Universal Avionics (UA), a manufacturer of innovative commercial avionics, has successfully completed Technical Standard Order (TSO) certification for its Connected FMS. This effort also validates the cloud-based Connectivity Ecosystem's maturity, robustness and compliance with applicable cybersecurity requirements.

UA's Connectivity Ecosystem offers comprehensive, connected flight management system (FMS) capabilities with FlightPartner, which supports weather-driven smart flight planning, two-way flight plan exchanges in-flight and on the ground, and seamless interaction with third-party applications. It also delivers safety and performance insights with FlightReview, a cloud-based, automated FMS and aircraft data collection system. Pilots save time with reduced entry times and seamless database updates. Optimisations to flight time, fuel planning and flight data reporting improve efficiency and may be used as part of a flight department's safety management system.

“Our deep personal and professional Universal Avionics is now positioned to offer the Connectivity Ecosystem to aircraft manufacturers and operators in the aviation industry. This will enable them to leverage the latest technological advancements to optimise day-to-day operations and maintenance. The solution is powered by the Solid-State Data Transfer Unit Plus (SSDTU+), which secures wireless interactions between tablets and FMS using unique low-power Wi-Fi access controls (patent pending). The new solution provides an easy, direct upgrade to UA SSDTUs currently in service.

“This achievement reflects the expertise of our team, which has worked tirelessly to develop a cutting-edge connectivity platform that meets the highest standards of quality, safety and performance,” says Dror Yahav, chief executive officer of Universal Avionics. “We are excited to bring the UA Connectivity Ecosystem to the market. We are confident that it will deliver significant value to our customers by enhancing mission preparedness on the ground and during flight.”

The next phase of the connected avionics solution includes additions to FlightPartner such as ADS-B in and data-linked weather integration for weather awareness in all phases of flight. Weight and balance, take-off and landing, and engine-out performance entries will further streamline the pilot entry workload, with flight data monitoring aircraft data analytics and real-time event reporting available through FlightReview. As a follow-on development, the Connectivity Ecosystem will also enable extensive aircraft data collection when connected to UA's InSight flight deck.