Dual Digital Automatic Flight Control System For L-382/C-130 Hercules Aircraft

L-382 CDS/R Instrument panel with Digital Flight Control System

On October 16, 2009 ASB received FAA approval to amend its Supplemental Type Certificate (STC #ST01162LA) to add a Dual Digital Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) to its existing 5-display Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) suite.

The amended STC replaces obsolete analog flight director/autopilot systems prevalent in existing Lockheed L-382 and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

The AFCS, based on Honeywell’s Primus 1000 product line, will complement ASB’s previously FAA certified Honeywell Control Display System for Retrofit (CDS/R) Electronics Flight Instrument System (EFIS) and ASB developed Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS). With the latest amendment, the ASB AMP replaces all existing analog flight director displays and autopilot components, substantially reducing Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) and wire count. The high Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), low acquisition costs, and auto-flight characteristic improvements will help in reducing Life Cycle Costs (LCC) and improve the functionality, safety, and useful life of legacy L-382/C-130 airframes.

According to Jose Hernandez, General Manager of Tepper Aviation, Inc., “Improved flight characteristics include automatic altitude select, more accurate altitude and course capture. It also is able to maintained desired altitude during all flap cycles within 25 feet. The system includes four functions of vertical and horizontal navigation packaged in a single highly visible and user friendly unit. The flight control system has been tested on all facets of instrument flying at a success rate of 100%. The improved functionality of the system will increase the useful life of legacy L382 aircraft into the indefinite future.”

ASB’s AMP also includes dual digital Air Data Computers (ADC), triple Inertial Reference Sensors (IRS), dual Global Positioning System (GPS) based Flight Management Systems (FMS), dual Communication/Navigation/Surveillance (CNS), TCAS-II, EGPWS, Weather Radar, and replaces the existing pitot/static sensors on earlier serial numbered aircraft. Also available are optional Advanced File Graphics Servers (AFGS) and dorsal mounted HF Shunt Antenna. The flexible architecture of the CDS/R-AFCS allows for future growth and alternate CNS, FMS, INS, and radar selections to accommodate civil or Government applications.