Spectrum Freedom S-40 Jet To Use Honeywell Primus Apex Avionics
Wednesday, 14 May 2008 00:21
Carlsbad, California - 5/14/08 - Spectrum Aeronautical announced today that it hasselected the Honeywell Primus Apex integrated avionics platform for its new Freedom S-40 mid-sized business jet.
Austin Blue, Spectrum’s President, said, “The Freedom is unique in the mid-size jet category because of its extraordinary capabilities and efficiency in a variety of missions. We feel Honeywell’s Primus Apex platform provides a combination of best-in-class features and rock-solid reliability that offer the flexibility our customers are looking for.”“Safety and reliability are key design considerations for the S-40, and so is the ability to
operate world-wide,” noted Blue, “so Primus Apex is perfectly in line with those
objectives. It’s already certified in several applications and, like our aircraft, Primus
Apex offers features typically found on business jets that cost millions more to purchase.
We’re confident that it will assure Freedom pilots easier flight deck operation and improved overall safety.”
“The Freedom is a game-changing platform that can take full advantage of the features we’ve incorporated into Primus Apex.,” said John Todd, Vice President, Business and General Aviation, Honeywell Aerospace. “Our system’s integration expertise will be an advantage for Spectrum as they continue the S-40’s development and certification program.”
Carey Matthews, President of Spectrum’s Aircraft Services division, remarked that, “I’m very impressed with Primus Apex, especially its ability to integrate with our on-aircraft trend monitoring. It will allow us to track operating performance by individual aircraft and across the Freedom fleet all the way to the component level. And, with more than six-hundred service centers worldwide, Honeywell’s ability to support the Primus Apex system and Freedom operators is second to none.”
The Primus Apex configuration for the Freedom features four screens: 15” primary flight displays (PFDs) at the crew stations, and two 10.4” multifunction displays (MFDs). All use Honeywell’s ultra-high resolution graphics, and the installation incorporates multiple redundancies for enhanced reliability. Additional features include advanced auto-flight control, graphical flight planning, true paperless charts and maps, keypad data entry, and cursor control device technology. The system is also compliant with current mandates, such as Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) and Enhanced Mode S Diversity.
Spectrum’s Freedom provides seating for up to seven passengers. Its “stand-up” cabin offers up to six feet (1.8m) of height and width, and includes a private enclosed aft lavatory. The S-40 will be approved for single-pilot operation, with maximum a speed of Mach 0.77 (440 kts). The aircraft has non-stop range capability of 2,250 nautical miles (4,170km) at a cruising altitude of 45,000-feet.
Using Spectrum’s proprietary fibeXTM advanced composite material system for primary airframe structure, the Freedom weighs up to 40% less than comparably sized aluminum aircraft. The result is up to 50% fuel savings and dramatically reduced emissions.
Company Backgrounds:
Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC, is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, with its Aircraft
Development Center located near Provo, Utah. The privately held company is developing
the Freedom S-40,an eight-place mid-sized jet powered by GE Honda Aero Engines.
HF120 fanjets, scheduled for certification in late 2009; and also the Independence S-33,a seven-place light jet using Williams International’s FJ33-4A jet engines, scheduled forcertification during 2010. Both aircraft feature the company’s revolutionary fibeXTMadvanced composite material technology, resulting in empty weights that are about 40%less than comparably sized aluminum aircraft. The light weight combined with efficientnext-generation fanjet engines allows significant reduction in fuel consumption andemissions. For additional information, to follow the program’s progress, or to downloadproduct photos, please visit: www.spectrum.aero.
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Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Honeywell International’s aerospace business is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations.
Honeywell International (NYSE: HON)is a $33 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, New Jersey, Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. For additional information, please visit www.honeywell.com