De Havilland selects Universal Avionics for Dash 8 upgrades
De Havilland Canada has selected Universal Avionics (UA) to supply avionics as part of flight deck upgrades to its Dash 8 series 100 and 200 fixed-wing aircraft
UA’s InSight Display System will be used to modernize the aircraft type to increase operational efficiency and digital capabilities with connected solutions.
The InSight installation on the Dash 8 will feature five high-resolution LCD displays with improved synthetic vision and digital engine indication, replacing aging CRT displays. This will reduce overall weight and increase available payload.
Precision navigation will be enabled down to required navigational performance authorization required (RNP AR) 0.1, while new terrain awareness warning systems will enhance situational awareness.
Dual touchscreen controllers and KAPTURE recorders will offer streamlined pilot and maintenance workflows, complemented by UniLink data communications and UA’s FlightPartner and FlightReview applications.
UA stated that it believes the automated database delivery will help technicians save around 45 minutes on aircraft updates each month.
Norwegian-based Widerøes Flyveselskap (Widerøe) will be the first customer for the new system.
Variants of the Dash 8 – such as the Dash 8-400AT and Dash 8-400MRE – are a popular choice for operators conducting aerial firefighting operations.
TracPlus recently launched its FireFlyte digital platform for aerial firefighting.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.