THE FLYER - Universal Avionics

THE
October 1, 2008
FLYER
RAIM Prediction - More Important Than Ever
Effective July 1, 2009, the Predictive RAIM requirement outlined in
FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 90-100A will be enforced for all operators
in U.S. airspace. According to the AC, RNAV operators must
complete enroute and terminal RAIM Predictions when using GPS
as the only means of RNAV 1 and RNAV 2 procedure compliance.
A four-phase implementation schedule of the Predictive RAIM requirement
was recently released by the FAA’s Performance-based
Operations Aviation Rulemaking Committee (PARC).
Chartered in 2004, the PARC was tasked to review a number of
issues affecting the implementation of performance-based navigation
procedures and criteria. Future notifications and guidelines are expected
as the transition to performance-based navigation progresses.
Volume 1, Issue 3
Pilot’s Tool Kit
Universal Avionics WAAS/SBAS-FMSs Our Universal Flight
are TSO-C146b compliant, therefore Planning (UFP) program
operators are not subject to the RAIM provides enroute and
Prediction requirement when the
terminal GPS RAIM
route is contained within the WAAS Prediction. Download
coverage area (RAIM Prediction is
for free at www.uasc.com.
required when outside the WAAS
coverage area). Operators of older FMSs, which are certified to
TSO-C115, must complete RAIM Predications as described in
AC 90-100A. Refer to Universal Avionics Service Letter No. 2804:
”UASC FMS Compliance with FAA Advisory Circular 90-100A” for
compliance information specific to your FMS version.
New Product News
WAAS and Weather All-In-One Antenna
Look for more new
product announcements
during the 61st Annual
NBAA Meeting and Convention. Visit Universal
Avionics Booth #4359 for a product demonstration.
Universal is pleased to announce the addition of a dual-element GPS/WAAS
and WSI antenna to its product line. The new antenna is ideal for those who
want WSI InFlight weather capabilities but have limited aircraft space or
location for a stand-alone antenna. It has the same footprint as the current
GPS/WAAS antenna. Look for antenna P/N 10709 later this year.
Tucson Training Center
Contact: Carol Jett
Universal Avionics Systems Corp.
3260 E. Universal Way
Tucson, AZ 85756
Tel: (520) 295-2383 or (800) 595-5906
Fax: (520) 295-2384
Email: cjett@uasc.com
Wichita Training Center
Contact: Katie Cornette
Universal Avionics Systems Corp.
3815 Midco St.
Wichita, KS 67215
Tel: (316) 524-9500 or (800) 255-0282
Fax: (316) 524-9700
Email: kcornette@uasc.com
WAAS Training Is Here
Universal Avionics Training Department is pleased to announce the addition
of WAAS/SBAS-FMS operator and technician training classes to its schedule.
Training classes are the most comprehensive way to learn how to operate
and maintain your FMS. Universal’s “hands-on” approach allows you to fully
explore the features of the FMS to best fit your needs.
Courses are available in our Tucson, AZ or
Wichita, KS locations; worldwide on-site training
may also be arranged. Training is available for a
wide range of Universal Avionics products.
To schedule a course, contact the facility
nearest you or call (800) 595-5906.
Receive The Universal Flyer by mail or email. To update your mailing preferences, email universalflyer@uasc.com or call 1-800-321-5253.

Page 2
Volume 1, Issue 3
RNAV and RNP: Clearing the Air
What is RNAV? RNP? Is my FMS compliant?
Does it need to be?
These are just a few of many questions we
field everyday about RNAV and RNP. As
two of the most complex subjects of GPSbased
navigation, it can be extremely confusing
to operators and installers alike.
While we don't have room to go into detail
about specific aircraft requirements, let’s
address some of the basics behind RNAV
and RNP.
What is RNAV?
Area Navigation (RNAV) is a method of
navigation that allows an aircraft to fly any
desired path or flight plan within the coverage
of ground-based or satellite-based navigation
aids. Traditional flight paths require
aircraft to navigate directly to and
from a specific ground-based navigation
aid, but RNAV allows aircraft
to navigate directly from a
given departure to an arrival point.
Am I RNAV Compliant?
Current G round
NAVAIDs
to Universal Avionics Service Letter No.
2804: ”UASC FMS Compliance with FAA
Advisory Circular 90-100A” for compliance
information specific to your FMS version.
What is RNP?
