FreeFlight Systems, a nextgen solutions provider headquartered in Irving, Texas, has completed major certification milestones for the RA-5500 and RA-6500 Terrain series radar altimeters, including successful flight testing. With the completion of these milestones, FreeFlight Systems expects to receive Technical Standard Order certification by end of the year.

“The timing of this certification is crucial as the accelerating deployment of 5G networks increasingly challenges safety of flight of operators around the world,” comments Shane LaPlante, FreeFlight VP of sales and marketing. “The RA-5500 and RA-6500 radar altimeters provide business jet and rotorcraft operators with a modernised, rugged and flexible radar altimeter solution that currently does not exist in the market. We are eager to achieve TSO certification and look forward to our launch later this year.”

The RA-5500 and RA-6500 are the lightest, most advanced radar altimeters in their class and have been specifically designed to coexist with 5G mobile networks. In addition, the RA-5500 and RA-6500 add dual install capabilities in support of Part 25 and 29 certificated aircraft.

The RA-5500 and RA-6500 are being certified to the FAA and EASA's most rigorous design standards including TSO-C87a and ETSO-C87a certifications. With existing installations in mind, the RA-5500 and RA-6500 simplify retrofit installations by supporting existing antennas, control heads and cabling as needed. Further, the RA-6500 features comprehensive interface capabilities, including a legacy ARINC 552 interface, allowing integration with legacy analogue indicators greatly simplifying those retrofit installations. For improved display options, the RA-6500 can be paired with FreeFlight Systems' RAD45 standalone indicator which meets EASA AMC1 SPA.NVIS.110(b) guidelines.

FreeFlight Systems has also announced a strategic partnership with Peregrine Avionics, an aircraft engineering and certification firm based at Centennial airport in Colorado, to develop an STC for the popular Dual Band ADS-B In Datalink Transceiver for installation onboard Cessna Citation 650 business jets.

Scheduled for completion in Q1 of 2022, the AML-STC will provide Cessna 650 operators and other platforms with the ability to enhance their situational awareness by receiving Flight Information Services-Broadcast (FIS-B) and Traffic Information Services-Broadcast (TIS-B) data into the cockpit. The STC will enable integration of the Dual Band ADS-B Data Link Transceiver with TCAS II systems such that existing TCAS indicators can display information that is more accurate. This update would eliminate the FIS-B only limitation for business jet operators and substantially improve cockpit situational awareness.

“Developing this STC with Peregrine is the first step towards an AML-STC that will ensure the Dual Band ADS-B In Datalink Transceiver becomes an accessible solution for all Part 25 aircraft,” notes LaPlante. “We are glad to have a wide network of partners that assist us in our mission to improve pilot situational awareness and ultimately, safety in flight.”