Universal Avionics (UA) has announced the first SBAS-Flight Management System (FMS) upgrade for the ATR 42-500 type.
The operator, First Air, also performed the engineering design, certification, and installation for their fleet renewal. Six First Air ATR 42-500 aircraft have each received dual UA UNS-1Fw SBAS-FMSs and a Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS).
First Air’s ATR 42-500 aircraft operate in Northern Canada, where the area relies on air services to support economic development and to connect its remote air-access-only communities with one-another and the world. Weather is often challenging and the ability to fly RNAV (GNSS) LPV LOS approach procedures is essential. The new UA SBAS-FMSs replace obsolete factory non-SBAS FMSs, and give First Air the ability to fly these essential approaches along with procedures with RF leg segments.
