Avio - Total Aircraft Integration

Avio (TM), exclusive to the Eclipse 500, provides Total Aircraft Integration (TM) through integral, redundant computer systems and an advanced power distribution system. More than just an integrated avionics and instrument suite, Avio expands integration technology beyond the cockpit and applies it to the entire aircraft.

Avio's Total Aircraft Integration provides centralized control of all aircraft systems � everything from engine controls to fuel system management to cabin temperature and pressurization control. Avio presents this information in its sophisticated cockpit suite, extending the reduced workload benefits of modern �all-glass cockpits� to management of the entire aircraft. This level of Total Aircraft Integration and the resulting safety enhancements have previously been available only in advanced military aircraft and commercial jetliners. Eclipse uses the power of digital electronics to make this capability standard in a twin-jet for about a million dollars.

Features

• Comprehensive avionics functionality
• Electronically controlled aircraft
• Advanced electronic power distribution system
• Full integration of major systems
• Solid-state circuit breakers, switches, and contactors

Benefits

• Increased safety
• Increased reliability
• Increased functionality
• Reduced cost and weight

Avio Avionics and Instrumentation
The Eclipse 500 comes equipped with comprehensive standard avionics. The pilot interface is a streamlined glass cockpit that features two primary flight displays (PFDs) and one multi-function display (MFD), which are controlled by selection keys and knobs on the displays or by a keyboard at the pilot position.

The PFDs and MFD provide the pilot with high-resolution display of all flight parameters, engine and system performance data, and total system control. Dual digital com and nav radios are part of the PFDs and are tuned using knobs on the PFD panel. The com radios have the ability to monitor more than one frequency and allow the pilot and copilot to transmit on separate frequencies.

Standard features rival those of aircraft costing millions more. Safety features such as autothrottle and color weather radar come standard. A flight management system with sophisticated aircraft performance computer, dual GPS, and attitude heading reference system (AHRS) are also part of the standard package. The aircraft will be reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) group certified at delivery.

Systems control is accomplished via the MFD. These systems include fuel, electrical, engines, environmental control, de-ice, lighting and pressurization.

To ensure availability of critical instruments, backup instruments are embedded in the MFD. In addition, both PFDs and the MFD have a reversionary mode that allows it to transfer its information to one of the other displays if required.

Avio Standard Avionics Features

Avionics functionality for communications, navigation, situational awareness and flight guidance and control are all integrated into Avio. Integration reduces the number of boxes and control heads necessary to manage the aircraft, thereby reducing weight and pilot workload.

Communications. VHF communication is provided with dual, digital 760-channel, 16-watt radios including 8.33-kHz capability. The communication radios have the ability to monitor more than one frequency and allow the pilot and copilot to transmit on separate frequencies.

The digital VHF radios are located in the PFDs.

Navigation. Dual GPS navigation, certified for IFR enroute and approach capability, and dual VOR/ILS navigation systems are integrated in Avio. An integrated flight management system (FMS) with performance computing capability is also included.

Navigational capability includes an active moving map display, flight path predictor, advisory vertical navigation (VNAV), approach and departure procedures, nearest airport displayed on map, and automatically nominated VOR/ILS frequencies.

Dual Mode S Transponders are also integrated in Avio.

Situational Awareness. Color weather radar, terrain awareness database, Traffic Information Services (TIS), and data-linked graphical weather are integrated in Avio. Support capability for Automated Dependent Surveillance � Broadcast (ADS-B), Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and Terrain Awareness and Warning System - Broadcast (TAWS-B) is also included.

In addition, the Eclipse 500 will be Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) group certified.

Flight Guidance and Control. A 3-axis autopilot, dual AHRS with air data computer, and an autothrottle are integrated in Avio.

Avio Optional Avionics Features. To extend the capability of the Eclipse 500, the following systems and instruments will be integrated in the Eclipse 500 as options:

• L3 Stormscope
• L3 Skywatch
• ADF
• DME
• TAWS-B
• ADS-B

The Avio Architecture

The streamlined glass cockpit, comprehensive avionics, and extensive electronic support available to the Eclipse 500 pilot are the result of an integrated electronics architecture that extends to every part of the Eclipse 500 jet. Avio displays one integrated picture of what the aircraft is doing, instead of many little pieces of data that must be assimilated and correlated by the pilot. Utilizing digital technology, Avio distributes intelligence throughout the Eclipse 500, which is controlled through redundant aircraft computers. Data buses allow large volumes of data to be shared among Avio's components.

Electronic Systems Control. Avio's system management provides electronic control of the major systems on the aircraft, including full authority digital engine controls (FADEC), flight management system, communications, autopilot, autothrottle, flaps, trim, landing gear, and environmental systems. Flight controls and brakes are conventional.

Health and Maintenance Monitoring. Avio captures health-monitoring data from the Eclipse 500's systems, creating a history of the performance of each system. This allows potential problems to be identified and corrected well before a system actually malfunctions.

Redundant Systems. Because of the high level of redundancy in all subsystems, Avio provides the pilot with knowledge and situational awareness even if an electronic component fails. All critical functions are duplicated, the components physically separated and powered by separate power buses and sources.

Circuit Breakers, Switches, Actuators. Avio uses electronic circuit breakers almost exclusively, delivering higher reliability and tighter tolerances than traditional mechanical circuit breakers. Extensive use of highly-reliable proximity switches and the use of smart actuators further enhance Avio's reliability.

Future Expansion. Eclipse will provide enhancements to Avio, which can be incorporated easily and inexpensively via software installations, made possible by the open architecture on the Eclipse 500.

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