell, Universal Avionics director of airline/military sales.
AirBaltic has been operating Universal Avionics FMS on its Bombardier Q400 fleet for many years. “The FMS has proved itself to be a reliable system,” said Aleksandrs Vorobjovs, avionics engineer with airBaltic. “With technology moving forward and support from the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency (GSA), airBaltic made the logical decision to launch the E-GEN project and upgrade the turboprop fleet to the Universal SBAS-FMS,” he added. “The new FMS provides a lot of benefits to us as an airline, including new functionality such as LPV/RNP approaches and route optimization, resulting in lower fuel burn and emissions.”
“Canard’s STC installs the Universal FMS with LPV functionality on Q400 aircraft in several configurations,” said Paul Denkmann, avionics project engineer with Canard Aerospace. “The FMS can be interfaced with ADS-B capable ATC transponders to enable ADS-B Out functionality,” he added. “The FAA STC has been validated with EASA and is in the process of Canadian (TCCA) validation.”