Universal Avionics (UA) has launched its FlightPartner and FlightReview applications. Hosted on an iPad and initially connected to Universal’s WAAS/SBAS enabled flight management system by introducing wi-fi enablement of existing equipment, these applications make possible comprehensive two-way interactions between the FMS and the apps, and between the tablet and UA’s cloud-based infrastructure for data analytics. The applications will be available by the end of the first quarter of 2022 and represent the first step in UA’s goal of creating a connectivity enabled ecosystem across its avionics solutions.

These connected applications streamline and enhance the interactions between the flight operations team (pilots, maintenance personnel and so on) and the FMS before, during and post flight. By providing relevant analytics of each flight, they enable operators to optimise flight operations and aircraft availability for each aircraft or a fleet.

The connectivity ecosystem brings to UA’s customers a connected, open and data centric environment to enhance mission preparedness on the ground, in the air and post flight. Optimising day to day operations and maintenance, the ecosystem utilises a robust cyber secure, portable and cloud-based platform to deliver avionics centric solutions and support services, including the use of a third party applications and content.

“FlightPartner and FlightReview are UA’s early steps in a push towards the creation of a dynamic connectivity ecosystem, tying our various avionics systems to a suite of applications and expanded services that our customers will be able to use 24/7/365”, says Dror Yahav, Universal Avionics CEO. “After the initial deployment of the products we plan to introduce many others in the coming months and years to come.”

With FlightPartner, operators will be able to build, brief and file a complete flight plan on their tablet using a convivial graphical interface, upload it to the FMS upon aircraft power-up and dynamically alter it throughout the flight, directly on their iPad, as FlightPartner is tightly coupled to the navigation data of the FMS. Additionally, when connected to ground infrastructure, FlightPartner facilitates access to accurate weather information, displayed in horizontal and vertical profiles, to assist flight planning and operations, for example by prepopulating the flight plan with winds and temperatures aloft, saving valuable time and increasing efficiency.

UA is also introducing Aperture, a sensor fusion and augmented reality platform that will provide a new level of situational awareness and improved decision-making to flight crews and mission specialists. Initially oriented towards multi-sensor video management, this family of products can process a variety of video and sensor inputs to deliver real-time content analysis, such as visual positioning, obstacle detection, taxi guidance and traffic awareness.

Currently in advanced development with certification and delivery scheduled for Q3 2022, the initial release of Aperture will process eight video inputs supporting up to four video outputs with near zero latency at a design assurance Level A, the highest criticality attainable in aviation.

UA and its parent company, Elbit Systems, are market leaders in vision systems. “At Universal Avionics, we are continually leveraging the deep pool of technology and culture of innovation of the greater enterprise to advance our systems,” says Yahav. “The Aperture suite of capabilities will establish a new benchmark in sensor fusion, AI-powered augmented reality and ultimately aircraft safety.”