FreeFlight Systems, a NextGen aviation leader, specializing in avionics design, development, and manufacturing, has announced that it has received a Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for the FDC-500 ARINC-429 digital to analog converter. This TSO approval will allow the FDC-500 to meet the FAA aftermarket replacement requirements for an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) aircraft part.
The FDC-500 has been designed to provide operators with a seamless replacement option for their existing legacy Honeywell KRA 405/405B radar altimeters. According to Tim Taylor, president and CEO of FreeFlight Systems, this TSO will grant more flexibility for operators requiring a certified radar altimeter upgrade.
“This is a significant achievement for the FDC-500, as it will allow more opportunities for operators to leverage this converter while keeping their original analog panel indicators,” explained Taylor. “The FDC-500 is an ideal retrofit solution for business legacy aircraft, and this TSO will ultimately increase its customization capabilities onboard more aircraft.
Released in October 2020, the converter has been engineered for regional airline transport, and heavy rotary-wing business aircraft platforms. When paired with FreeFlight’s RA4000/4500 radar altimeter, the FDC-500 provides a replacement for heavy, legacy radar altimeters while retaining current antennas, cabling, and indicators onboard an aircraft.
This press release was prepared and distributed by FreeFlight Systems.
