Avionics News January 2016 - 64

NBAA CONVENTION

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company's customer advisory board, which is comprised
of more than a dozen top business aviation operators.
According to the company, operators are beginning
to evaluate options and to set budgets for compliance
for multiple avionics mandates coming due in the next
four years. Over the last five months of 2015, ADS-B
system quotes have risen more than 80 percent for
StandardAero, as the company has begun focusing on
educating operators on the mandate and promoting
affordable ADS-B programs. Among other mandates,
such as TCAS, FANS-1A and CPDLC, customer
inquiries have risen nearly 50 percent.
In addition, StandardAero joined forces with
Universal Avionics to offer new avionics upgrade
incentives. Operators of Learjet 45, Learjet 60, Astra
SPX and Gulfstream G100 can now upgrade their
aircraft with the Universal Avionics Satellite-Based
Augmentation System-capable Flight Management
System and transponders with ADS-B DO-260B while
taking advantage of new, significant savings during a
limited time offer.
StandardAero also signed an agreement with RollsRoyce to become an authorized engine line maintenance
service provider for CorporateCare operators of the
AE 3007A and BR710A2-20 turbofan engines. The
new agreement expands the company's engine service
portfolio and authorizes StandardAero to provide
additional services to its customers.

True Blue Power

True Blue Power announced the receipt of a Transport
Canada Civil Aviation Part 23 STC for installation of
the True Blue Power TB17 (17 amp-hour) lithium-ion
aircraft battery on the Beechcraft A36 Bonanza. True
Blue Power has applied for FAA bilateral acceptance of
the same STC for use on U.S.-based aircraft.
"This certification is a significant milestone for us,"
said Rick Slater, True Blue Power division manager. "It
provides the baseline for subsequent STC processes on
a long list of aircraft applications awaiting True Blue
Power lithium-ion batteries."
The TB17 utilizes Nanophosphate lithium-ion
chemistry to provide unmatched power, energy, safety
and life. The advanced battery system weighs less than
16 pounds, delivering a 45 percent weight savings
compared to lead-acid and nickel-cadmium alternatives.
In addition, the company said that R1 Airlines,
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avionics news

january

2016

based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has become the first
commercial operator to utilize an aircraft equipped with
True Blue Power lithium-ion main aircraft batteries in
revenue service. The on-demand charter service, which
is an Avmax managed company, installed the battery
on a Bombardier DHC-8-100 (Dash 8) aircraft after
True Blue Power and Avmax received a Part 25 STC
from Transport Canada for installation of the True Blue
Power TB44 lithium-ion battery on Bombardier DHC-8
100/200/300 series aircraft. True Blue Power and Avmax
have applied for FAA bilateral acceptance of the same
STC for use on U.S.-based aircraft.

TrueNorth Avionics

TrueNorth revealed that it plans to offer a personalized
entertainment application on its Optelity Pro cabin
communications platform. The Optelity Experience
features the innovative UGO in-flight services platform
developed by Paris-based Display Interactive.
"We feel that the UGO platform offers the best-inclass entertainment option for business jet passengers,"
said Mark van Berkel, TrueNorth chief executive
officer. "TrueNorth and Display Interactive share the
same philosophy regarding the customer experience of
business jet passengers. Optelity Experience will go
beyond movies and magazines to include curated content
and what we refer to as exclusive experiences."
The company also introduced its Optelity Care program,
which gives aircraft owners and operators the highest
level of support and peace of mind, while ensuring their
airborne connectivity systems keep pace with the latest
mobile technologies, according to the company.
"With Optelity Care, we've made airborne
connectivity more predictable and have streamlined
upgrades to tackle evolving technology," van Berkel
said. "Optelity Care represents a new philosophy on
managing and maintaining onboard connectivity systems
because it is a membership with exclusive privileges
and services specifically for Optelity products. What we
have heard from our customers is that they are frustrated
by how quickly their investment in cabin connectivity
becomes obsolete by the rapidly changing landscape
of mobile devices. We listened, and the Optelity Care
program provides a way for business jet operators to
maintain that investment long into the future."
TrueNorth also announced the receipt of an STC for
its Optelity Cabin Gateway Pro communications system.
The STC, developed and certified on a Gulfstream V
aircraft, was completed by Mississauga, Canada-based
Mid-Canada Mod Center.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News January 2016