Introducing the EFIS Horizon...

                                                   ...say goodbye to vacuum.

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o  Primary Flight Data, Graphical Engine Data,   Moving Map|
o  Electronic Attiude/Heading Reference System (AHRs)
o  Single- or Multi-function Display Units from $1995 to $5950

Its easy to get excited about the functionality of the Horizon EFIS, but it’s more than just features.

The Horizon EFIS is engineered from the ground up without compromises. Small details, like a sunlight readable display, a wide –15 to +160 deg F operating temperature range, and an attitude/heading reference system (AHRS) that is built to aerospace standards could easily go unnoticed…and that is exactly the idea.

Instead, what you notice how naturally all flight information is communicated…how seamlessly navigation and attitude are combined with a highway in the sky presentation, and the flexibility of the user-customizable features.

The Horizon EFIS goes far beyond the functions of conventional instruments. The elimination of mechanical instrumentation provides advantages not only in the reliability and freedom from maintenance, but also the ability to provide data not previously available, and in a format that more naturally communicates the state of the aircraft to the pilot. 

Primary Flight Data Screen Layout

The EFIS Horizon Series I features:

o  Highway In the Sky Guidance – effortless and intuitive 3-dimensional guidance 
o  Vertical Guidance – Never miss an assigned altitude, or begin a descent too late.
o  User Defined Approach – Vertical and lateral guidance for ILS like approaches to any airport.
o  Digital and graphical display of GPS data
o  Unlimited Pitch and Roll – no gimbal limits!
o  Slaved Directional Gyro – No manual input required!
o  Airspeed, Altitude, and Vertical Speed – No delicate mechanical movements.
o  True Airspeed
o  Density Altitude
o  Outside Air Temperature
o  Wind Speed and Direction – Continuously computed.
o  G-meter
o  Complete engine monitoring – Graphical displays to enhance pilot awareness of engine operation.
o  Moving Map – with gyro-stabilized for smooth, no jerk screen updates.
o  Altitude Encoder Output
o  High speed processor for smooth and seamless (no jerk) display
o  User-selectable and programmable screens with split screen or full screen modes
o  Alarms and Redlines user settable
o  Instant Start-up – 15 second gyro alignment time

And those are just a few of the features of the primary flight data display.  

Other features include:

o  Sophisticated AHRS/GPS cross-check
o  No Vacuum pump, filter, or maintenance.
o  Simple Installation – Much easier than traditional gyro/vacuum systems.
o  No mechanical parts to wear out
o  Localizer, Glideslope, and Auto Pilot Ready

It’s hard to overstate the dramatic improvement the highway-in-the-sky steering provides over traditional instruments. Not only are lateral and vertical steering errors reduced by 50-80%, but pilot workload is also reduced, and the ability to capture a desired path it greatly improved (Barrows, A.K, et. al., 2001).

But the functionality does not end there. The Horizon EFIS also provides graphical engine displays, and a moving map with the push of a button. View full screen displays of this data, or select a split-screen modes allow viewing this data and primary flight data simultaneously.

Engine data from a Proven Engine Monitor

Engine data is provided to the Horizon EFIS via the proven and well-known Engine Information System line of automated engine monitoring.  The reliability and robustness of the EIS is well established. It has distinguished itself for its tolerance of both physical (vibration) and electromagnetic fields (noise from ignition systems, radios, etc.) throughout its 12 years of operational experience.  All engine parameters displayed on the EIS can be viewed with combination analog and digital displays. The same leaning and EGT tracking functions that have distinguished the EIS, are also included in the Horizon EFIS.

Graphical Engine Monitor Screen Layout

Moving Map

 The EFIS Horizon includes a moving map, displaying all U.S. airports and navaids, as well as any user-created waypoint selected on your GPS as the current goto.   This provides an excellent improvement over the limited display used on many hand held or panel mount GPS receivers. It also adds top-of-climb and top-of-descent indicators, winds, predicted fuel reserve at each airport, waypoint data, and more. . Future enhancements of the moving map are planned, although at this time we recommend that any detailed navigation features be included in the GPS you use with the Horizon EFIS.  Database updates are available at no charge.

