News
Air Creebec to get Universal’s WAAS/SBAS-FMS and TAWS
Jan. 25, 2012, Tuscon, Az. - Universal Avionics announced Tuesday that Canada’s Air Creebec has entered into an agreement with Authorized Dealer Mid-Canada Mod Center to fit its entire Q-Series (Dash 8) fleet with Wide Area Augmentation System/Satellite-Based Augmentation System Flight Management Systems (WAAS/SBAS-FMS) and Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS). They are the latest Canadian regional to begin this conversion.
January 25, 2012 By Carey Fredericks
Air Creebec selected Universal Avionics’ UNS-1Lw WAAS/SBAS-FMS, with a 4-inch Flat Panel Control Display Unit and a remotely mounted navigation computer. The navigation computer is contained in a 2-MCU sized Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) which includes the integral GPS/SBAS receiver. Air Creebec will gain access to all RNAV (GNSS) approach types as well as the additional accuracy of WAAS correction for other on-board systems. Universal Class A TAWS will be installed concurrently, with its unique look-ahead function and three views of terrain, with man-made obstacles alerting.
Universal’s WAAS/SBAS-FMS is the Bombardier OEM FMS offering for the Q400 aircraft, along with UniLink Communications Management Units and Universal Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorders. “We’re cautiously optimistic that we will eventually have Universal’s WAAS/SBAS-FMS in every Q-Series/ Dash 8 operating in Canada,” said Norm Matheis, Universal’s regional manager for Canada. “There’s a compelling case that investments in these technologies can drive overall operational efficiencies over the life of the aircraft.
“There are big changes coming to our airspace this year," he added. "Traffic management strategies that leverage the capability of modern flight management systems are high on Nav Canada’s and its customer’s list of priorities. We have the solutions that Canadian regionals want and need that support the path forward to performance-based navigation and the TAWS mandate.”
“The flight operational demands into Canada’s remote regions are unique unto themselves and provide some interesting challenges” said Bill Arsenault, vice president of Mid-Canada Mod Center. “We have worked with several of these service providers in conjunction with Universal Avionics to integrate modern nav aids into the current fleets – in particular the Dash 8 family of aircraft – that take full advantage of WAAS/SBAS capabilities. These systems bring enhanced safety and operations consistency to these operators who are providing an invaluable lifeline to the communities they service. Air Creebec has been a leader in developing and supporting such routes. We have had the pleasure of supporting their operations for many years through both Mid-Canada Mod Center and our other shop, Kitchener Aero. Their focus on safety and reliability in service sets them apart as leaders in Canada and we are pleased to have been asked to yet again lend them support in achieving their goals.”
