L3 Communications announced an upgrade to their SmartDeck integrated flight deck, with the addition of synthetic vision. The new system changes the PFD view to show terrain, obstacles and runways. The obstructions and terrain are color-coded and part of a TAWS-B warning system. Additional upgrades included GPS WAAS support, additional weather options for WSI weather and several minor changes. One feature we found particularly handy was the system showing in text the name of the facility tuned on the radio.
L3’s SmartDeck is currently installed on the prototype Cirrus Vision Jet, but even Cirrus has not committed to L3 for production models. SmartDeck could be a strong contender to Garmin’s G1000 flight deck if L3 can get a manufacturer to sign on. L3 also introduced its Trilogy ESI-1000 Electronic Standby Instrument that essentially puts airspeed, altitude and attitude all in one 4-by-3 inch display.