Moving Map Screen Layout

Split Screens

Simply pushing a single button allows you to toggle between full screen views of the three primary pages,and split screen versions which depict reduced size versions of any combination of the three primary pages.

Split Screen Layouts

Designed to Eliminate Vacuum Systems

The Horizon EFIS is designed from the ground up to eliminate vacuum systems. Its low power consumption (0.5 amps), and dual isolated power inputs (allowing it to be powered by either of 2 buses) pose little demands on the aircraft’s electrical system design. This allows for a simple, two bus electrical system, requiring only a single alternator and our optional charging diode.

GPS-Independent   AHRs

For obvious reasons of safety, the pitch, roll and gyro-stabilized heading sensed by the attitude/heading reference system (AHRs) must be of high integrity. That is why our AHRs is based on high quality sensors, proven mathematical algorithms, and is not dependent on outside sources, such as GPS.

Some AHRs are dependent on GPS data for proper operation. Introducing GPS into the attitude calculations has many drawbacks. Loss of GPS data can mean unexpected loss of attitude data.  Degradation of the GPS data, such as can occur with various atmospheric or satellite constellation configurations, due to the re-activation of selective availability, airframe icing of the GPS antenna, interference from radar, etc., can have unexpected effects on attitude data which relay upon it. Redundancy is meaningless in aircraft that use 2 AHRs systems which are both GPS dependent.   In short, attitude data should not be dependent on GPS, or any other sensor source whose integrity or availability cannot be assured.

Magnetometers (flux gates) provide the heading reference source needed to allow independence from GPS data. This is the reason a magnetometer for sensing magnetic heading is a standard with the Horizon EFIS.  Our attitude data is based on its own sensors, including a 3-axis flux gate sensor, and 3-axis accelerometers, and 3-axis angular rate gyros,  and is not dependent any external signals, such as GPS. Loss of GPS data will not result is loss of attitude data with the Horizon EFIS.  It is perfectly acceptable to operate the Horizon EFIS without any GPS data.

For fully independent AHRs, such as the Horizon EFIS, GPS data can aid in the self-testing of the AHRs system.  In effect, the addition of GPS data, along with the fully independent AHRs set of electronic gyros, magnetometers, and accelerometers, provides more data than is required for the calculation of attitude and heading.  The Horizon EFIS takes advantage of this data redundancy by using sophisticated mathematical algorithms that are able to provide self-testing of the AHRs system whenever GPS data is available…even when taxiing.

Independent AHRs Processor

Even a momentary interruption in processing can jeopardize the integrity of AHRs data. That is why the Horizon EFIS utilizes an processor dedicated solely to performing AHRs sensor measurement and processing. This processor does not have the overhead of a large operating system, nor any tasks unrelated to the calculation of attitude, heading, and related data. Its designed purely to provide high integrity, high reliability, flight-critical data.

Easy Software and Database Updates

A USB port allows the ultimate ease in updating of databases, future software upgrades, or downloading of recorded logbook and engine data. A USB flashdrive (disk on key, small enough to fit on your keychain), is all that is required.

Automatic Logbook and Engine Data Recording

It’s the end of tedious logbook entries. The Horizon EFIS detects the beginning and end of a flight, and records the date, time, start and end locations, and time of flight automatically. This data is recorded in non-volatile memory, and can be reviewed on the display, or downloaded using via a USB flashdrive.

Extensive engine and air data can also be recorded and downloaded, allowing precise evaluation of airplane and engine performance, and provides an outstanding aid for the troubleshooting of intermittent engine problems.

Pricing

All versions of the EFIS Horizon Series I, and EFIS Series I Display unit require a GPS to display GPS related data, and/or an EIS Model 4000/6000/9000 to display engine data. These items are not included, and must be purchased separately.

