Pilatus PC-12 NG to Receive Aspen Avionics’ Connected Panel

Stephen Pope

Friday, May 31, 2013 at 10:08 PM ET

Verified

** Pilatus PC-12 NG**

Key Takeaways:

Pilatus is integrating Aspen Avionics' Connected Panel technology into its PC-12 NG aircraft to provide in-cockpit Wi-Fi capabilities.
This upgrade enables pilots to wirelessly upload flight plans, chart, navigation, and terrain databases from an iPad directly to the avionics system, and download maintenance data.
Passengers can also connect their iPads to access a moving map showing current location and ETA.
The Aspen hardware upgrade costs approximately $16,500 and will be available for new and in-service PC-12 NG airplanes, with initial deliveries planned for this summer.

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Pilatus was the first manufacturer to start giving airplane buyers a free Apple iPad loaded with owner’s manuals and apps. Now the Swiss company is adding in-cockpit Wi-Fi capability by offering an option to incorporate Aspen Avionics’ Connected Panel technology with the PC-12 NG’s Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system.

The upgrade will enable pilots to upload flight plans created on the iPad directly into the certified avionics with a couple of button presses. Other Connected apps being designed for use with Apex include wireless upload of chart, navigation and terrain databases to the cockpit and download of maintenance data. Passengers can sync their iPads as well by downloading an app that shows a moving map updated with current location and ETA. Jeppesen, Honeywell, Pilatus and Aspen are each developing apps for Connected Panel in the PC-12.