Avionics News March 2017 - 41

Another selling point for the Lumatech products:
* Landing gear levers with additional integrated
They're virtually plug-and-play replacements for
functionality.
the original-equipment items. They fit into the same
» Actuation lock-out and override.
openings, use the same connectors and, thus, require
» Gear status lights.
minimal effort to install. Disassemble whatever is
» Horn mute, emergency extend, etc.
needed to remove the original-equipment unit, unplug
* Throttle quadrant assemblies.
it, plug in the Lumatech replacement and hit the test
» Single or multiengine.
button. If you get lights, you're ready to button up the
» Traditional or electronic.
panel again.
* Nosewheel steering controls.
Whether integrated panels, individual LED
* Flap position, speedbrake, spoilers, etc.
annunciators, or low-profile switches, the Lumatech
Advantages of these products include:
products should outlast the airframe since the mean
* Line-ready turnkey systems.
∞
Actuation forces tailored to
time between failure for the
program requirements.
LED light sources runs into the
∞
RTCA/DO-160E tested
tens of thousands of hours.
and compliant.
And the rest of the Lumatech
LUMA TECHNOLOGIES
product won't face the problems
WAS FOUNDED IN
Still moving forward
of the original old incandescentMARCH 2006 WITH THE
Maxwell's plans for his helicopter
bulb models without the heatVISION
OF
BECOMING
products focused on debuting
induced damage of those bulbs.
them at the Helicopter Association
International Heli-Expo, March
Lumatech controls:
6-9 in Dallas. And from what
The same attention
we've gathered from talking to
to quality
Maxwell at NBAA and seeing his
LED-illuminated systems
company's products in their working
aren't the only part of the
environment, expect to see a lot more
flight deck environment to
of Luma Technologies products in
gain from the attention of
future aircraft.
Luma Technologies. Maxwell's
Between their long life expectancy,
company brings the same
easy installation, solid durability
quality level to its line of
and low costs - they tend to run
cockpit controls - with features
about half of OEM replacements -
on some unavailable in the
Maxwell and his company look to
OEM systems.
have a lengthy, successful future.
As Maxwell explained
And given the lackluster pace of
at NBAA, these products
new and pre-owned business aircraft, retrofitting and
include throttle quadrants, landing gear levers with
upgrading are big business these days. With Luma
bundled accessories, flap position controls, and other
Technologies products designed to help operators save
miscellaneous electro-mechanical interfaces between
money and down time, Maxwell and his staff should
the pilot and aircraft.
continue to enjoy a busy future.
Luma Technologies designs each product using
As he noted at NBAA: "You get a red light on one of
a variety of analytical tools to optimize strengththe panels, you can't go. Get no light and you can't go,
to-weight ratios - and on some can even deliver a
either."
significant reduction in behind-the-panel depth, as well
The no light event should never happen with a Luma
as other enhancements.
Technologies LED-illuminated panel or switch - at
Among the cockpit controls available from Luma
least, not in our lifetimes. q
Technologies are:

A PREMIER
MANUFACTURER
OF LIGHTED
DISPLAYS
AND CUSTOM
SWITCHING
PRODUCTS TO
THE AIRCRAFT
INDUSTRY.

avionics news

march

2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News March 2017