With the turn of the year, I am excited to introduce a new T &T editorial series called “Emerging Tech.”
The concept for this series is as straightforward as it sounds: A section of the magazine dedicated to spotlighting a specific technology, product, STC, or upgrade that is new-to-market or potentially lesser known to aircraft owners of high-performance pistons, turboprops and jets. The piece might pertain to weather, performance, safety, comfort, training – the boundaries are wide set.
To launch the series this issue, we highlight two separate STC’s: ASI’s auxiliary heading selector for King Airs and Cutter Aviation’s MaXus APU for Pilatus.
ASI’s (Aerospace Systems International) pedestal-mounted auxiliary heading selector illustrates how a small component can make a big impact. The Wichita-based company developed an auxiliary heading selector STC for Collins Pro Line 21 and Fusion-equipped B200- and B300-series King Airs. The STC was created to better the safety, ergonomics and workload of King Air pilots. The installation also includes an option to add USB A/C charging ports. You can read more on page 20.
And following the ASI piece on page 22, you will find information on Cutter Aviation’s recently unveiled APU unit. The company teamed up with Advanced Innovative Engineering (AIE), HFE International, Acutronic, and U.S. Technical Consultants to design an APU for the PC-12 and PC-24. The unit couples a 45-horsepower Wankel Rotary engine with a starter-alternator which provides 300 amp (8.4KW) 28-volt DC power. The company expects STC approval later this year.
Our industry is constantly innovating and our goal with Emerging Tech is to regularly feature and review some of the latest and greatest (and coolest) innovations out there. If you have a product you would like to see featured or reviewed in a future issue, feel free to submit your ideas to my email below.