Dual Display Installations - The EFIS Series I is the perfect size to allow two systems to fit in the instrument panel in front of the pilot. This allows any combination of Horizon Series I units, and/or Series I display units to be combined. Connecting two EFIS Horizon Series I units together provides automatic cross-checks of roll, pitch, heading, airspeed and altitude data. 

EFIS Horizon Series I - $5950 -  The "Horizon"  includes an internal AHRs electronic gyro package, air data computer, and external magnetometer, and cable assembly. Provides primary flight data, graphical engine monitoring, and moving map.  

EFIS Series I Full Display Unit - $2495 –  Provides the identical capability of the EFIS Horizon Series I, except it does not include the AHRs electronic gyro package and air data computer.  Capable of displaying primary flight data (with connection to an EFIS Horizon Series I),  graphical engine monitoring (when connected to an EIS Model 4000/6000/9000),  and moving map (when connected to a GPS). Can be upgraded to include to a Horizon Series I for the price difference + $50.

EFIS Series I Engine/Map/PFD Display Unit - $1995 –  The low-cost way to add flat panel technology to your airplane. This display unit provides only the primary flight display, OR the graphical engine display, OR the moving map. An excellent way to add one of the three main functions to your airplane, at minimum cost. For example, the EFIS Series I Engine Display unit provide the ideal way to add graphical engine monitoring when used the EIS.  Flexible upgrade options allow you to add additional functions for $250 each, without removing the instrument from the airplane. Can be upgraded to include to a Horizon Series I for the price difference + $50.

EIS Model 4000 Package - $995 - Includes the EIS Model 4000 instrument, 4 EGT probes, 4 bayonet type CHT probes, 4 bayonet adapters, oil temperature and oil pressure sensors, and 6' long pre-wired cables. Add the fuel flow option for $375.

EIS Model 6000 Package - $1185 - Includes the EIS Model 6000 instrument, 6 EGT probes, 6 bayonet type CHT probes, 6 bayonet adapters, oil temperature and oil pressure sensors, and 6' long pre-wired cables. Add the fuel flow option for $375.

Configuring the EIS for your Lycoming/Continental Engine

Availability: Delivery of fully functional units to begin no later than October 15, 2003

Warranty:

Just like the EIS, we back up our products with a one year trial period. If any time in the first year you are not satisfied with the Horizon EFIS for any reason, you may return it for a full refund. A 3-year parts and labor warranty begins the day you put the Horizon EFIS into service, or one year after purchase.

Specifications:

Max Angular Rate:  greater than 150 degrees/second, all axis simultaneously. 
Pitch and Roll Angles Range : Unlimited
Operating Temperature Range: -15 to +160 deg F   ( -25 to +70 deg C)
Storage Temperature Range: -25 to +185 deg F (-30 to + 85 deg C)
Maximum rate of change of temperature: Unlimited
Long Term Reference : Accelerometer and Magnetometer (not GPS dependent)
Display: Sunlight readable. Min Backlight intensity : 3 nits.
Airspeed Ranges : 24-235 mph indicated, 35 – 290 mph indicated, 50-600 mph indicated.
Altimeter: -1000 to +35,000 feet. Meets IFR accuracy requirements.
Magnetic Heading : <5 degrees error – gyro-stabilized

Physical Dimensions:

Overall Size of Faceplate : 7.0" wide x 5.0" high
Size of opening required in instrument panel : 6.5" wide x 4.625" high.
Maximum Depth 8.0"
Weight: Less than 4.0 lbs.

Electrical Requirements:

9-20 Vdc 0.5 amp.
Isolated, dual power inputs are provided for the display processor, and also for the
AHRs processor. 

Grand Rapids Technologies, Inc.
889 76th St SW #2
Byron Center, MI 49315
616 583-8000
fax 616 583-8000
www.GRTavionics.com
email : sales@grtavionics.com

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*Barrows, A.K, Alter, K.W, Enge, P., Parkinson, B.W, Powell, J.D.(2001). Operational Experience with and
Improvements to a Tunnel-in-the-Sky Display for Light Aircraft. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford University.