Astronautics Nearing Finish Line For RoadRunner STC

Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based Astronautics is nearing supplemental type certificate (STC) approval and has begun pre-production shipments of its RoadRunner drop-in replacement electronic flight instrument (EFI). The Roadrunner EFI line is part of a busy product development effort under way at Astronautics as it moves to expand production to three display families this spring and prepares for the launch of its next-generation suite.

Anticipating technical standard order shortly,recently completed quality testing on the RoadRunner EFI and is testing initially for an STC aboard the Leonardo A109 light twin. STC flight trials, to take place in Minneapolis, are anticipated in upcoming weeks. The testing will validate required capabilities for all phases of flight, including LPV approaches, as well as the display of other functions such as GPS mapping and radar, the company said.

Designed to reduce operating and maintenance costs, the RoadRunner is made to replace five-inch ADI and HSI electromechanical units. The unit is embedded with increased safety functionality that is found on modern EFIS, including HTAWS and synthetic vision. This comes with a “really big weight savings,” said Astronautics president Chad Cundiff, estimating that it could amount to 15 pounds per flight deck.

One of the key aspects for the RoadRunner is that it was designed for ease of installation. It comes with an wiring adapter harness and fits into existing slots for electromechanical units. “You are not cutting panels or running wires all over the aircraft,” Cundiff said, adding that the installation could take place in a day or two.

Astronautics will own the initial STC on the A109, but already has begun pre-production shipping to customers and/or installation centers for development of STCs on other aircraft, he said.

The company has lined up a worldwide network of 16 dealers, some of which will be working on STCs. He believes the initial STCs will involve aircraft such as the Bell 212, 412, and 214, as well as the UH-60L Firehawk. United Rotorcraft selected the AFI 4700 RoadRunner EFI for two of its Firehawks operated by the Ventura County Fire Department.

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