Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 78

Nav-Screen Protectors

WAAS GPS

Continued from page 76

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And, Avidyne continues to advance its own touchscreen-control units, the IFD540 all-in-one FMS/nav/comm/GPS, or the company’s new IFD510 WAAS GPS. For the operator already using a Garmin GNS530, the IFD540 is a plug-and-play replacement; ditto for the IFD510 as a replacement for a GNS500 or GNS500W.

Never Say Never
Insiders at a number of the avionics makers contacted could not and would not say there’s no hope for a 2-inch-high WAAS GPS solution. “Our priorities are elsewhere, as noted,” Harper said. Sources at other avionics makers declined to comment, but acknowledged there may be some movement in the desired direction – just not in the short term. All cited the attention focused on their existing projects, such as Honeywell’s KSN770 all-in-one solution in partnership with Aspen Avionics, Garmin’s new GTN series and Avidyne with its IFD family, and Aspen’s continuing evolution of its Evolution series (think “Connected Panel”). Avionics makers are hardly idle. One avionics executive who insisted on anonymity put it this way: “There’s no denying the potential for WAAS GPS, maybe even WAAS GPS/comm units in the 2-inch standard. If the features worked well with other new hardware, there’s a likelihood that someone will step up to fill such an obvious void. “But, the best solutions with the most potential also will have to work with some of today’s newest hardware – newer displays, ADS-B Out transmitters and transponders, new MFDs and PFDs.” Another avionics-company insider noted the possibility that those products are already in the pipeline, waiting for companies to get their cutting-edge products running smoothly before working on a lowerprofit project. “Remember, the very real need to be ADS-B Out compliant is still seven years out. The urgency isn’t quite real, yet. And, some smaller player may decide to make a small WAAS GPS that can only work through an MFD as a way to lower the costs of manufacturing. Today, there are so many ways a design could go and a few more years before the ADS-B Out mandate becomes an urgent issue. Regardless, all industry sources noted to penetrate a profitable level, a market dominated by low-value aircraft means any WAAS GPS solution must come at a cost level that makes spending several thousand dollars a sensible decision for any airplane worth less than the cost of a mid-size family sedan. “You’ve got to be serious about your flying and seriously flush to consider spending $17,000, or $15,000 for an all-in-one in an airplane worth $25,000 or more,” said an anonymous industry insider. “Spending $5,000 or even $7,000 on a WAAS GPS stand-alone is not a hard call. But, if someone builds it, buyers will come.” q

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Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013

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