This website uses cookies
More information
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

ACE 2026 - September 8th

Related information from the Handbook...

FreeFlight Systems

Avionics Systems

BAN's World Gazetteer

Texas
The bimonthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Request your printed copy

FreeFlight helps to keep legacy aircraft in the air
The RA4000/4500 radar altimeter, installed by FreeFlight on legacy aircraft, has a field-high reliability and is a robust solution to provide accurate height above terrain for aircraft in harsh conditions and environments.

FreeFlight Systems has announced its latest product – the FDC-500 Convertor. This compact digital to analogue convertor allows the replacement of heavy, legacy radar altimeters with FreeFlight Systems' RA4000/4500 radar altimeters while retaining existing antennas, cabling and indicators onboard the aircraft.

With a significant market presence in rotorcraft and general aviation with the RA4000/4500 radar altimeter, the FDC-500 will allow similar installations into turboprops and small business jets, while keeping original analogue panel indicators such as the KNI 415 and KNI 416 altitude indicators.

The RA4000/4500 radar altimeter has a field-high reliability and is a robust and reliable solution to provide accurate height above terrain for aircraft in harsh conditions and environments time and time again. “In continuing our mission to outfit legacy aircraft with avionics for modern airspace systems, the FDC-500 is an ideal product to add to our portfolio,” says Tim Taylor, CEO and president of FreeFlight Systems. “We know there is minimal time and budget available in keeping legacy aircraft flying, and we will continue to be part of the solution in keeping these aircraft airworthy.”

The FDC-500 will be available for delivery in December.

Other News
 
World Cup 2026 hat-trick logistics and pitch-perfect operations
May 18, 2026
This summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup isn’t just a sports event; it’s a continent-wide, multi-week operational coordination test comprising 48 teams and 104 matches, and spanning 16 host cities across three countries over 39 days.
Avionics expertise bolsters Viasat’s Velaris AAM ecosystem
May 17, 2026
L2 Aviation joins the Velaris ecosystem via Galaxy 1 Communications, bringing certification and avionics integration capability to support scalable advanced air mobility operations.
Atlantic and Joby bring Manhattan eVTOL flights closer
May 17, 2026
A demonstration at Manhattan’s East 34th Street Heliport showed how electric air taxis could operate within existing city infrastructure.