Avionics News January 2016 - 67
Honda Aircraft HONDA AIRCRAFT said the HondaJet received type certification from the FAA. The FAA presented the type certificate to MICHIMASA FUJINO, Honda Aircraft president and CEO, in front of more than 2,000 people, including FAA Administrator MICHAEL HUERTA, government representatives, community leaders, HondaJet dealers, suppliers and Honda Aircraft associates. "Achieving FAA type certification for the HondaJet is a monumental milestone for Honda," Fujino said. "We established Honda Aircraft as a new aerospace company and introduced our first product - an advanced light jet with technologies developed from serious research activities. We designed, tested, and have now certified this clean-sheet design aircraft - an unprecedented challenge for Honda." The company said it validated the HondaJet's performance, safety, function and reliability through rigorous ground and flight tests with the FAA. Total flight hours exceeded 3,000, with testing conducted at more than 70 locations across the U.S. With HondaJet FAA type certification achieved, Honda Aircraft is now ramping up production in Greensboro with 25 aircraft on the final assembly line. The Honda Aircraft workforce is nearing 1,700 people, as the company prepares for deliveries, pilot training and aftersales customer service and support. For more information, visit HondaJet.com. q Garmin GARMIN introduced the GAD 27, a small, lightweight and solid state integrated controller that provides a solution to many of the typical airframe interfacing needs. With the GAD 27, pilots are provided a consolidated system that would otherwise require multiple adapter modules, which streamlines configuration of their experimental amateur-built and light sport aircraft. According to the company, enhanced capabilities include a programmable flap controller, multiple lighting bus outputs, pilot/co-pilot trim mixing, taxi and landing light control options including automatic flashing, a voltage stabilizer and additional discrete inputs. These features are enabled by the GAD 27 adapter and give pilots additional configuration options among various systems and functions via the G3X Touch system, streamlining the installation process. "As we listen to the industry, we continue to introduce more products and expand upon the existing feature set to add more capability and functionality to G3X Touch installations," said CARL WOLF, vice president of aviation marketing and sales. "With the GAD 27, Team X has brought smarter technologies that effectively combines five individual modules into one small adapter so installation is easier, configuration is simple and our loyal customers save time and receive more options with G3X Touch." * In other news... Garmin announced Terminal Safety Solutions, a unique set of technologies that provide a better state of situational awareness to pilots throughout the airport terminal environment, including SurfaceWatch, TerminalTraffic and SafeTaxi. These safety-enhancing tools provide pilots with a clear understanding of their location within the terminal environment relative to traffic on the ground and in the air, while also proactively providing notifications of potential runway incursions or surface incidents. For more information, visit garmin.com. q avionics news * january 2016 67