First Piaggio Avanti equipped for LPV with Universal Avionics' WAAS/SBAS-FMS

Universal Avionics' long-time customer, Advanced Aerospace Solutions (AdvAero), recently upgraded its Piaggio P.180 Avanti human factors research aircraft with a WAAS/SBAS-capable UNS-1Ew Flight Management System (FMS) and LP/LPV Monitor. Mid-Canada Mod Center (MC2), a Universal Avionics Authorized Dealer, performed the upgrade at their Toronto, Canada, Pearson International Airport location. This is the first Avanti equipped to be able to make use of Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) Area Navigation (RNAV) (GNSS) approaches.

"We're privileged at Universal to have been selected to provide the FMS solution that the AdvAero team of test pilots and engineers will use in this unique platform for developing and testing new cockpit technologies. Special-use aircraft are a core focus for us," said Norm Matheis, Universal's Regional Sales Manager for Canada.

According to John Maris, CEO of AdvAero, "As CEO, I was responsible for the procurement of a flight management system to meet the challenging requirements of our Piaggio flight research platform. AdvAero's NextGen and NASA R&D and certification projects require full WAAS RNP and LPV approach capabilities, which were not options for the production aircraft at the time I made my decision. After careful evaluation of the available systems, I selected the Universal UNS-1Ew with an LP/LPV monitor, because of the system's combination of powerful integrated features, ease of use, and the extraordinary support provided by the company. Universal's superb after-sales and technical support has been essential for many of AdvAero's past program successes, and consequently those of its very demanding customers."

With Universal Avionics' WAAS/SBAS-capable UNS-1Ew FMS, the operator has access to RNAV approach types including those with RNAV (GNSS) LPV Level of Service. With Minimum Descent Altitudes (MDA) as low as 200 feet, with ½ mile visibility, this approach type improves safety and accessibility to airports which have much higher approach minima or no other published approach type at all. Enroute maneuvering features include a dedicated Direct-To function, FMS heading function, PVOR tracking, full-featured Vertical Navigation (VNAV) and user-defined holding patterns.

The LP/LPV monitor provides monitoring and positioning information for RNAV (GNSS) approaches with LPV minima. The unit incorporates a second SBAS receiver to monitor the guiding WAAS/SBAS-FMS.