Avionics News July 2012 - 32

EXTRA AVIONICS

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DACS Digital Audio Control System. You’ll hear the difference.
Cobham’s DACS delivers complete audio control among aircraft transceivers, receivers, and audio warning sources. DACS is configurable to suit missionspecific communication needs. Designed for tactical operations, the DACS three-component system offers significant technological advancements and end-user benefits. Benefits and features: • Enhanced sound performance • Reduced weight • Reduced complexity • Reduced installation cost • Flexible, configurable with DACS software • Integrated Audio Warning Generator • Digital audio processing and control • TSO-C139, ETSO-C50c Cobham Aerospace Communications 6400 Wilkinson Drive Prescott, AZ 86301 USA 1-928-708-1550 sales.prescott@cobham.com

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can still tie a knot in a pilot’s optic nerve. “It tumbles much better than they ever thought,” Upchurch said, “and it’s a more capable aerobatic aircraft that appeals to a broader cross section.” The STC’d S-TEC 30 autopilot won’t be an option until the Federal Aviation Administration accepts the LT’s European type certificate and S-TEC adds it to its list of approved models. Taking the pulse of U.S. pilots and defining what appeals to them is part of Southeast Aero’s collaboration with the factory. Starting this year, the factory is installing a standard avionics package in the LT. Using the system developed by Southeast Aero, it includes an Aspen PFD and MFD over an Electronics International MVP-50 engine monitor over Garmin avionics, with the GNS-430W and GTX328 transponder giving way to the GTN-650 and its remote-mounted components. With the LT dominating sales, “we haven’t done enough LXs to see what customers want,” Upchurch said. “Right now, the aerobatic standard is something like the Becker comm and transponder with a Garmin 496.” Extra avionics is not Southeast Aero’s only business. It’s also an authorized service center of Cirrus Design, Cessna and Diamond, so it does a lot of work with Garmin, Avidyne, Aspen and S-TEC, and a fair amount of installs, including the total restoration of a 1944 Grumman Widgeon amphibian, which is getting a full suite of Garmin equipment. “It looks like a spaghetti western right now,” Upchurch said. “Extra used to be half the avionics business, but it’s gone down to about 25 percent of business,” he continued. “When sales volumes dropped off, we had to be more versatile. Working on Extras and then other airplanes, scheduling and training became more important. We’re fortunate to have diversification with our other relationships.” Addressing both sides of his business, “having come through a slow couple of years, we’re beginning to feel growth pressures again and are looking for the pace of work to pick up.” q

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Avionics News July 2012

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