The term “RNP” is used in several different
contexts. Required Navigation Performance
(RNP) can refer to a type of RNAV operation
requiring additional performance capabilities.
Aircraft approved for RNP operations
must have equipment that provides
onboard navigation containment, performance
monitoring and alerting capabilities.
The term “RNP” may also refer to a certain
navigational performance necessary for aircraft
operating within a defined airspace; not
necessarily equipped with containment
Conventional
Routes
RNAV
Routes
Waypoints
RNP
Routes
Narrow TERPS
parameters or alerting functionality. For
instance, RNP-10 and RNP-4 are oceanic
airspace areas defined by the FAA that require
specific operational approval. Two
current European RNP airspace requirements
are B-RNAV and P-RNAV, which are
outlined in AC 90-96A.
What is the RNP level of my FMS?
An FMS alone cannot be certified for RNP
operations. An aircraft is certified to a particular
RNP level, which is based on the
aircraft’s capabilities to meet performance
level requirements.
In order to receive FAA approval for RNP,
an operator must meet both aircraft airworthiness
requirements as well as operational
requirements. Among the requirements,
the operators must have a statement
in their AFMS or approval
from their Principal Avionics Inspector
(PAI) establishing that the
aircraft meets the equipment requirements.
Seamless
Vertical
Path
Aircraft must have a combination of
TSO-C129 or C146 certified GPS
sensors or TSO-C115 FMS, and a
current navigation database. RNAV
aircraft equipage requirements are
outlined in FAA Advisory Circular
(AC) 90-100A. Most Universal
FMSs are RNAV-compliant. Refer
Current Ground
NAVAIDs
IncreasedAirspace
Efficiency
“curved”
paths
Optimized
Use of Airspace
Universal WAAS/SBAS-FMSs and
Super FMSs (SCN 80X/90X and
later) meet the performance monitoring
and alerting requirements for
RNP approval. Please contact Customer
Support at 1-800-595-5906
with any questions regarding FMS
compliance for RNP operations.
Software and Hardware Updates
Terrain Database
Terrain DB 0805 approved for
TAWS P/N 3010-XX-XX and
Vision-1 ® P/N 3015-00-00 on
6/9/08.
EFI-890R
SCN 1017.1.2 approved
6/11/08 for P/N 8904-35533-0X.
This minor software change
adds configuration support for
several new aircraft types.
SCN 1017.1.3 expected 4th
quarter. This minor software
change adds further configuration
support for several new
aircraft types.
CCP
Cursor Control Panel (CCP)
SCN 12.0 approval expected 4th
quarter. Minor Software change
adds dual CCP capabilities in
ASU/EFI-890R installations.
GPS/WAAS Antenna
GPS/WAAS and WSI Antenna,
P/N 10709, expected 4th quarter.
Provides WSI InFlight
capabilities via the Sirius satellite
network for WAAS/SBAS-FMS
and ASU installations.
UniLink 701
SCN 22.X ETSO approved
6/10/08.

Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 3
Introducing…
The Technical Marketing Department
Is there any “plug and play” to your cockpit? If there is, it probably won’t be that way for long.
Integrated avionics, such as electrical instruments and all-in-one FMSs, have made the “plug and play”
environment something of the past. Subsequently, seamless integration between various manufacturers’
equipment is more important than ever, especially in retrofit installations.
As a company dedicated to serving the retrofit market, Universal Avionics made a recent change to its
organizational structure in order to facilitate resolution of complex integration challenges efficiently and
effectively as possible. Without further ado, let us introduce our new Technical Marketing Department.
“The emergence of digital cockpits
and integrated avionics has made
installations more complex; we saw
the need for a dedicated team to
support our products in the installation
design and process. This assures the
installation takes advantage of all the
rich features of our equipment.”
– Paul DeHerrera,
Chief Operating Officer
Comprised of talented engineers with exceptional skill and experience in integrating various avionics systems
and led by a seasoned Universal manager, the Technical Marketing Department will support the upfront
development of interfaces, review latest products and provide integration support for new installation platforms. While Universal has long
utilized an extensive lab and engineering team for integration research, this group is fully dedicated to new integrations and is aligned within the
marketing department to ensure technical details are discussed early in the sales process. In essence, mitigating risk during system integration.
