L-3 Avionics Systems has received Technical Standards Order (TSO) approval from the FAA for its newest electronic standby instrument system (ESIS), the GH-3900. The unit meets Level A hardware and software standards and was designed for installation in transport category and general aviation aircraft (though not for airplanes with a gross weight below 6,000 pounds).
The GH-3900 eliminates the need for backup round gauges and displays altitude, attitude, airspeed, heading and navigation information on a color LCD display. Though the GH-3900 is more than half a pound lighter than the GH-3000, which as been on the market for 15 years, it has new features and better screen clarity with a sunlight readable Active Matrix LCD screen. The selector knob and menu button are illuminated and FMS, NAV, VOR, ILS and TACAN modes can be selected.
The new ESIS was selected by Rockwell Collins to be incorporated into the Pro Line Fusion Flight Deck, which has been selected by several OEMs. Additionally, the GH-3900 ESIS will be installed alongside the Garmin G5000 touchscreens in airplanes such as Cessna’s new Citation Ten and Bombardier’s Learjet 70 and 75, currently in development.
