Avionics News June 2013 - 27

with gear clamps,” he said. “However, variation between probes led
to problems that forced the technician to tee in behind the probe.
This practice not only meant the test was not being done from source,
but also led to potential damage of connectors and was very time
consuming. The solution was to develop an adaptor that uses a threesided frame to accommodate the probe, most recently with an adjustable
arm for the static port seal. This unit is a real time saver.”
Living up to the Legacy
As more demanding operating conditions have required higher
standards for test equipment, pitot-static sensing has rapidly evolved
from hose lines and analog instruments to transducers and glass
cockpits. Multifunction probes are now the norm, according to Gilday,
“and increasing air traffic makes high accuracy avionics and avionics
test equipment an absolute necessity.”
Nav-Aids Ltd. is well positioned to handle the challenges, drawing
on a long legacy of expertise. Many of the company’s personnel are
second- and third-generation pitot-static experts having worked with
Gilday’s father and founder of the company, John Gilday.
“Prior to 1962, Nav-Aids Ltd. was an instrument repair shop known
as Canadian Aeronautical instruments,” Gilday said. “My father,
having served with the Royal Air Force and later as apprentice to a
watchmaker, quickly made the transition to instrument repair after
World War II. It was with the invention of the Cleco-Static Test Adaptor
that Nav-Aids Ltd. came into being.
“With the pressurization of the aircraft cockpit came the need to have
the altimeter source pressure from the outside of the airframe. This was
accomplished by way of static ports that would need to be tested from the
port through hose lines to the instrument panel. As well, pitot probes were
becoming more complex and increasingly difficult to test with homemade
solutions, such as garden hose and plumbing clamps. With the patents of
the first static test adaptor in 1963, and the first pitot test adaptor in 1968,
Nav-Aids Ltd. began to specialize in aircraft-specific adaptors.”
Throughout its history, the company has experienced near continual
growth. Gilday credited the company’s smaller size to being nimble
enough to react quickly and efficiently on customers’ behalf. Plus, the
implementation of RVSM standards, the wide-spread use of UAVs and
the increased popularity of business aircraft have led to Nav-Aids’
strong growth.
“We warranty our product without reservation, and pride ourselves
on our record of support,” he said. “Our technical sales representatives
travel throughout the world to provide timely solutions and support for
virtually all new and existing aircraft. Our dedicated military liaison
officer ensures that the right product is in the right place at the right
time. As well, our distributors are a vital and dynamic element in our
product promotion and sales. In all, we strive to produce the highest
quality, user-friendly tools available.” q

Did You
Know?
BY GEOFF HILL, EDITOR , A V I O N I C S N E W S

In March 2013, Avionics News
published an article titled “Testing
Technology” that discussed automation
and adaptors for pitot-static testing.
The article suggested that the first
pitot-static adaptors were introduced in
1998. However, Brent Gilday, president
of Nav-Aids Ltd., said there’s more to
the story.
“My father, John Gilday of Nav-Aids
Ltd., produced and patented the first
static adaptor in 1963, and the first
pitot in 1968,” Gilday said.
And, according to Gilday, most
test-equipment manufacturers do not
specialize or make adaptors as the article
suggested. “Of the major brands, only
one makes a limited line of adaptors,” he
said. “In fact, many ADT manufacturers,
including GE, Barfield and Laversab, have
teamed with Nav-Aids Ltd. to offer the
‘complete solution’ for pitot-static testing.
With a Nav-Aids air data accesories kit
in one hand and an ADT in the other, a
technician has all the tooling required to
complete the task.”
Gilday also said it’s important to
understand that smart probes test for
pitot, static and, most importantly, angle
of attack. “These probes work in unison
with each other,” he said.
Finally, Gilday noted the “the
technology to locate and identify leaks
has been a reality for 50 years. The
adaptors are connected to the tester by
means of hose assemblies that give you
precisely this ability. The hose assemblies
are configured in such a manner that
each system can be shut down one-byone until the leak is located.”
To learn more about Nav-Aids Ltd. and
its history, read the accompanying article
or visit www.navaidsltd.net. q
avionics news

•

june

2013

27


http://www.navaidsltd.net

Avionics News June 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News June 2013