Leading the new team is 16-year Universal Avionics veteran, Grady Dees, as Director of Technical Marketing. Mr. Dees has held a number of
positions at Universal, most recently as Director of Engineering Services. The group has extensive and varied experience in systems integration
and STC project management of large corporate and heavy transport aircraft, as well as with OEMs. Combined, the team has over 50 years
experience at Universal Avionics alone.
The Technical Marketing group has streamlined the investigative research
and installation design process by developing a standardized
data collection method and a centralized knowledge base. The UASC
Equipment Survey spreadsheet, for instance, is a valuable tool for gathering
information about the existing aircraft installation. Based on the
equipment survey, the group provides feedback to the dealer on issues
with compatibility and suggested solutions. With a completed equipment
survey, a proposed port allocation spreadsheet can be provided
that identifies a suggested basic integration design.
Grady Dees (sitting) with Scott Sides, Jason Mason and Ernie Lear in the Integration Lab
The key to an effective and efficient (ultimately successful) installation
is to start communication as early as possible in the design process.
By taking a proactive approach, we can field issues that can be
anticipated and respond more effectively to those that are unexpected.
Service Bulletins and Letters
SB/SL No. Release Date Title
SL2815 6/3/08 Installation Considerations for Universal's WAAS FMS
SL2814 6/6/08 Compliance Summary for RNP-4 Operations
SB3220 7/16/08 Introduction of SCN 11.4 for Class A and B TAWS
SB3293 7/24/08 Announcement of the Availability of TAWS Terrain Database 0805
SB3296 8/18/08 Installation of SCN 1017.1.2 in EFI-890R PFD and ND System
SB3292 8/21/08 Introduction of the LP/LPV Monitor P/N 3116-52-1110
SB3297 ALERT 8/27/08 WAAS FMS SCN 1000.X/1100.X Flight Plan Crossfill Operations
This Just In...
Technical Publications released a new
EFI-890R Flat Panel Display Operator’s
Manual, Report No. 34-20-08.02. This
manual is effective for SCN 1017.1.X
only. Additions to the manual include a
description of the video capabilities that
was added in SCN 1017.1.X .
The current EFI-890R Operator’s Manual,
Report No. 34-20-08.01, will be
revised to reflect applicability for all
software versions prior to SCN 1017.1.X.

Why You Should Upgrade Your Avionics in 2008
Volume 1, Issue 3
On the fence about cockpit upgrades? If your
business is based in the U.S., it may be worthwhile to
check with your tax advisor about limited-time tax
incentives that could provide substantial cost savings.
The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 - legislation that
provided the stimulus checks for individuals earlier
this year - also contains tax incentives for businesses.
The act includes provisions that allow accelerated
depreciation for aircraft purchases and expands the
Section 179 Expensing code.
The Section 179 Expensing code allows businesses
to treat certain purchases as expenses, which can
therefore be deducted in the first year of service.
Operating expenses for business-use aircraft,
including capital improvements to aircraft avionics,
interior or engines, meet this provision.
The Economic Stimulus Act expanded Section
179 by increasing the total amount of expenses
the business can deduct from $128,000 to
$250,000. This applies to modifications,
refurbishments, improvements, and additions
and replacements of avionics equipment.
For capital purposes exceeding $250,000,
businesses can first take advantage of the
Section 179 incentive, then apply “Bonus
Deprecation” for the remainder of the cost.
Reminiscent of “Hurry! Limited Time Offer”
taglines, the Economic Stimulus Act applies
only to purchases placed into service in 2008.
Businesses could garner substantial savings by
completing upgrades in the next few months
rather than putting them off until next year.*
Inside this issue:
RAIM Prediction -
More Important Than
Ever
1
New Product News 1
RNAV and RNP:
Clearing the Air
Software and
Hardware Updates
Introducing...The
Technical Marketing
Department
Service Bulletins
and Letters
2
2
3
3
*Please discuss your specific situation with your tax or legal advisor so that you can plan your strategy properly.
© 2008 Universal Avionics Systems Corporation. All rights reserved. The Universal Flyer is intended for general information purposes only. Universal does not assume or accept
responsibility for any use of such information. Universal technical manuals and operator’s manuals take precedence over the content of this publication.
3260 E. Universal Way
Tucson, AZ 85756
Corporate Offices
Marketing/Support
3260 E. Universal Way
Tucson, AZ 85756 U.S.A.
Tel: (520) 295-2300
(800) 321-5253
Fax: (520) 295-2395
Internet
www.uasc.com
E-mail: info@uasc.com