Read the lastest news from Flight Display Systems.

Nine PMA Designated LCD Monitor Sizes Now Available; Most in Industry

Flight Display Systems has been granted Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA) from the Federal Aviation Administration for three new cabin LCD monitors. These monitors are the 10.4-inch LCD (spec sheet, List price $2,989), the 17.1-inch Widescreen LCD (spec sheet, List price $6,094), and the 26-inch Widescreen LCD (spec sheet, List price $10,940).

With the addition of these three new monitors, Flight Display Systems now has the largest selection of PMA designated LCD monitors in the industry with a total of nine and ranging in size from 7 to 42 inches.

All three of these monitors feature the triple video inputs that are standard on all Flight Display Systems LCD monitors. Multiple video inputs easily allow passengers the choice between a Moving Map display, a DVD movie, or the Pilot View camera. These products are in stock and available today. For ordering information, call +1-678-867-6717.

Refurbishment and retrofit projects often require upgraded cabin electronics. The fact that our LCD monitors have PMA approval from the FAA makes it easier for some of our dealers to install our equipment," said David Gray, President of Flight Display Systems. "We keep an on-shelf inventory of 7- to 42-inch displays for customers that have quick turn opportunities. A large number of operators continue to replace their old screens with our new LCDs."

Hot Products, Hot Topics Primary Focus of AEA 2008
By Christine Knauer for Avionics News
June 2008

With Flight Display Systems’ newest products, true in-flight high-definition (HD) video no longer eludes traveling executives. The Georgia-based company introduced a complete HD system with choice of new high-definition monitors ranging from 17 to 42 inches, new PlayStation 3 docking station for playing HD Blu-ray discs, new eight-port HD video switching amplifier and a new HDMI cable produced by Electronic Cable Specialists.

"To display a true HD video signal, you need both an HD source, such as a Blu-ray DVD player, and an HD monitor," said David Gray, president of Flight Display Systems.

Up to seven monitors can be connected to one Blu-ray player and play 1080p HD-quality videos.

Flight Display Systems also announced a new dual 7-inch display for Gulfstream aircraft; a new detachable 15-inch display; a new Flipper in a Box that mounts atop the glareshield; and a new three-channel 2.43 GHz headset with carrying case.

After four years of anticipation, the company’s satellite TV now is FAA-certified for the Bombardier Challenger 600 and will ship in May 2008. STCs are pending for the 601 through 605 series aircraft.

Flight Display Systems also was a nominee for the 2008 AEA Associate Member of the Year award.

Several products from Flight Display Systems were recently featured in the June/July issue of Business Jet Traveler magazine.

Cabin Tech ‘08
by Kirby J. Harrison and Stephen Pope
Business Jet Traveler

Satellite TV Pricing Comes Down to Earth
The biggest impediment to adding satellite television to a business jet is the sky-high cost. Prices top out at half a million dollars for the tail-mounted dish antenna and associated receivers, which can take weeks to install. Another hitch is that most satellite TV antennas are so big that they can fit only on large business jets.

Now, after more than three years of development, Flight Display Systems (the moving map people), has gained FAA certification for its Ellipse TV antenna and receiver system, finally giving buyers a palatable alternative to the big-ticker multi-region systems available from Honeywell and Rockwell Collins. Priced at $99,650, Ellipse TV uses a KVH Industries phased-array antenna (normally found atop mobile homes and yachts) that is housed in a 35-inch-diameter fiberglass-honeycomb radome secured to the fuselage by four leg attachments.

The installation recalls military AWACS aircraft, but designers promise that it doesn’t adversely affect aircraft performance. An advantage of the system is that the antenna can fit on smaller aircraft, down to the size of midsize jets and even large turboprops. So far, Ellipse TV is approved for installation only on the Bombardier Challenger 600, but authorization for use on more models is expected soon. The system’s DirecTV signal is available anywhere over the continental U.S. to a distance of about 200 miles offshore. Two tuners allow passengers to watch different channels simultaneously. Picture quality is excellent, although the signal can drop out during steep banks on takeoff and landing.

A High-Def War Ends
High-definition television, which boasts more than twice the video resolution of the old standard-definition technology, looks as good in an airplane as it does in your den… Blu-ray has emerged as the clear winner. Flight Display Systems of Alpharetta, Ga., has introduced the Fly HD line of cabin displays and an innovative way of playing HD movies - its PlayStation 3 docking station allows the gaming system’s Blu-ray player to link with cabin monitors.

The Moving Map Moves On
It is not uncommon now for the moving map to display satellite imagery and to include a zoom feature for a closer look at the terrain over which the airplane passes. The latest from Flight Display Systems offers a choice of aircraft-type icons. (One option, for the devout Muslim, is an arrow that always points toward Mecca.)