L-3 Avionics Systems' Trilogy™ ESI-2000 selected for PiperJet Altaire

Piper Aircraft Inc. has selected L-3 Avionics Systems' Trilogy™ ESI-2000 Electronic Standby Instrument with battery backup as standard equipment for the new PiperJet Altaire, a seven-seat very light jet being developed for the general aviation market.

The joint announcement was made today at the NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention by the two aviation companies. The recently TSO'd ESI-2000 is a safety-enhancing digital standby instrument designed to complement today's glass avionics. The Trilogy ESI will be on display at NBAA in the L-3 Booth, #4308.

"Safety and situational awareness are paramount in speedy, single-pilot operated turbine aircraft, and a Trilogy ESI in the cockpit enhances both," said Larry Riddle, vice president of business development for L-3 Avionics Systems. "Trilogy provides a clear and constant source of backup data that acts as a safeguard for the electrical system and air data computer. Should either system become disabled, the ESI provides information the pilot needs to make a safe landing."

"Piper is pleased to have L-3's Trilogy flying on the PiperJet Altaire," said Piper Executive Vice President Randy Groom. "The Trilogy ESI-2000 fits smartly into the PiperJet Altaire's integrated flight deck, which offers a revolutionary interface between pilot and avionics while eliminating visual clutter."

The Trilogy ESI-2000 is an advanced solid-state standby instrument designed to bring the safety and precision of an all-glass cockpit configuration to a variety of aircraft. By displaying attitude, altitude, airspeed and optional heading data in a layout that matches most primary flight displays, the Trilogy ESI eliminates the disorienting effect of transitioning from digital to analog flight instruments during an emergency. This helps pilots quickly regain aircraft control if the primary displays malfunction. Single-screen backup flight information also saves weight and panel space by replacing up to three standby instruments.

A sharp, 3.7-inch backlit screen makes the ESI-2000 clearly visible in daylight conditions as well as in a dark cockpit. And with an integrated air data computer, solid-state attitude sensor and optional external magnetometer, the unit is insulated from potential faults in the aircraft's primary systems. Independent operation also provides supporting flight data that can be used to verify the accuracy of other instruments.

The Trilogy ESI's four-button pilot interface, automatic brightness control and dimensions that match the standard 3-ATI mounting cutout make it easy to operate and install. Once activated, the ESI-2000 is typically aligned and ready for flight in less than two minutes. It can also re-align during flight, if needed.

In addition, the ESI-2000 includes an on-screen slip indicator, which helps pilots stay coordinated without referring to other instruments in a dark cockpit, and a pop-up metric window, which facilitates quick altitude conversions during international flights. Software and Complex Electronic Hardware for the ESI-2000 were developed to Design Assurance Level A, the highest safety standard acknowledged by the FAA.

Emergency operation of the ESI-2000 is achieved through the use of a durable and high energy density lithium-ion cell. With an excellent power-to-weight ratio and favorable self-discharge characteristics, the integrated battery can maintain peak power over long periods of disuse to operate at full capacity when called upon. The ESI is designed to supply usable flight data for a minimum of one hour and up to four hours on battery power, depending on temperature exposure. Following emergency use, the battery is recharged by the aircraft's electrical system with no need for removal or inspection. The battery's maximum capacity is monitored by the ESI computer, which will notify the pilot when replacement is necessary.

L-3 Avionics Systems also offers the Trilogy ESI-1000 model, which features the same capabilities as the ESI-2000, but without the battery backup. These instruments were developed with L-3 Avionics Systems' advanced solid-state expertise, which has made the company a leader in electronic standby instrument systems for high-end aircraft. The Trilogy electronic standby instruments bring this expertise to the general aviation market.