Point of Communication
AEA Now
The View From Washington
International News and Regulatory Updates
Electrical-System Manager
Member Profile
Let's Get to Work!
Advancing Avionics
Startup Stories
Member Profile
The History of Avionics
Avionics News Through the Years
A Conversation With...
Legal Ease
Business Basics
AEAviators
What's New
Avionics News June 2013 - Intro
Avionics News June 2013 - Cover1
Avionics News June 2013 - Cover2
Avionics News June 2013 - 1
Avionics News June 2013 - 2
Avionics News June 2013 - 3
Avionics News June 2013 - Point of Communication
Avionics News June 2013 - 5
Avionics News June 2013 - AEA Now
Avionics News June 2013 - 7
Avionics News June 2013 - 8
Avionics News June 2013 - 9
Avionics News June 2013 - 10
Avionics News June 2013 - 11
Avionics News June 2013 - 12
Avionics News June 2013 - 13
Avionics News June 2013 - The View From Washington
Avionics News June 2013 - 15
Avionics News June 2013 - International News and Regulatory Updates
Avionics News June 2013 - 17
Avionics News June 2013 - 18
Avionics News June 2013 - 19
Avionics News June 2013 - Electrical-System Manager
Avionics News June 2013 - 21
Avionics News June 2013 - 22
Avionics News June 2013 - 23
Avionics News June 2013 - Member Profile
Avionics News June 2013 - 25
Avionics News June 2013 - 26
Avionics News June 2013 - 27
Avionics News June 2013 - Let's Get to Work!
Avionics News June 2013 - 29
Avionics News June 2013 - 30
Avionics News June 2013 - 31
Avionics News June 2013 - 32
Avionics News June 2013 - 33
Avionics News June 2013 - 34
Avionics News June 2013 - 35
Avionics News June 2013 - 36
Avionics News June 2013 - 37
Avionics News June 2013 - Advancing Avionics
Avionics News June 2013 - 39
Avionics News June 2013 - 40
Avionics News June 2013 - 41
Avionics News June 2013 - 42
Avionics News June 2013 - 43
Avionics News June 2013 - 44
Avionics News June 2013 - 45
Avionics News June 2013 - 46
Avionics News June 2013 - 47
Avionics News June 2013 - 48
Avionics News June 2013 - 49
Avionics News June 2013 - 50
Avionics News June 2013 - 51
Avionics News June 2013 - 52
Avionics News June 2013 - 53
Avionics News June 2013 - 54
Avionics News June 2013 - 55
Avionics News June 2013 - 56
Avionics News June 2013 - 57
Avionics News June 2013 - Startup Stories
Avionics News June 2013 - 59
Avionics News June 2013 - 60
Avionics News June 2013 - 61
Avionics News June 2013 - 62
Avionics News June 2013 - 63
Avionics News June 2013 - Member Profile
Avionics News June 2013 - 65
Avionics News June 2013 - 66
Avionics News June 2013 - 67
Avionics News June 2013 - The History of Avionics
Avionics News June 2013 - 69
Avionics News June 2013 - 70
Avionics News June 2013 - 71
Avionics News June 2013 - 72
Avionics News June 2013 - 73
Avionics News June 2013 - Avionics News Through the Years
Avionics News June 2013 - 75
Avionics News June 2013 - A Conversation With...
Avionics News June 2013 - 77
Avionics News June 2013 - Legal Ease
Avionics News June 2013 - 79
Avionics News June 2013 - 80
Avionics News June 2013 - 81
Avionics News June 2013 - 82
Avionics News June 2013 - 83
Avionics News June 2013 - Business Basics
Avionics News June 2013 - 85
Avionics News June 2013 - 86
Avionics News June 2013 - 87
Avionics News June 2013 - AEAviators
Avionics News June 2013 - 89
Avionics News June 2013 - What's New
Avionics News June 2013 - 91
Avionics News June 2013 - 92
Avionics News June 2013 - 93
Avionics News June 2013 - 94
Avionics News June 2013 - 95
Avionics News June 2013 - 96
Avionics News June 2013 - Cover3
Avionics News June 2013 - Cover4
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