EYES ON OUR SKIES. ENHANCED FLIGHT SAFETY SEEN THROUGH ADVANCES IN GLASS TECHNOLOGY
By Super Seawind Builder Steve Wightman
After ten years of flying glass in simulators and technically advanced airplanes like an SR-22 and including my Super Seawind, N71RJ, I have reached a point where I can no longer see flying any other way. Compared to the old steam gauges, the situational awareness offered with glass is simply stunning. In fact, considering the depth and variety of information available, there is no comparison. Safety is markedly enhanced because there are more eyes in the skies beyond those of a pilot. During the U.S. War with Vietnam, an Army Colonel flying a DeHavilland Beaver with me in the right seat would sometimes remind me “You can’t have too many eyes on the skies.” Today, I will review another set of eyes I have integrated into my Super Seawind Flight Information System, the Grand Rapids Technology Electronic Flight Information System, model, EFIS HXr to achieve heightened awareness and safety
Flying a planned flight from Lawrence MA, KLWM, to Bedford, MA, KBED, I highlight HX features I find most valuable during each phase of the flight. First, a pre-start checklist is displayed on the EFIS screen. I never have to worry about forgetting a paper version. Another important feature is the “record” button pressed records all the important engine indications for the entire engine operation cycle. Next up I switch to the Engine page to check the zero indications I expect from a dormant engine then I check the voltages of the four batteries. Next, I dial up the cameras via a knob to check the backup engine pressure gauges read zero then I turn on the “Video” switch for a full well view of the nosewheel position. Looking good, I move on to engine start. Here I keep a close eye on pressures, ITT, and N1, aka compressor speed. Once the engine is lit up, I monitor for all green indications. EFIS graphs make this easy. Now, I switch on the G900X and the Garmin SL30 NAV/COM. All frequencies come alive. I separate the functions of these three radios into ground, cruise, and arrival. The GRT control is remote and responds to my Android phone App. This makes the channel selection of the slaved Garmin SL-30 a snap!
Cruise. Flight plan? It automatically transfers to the HX from the G900 along with the GPS, ADS-B, and the altimeter setting. Easy! With “Safe taxi” showing, I am now ready to roll. Switching to Foreflight, I review my checklist – checking off boxes and proceeding to run up. Take-off checklist completed; I request a departure to KBED at my altitude preset of 2200’. 1,000’, wheels and flaps up, I activate the TruTrak autopilot which climbs to and levels the plane at the preset altitude.
Landing. ATIS in hand, ATC, and soon, Bedford Tower clears me for the KBED RNAV 23 approach. I either activate the flight director (for hands-on) or go for the full approach. Either way, I turn on synthetic vision to keep myself aware of my position. IAF “cleared to land” wheels and flaps verified in. Arriving at the FAF, I dial down the power to 70 knots IAS and hold my pre-set descent rate of about 500 FPM. All the while the EFIS split screen synthetic vision alerts me of my position relative to terrain, obstacles, and traffic as well as the Height Above the Threshold, HAT, and distance to it. My bird confidently glides downward and at a mile out and tracking on the graphically displayed extended centerline, I have the runway in sight.
Soon the main wheels touch and I reduce power to flight idle. I display safe taxis on the HX Map page to track my ground destination. This ends the flight. Since I configured my EFIS to automatically record demos throughout the flight, arriving at my home airport I can remove the USB memory stick and take it home to view it on my desktop PC. Now, I have a long-term, detailed record of my airplane’s – and collaterally, my own performance.
REFERENCES: Excellent educational videos and an in-depth look at the GRT HXr EFIS, please check out the following. Although some are dated, they are still relevant and excellent for training.
Split screen synthetic vision. Grand Rapids Sports Synthetic Approach Split Screen View
GRT HX Autopilot SAP approach RV6a
GRAND RAPIDS HX EFIS INFO: https://grtavionics.com/product-category/efis/
Flying the HXr, Part 1: Powerup to Climb
Also, Read: LAKE RENEGADE SYLLABUS