News
First TC FANS retrofit certification achieved
July 28, 2014, Tucson, Az. - Universal Avionics has announced that authorized dealer, Mid-Canada Mod Center, has achieved the much anticipated, first Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) Future Air Navigation System (FANS) certification with the UniLink UL-801 Communications Management Unit (CMU). The Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) was issued for MC2’s FANS installation on a Falcon 50EX.
July 28, 2014 By Carey Fredericks
The FANS aircraft upgrade includes Universal Avionics’ UniLink UL-801 Communications Management Unit (CMU), UNS-1Ew SBAS-Flight Management System (FMS) and CVR-120R Cockpit Voice Recorder for FANS data link message recording. The installation of this package provides the business operator with the use and benefits of Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C). In addition, Universal Avionics’ UniLink UL-800/801 CMU provides a path to EUROCONTROL’s Link 2000+ Program.
Universal Avionics’ Canadian Regional Sales Manager, Norm Matheis, currently spends much of his time working with operators who have voiced their frustration over the lack of OEM-produced solutions available today. “Our Authorized Dealers who tackle first-of-a-kind retrofits help make Universal Avionics what it is today,” said Matheis. “Once again, Bill Arsenault and his team at Mid-Canada Mod saw and heard a need, this time a FANS STC, and just got it done.”
The business operator of this Falcon 50EX frequently flies in the North Atlantic Track System (NATS) and will now be able to achieve significant operational efficiencies through their investment in FANS technology. FANS considerably improves communication capabilities in oceanic areas, improving safety and performance within the operating environment. High Frequency (HF) traffic is reduced, clearing the channel, and poor quality of HF is no longer an issue. Also, standardized CPDLC message sets remove language barriers, helping to lower the stress on the crew and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC). Additional FANS benefits include reduced separation between aircraft, data link communication, no altitude loss when crossing tracks and more direct routings.
In speaking about this mod, Bill Arsenault, V.P. of MC2 said, “It is an exciting time to be in the avionics business. Achieving the first FANS STC for a Falcon 50EX presented us an opportunity that we knew would result in something of great value to the entire Falcon 50EX fleet. The co-operative effort of both Universal Avionics and MC2 has resulted in a mod that provides a great solution for these aircraft. Challenges such as this are a real opportunity to bring manufacturers and service/development specialists like us together to collaborate and bring added value to the aftermarket.”
