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Rockwell Collins unveils next-generation moving map and passenger flight information system
ORLANDO, Fla. (October 06, 2003) - Rockwell Collins announced today the introduction of Collins Airshow 4000, the next-generation moving map display and flight
information system for the executive business aircraft. The Airshow 4000 follows the highly successful Airshow 400 and Airshow
Network products, in use on thousands of business jets worldwide.
Collins Airshow 4000 fully integrates flight status and flight-phased information in the form of text, graphics and moving
maps with real-time content feeds obtained through the aircraft’s ground- or satellite-based communication system. All graphical
and text elements are seamlessly combined into a single image or series of images, pre-programmed into and managed through
an intelligent database integral to the system. The result is a display of information that is visually engaging and constantly
refreshed, keeping passengers informed of the aircraft’s location and flight status. A variety of content including news,
financials, sports and weather information may also be viewed based on personal preferences.
“Airshow is the industry standard in flight information systems in business jet cabins,” said Denny Helgeson, vice president
and general manager, Business and Regional Systems for Rockwell Collins. “Collins Airshow 4000 extends that legacy, providing
a whole new dimension of in-flight information. In addition to new graphics, the capability to broadcast video clips such
as safety briefings provides enhanced capabilities and should convince many existing customers to upgrade to the new Airshow
4000.”
Collins Airshow 4000 is capable of running several applications concurrently and has been designed to support all the functionalities
of current Airshow interfaces and more. The content is highly customizable and applications can be individually tailored to
meet the needs of customers, including the inclusion of customer-specific map information. Major features available with the
Airshow 4000 include the following:
- Specific audio and video content can be “triggered” to appear at certain times during the flight, based on flight status.
For example, a safety briefing can be displayed when the aircraft is taxiing, or a route map can be displayed when in cruise
mode.
- Flight status data is collected from the aircraft’s avionics system and overlaid with map images in either graphic windows
or as a moving “ticker” streaming across the bottom of the display. Aircraft-specific icons can also be used when displaying
the aircraft route.
- Maps are displayed in a variety of graphical and photographical styles, and include multiple layers of resolution that the
image to zoom in and out for a variety of interesting presentations. New ocean floor maps with relevant placenames can also
be added.
- Modem technology has been highly optimized to manage a data link over the aircraft’s ground- or satellite-based communication
system to Rockwell Collins’ Network Operations Center where real-time content feeds are aggregated from independent suppliers
(such as CNN, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, BBC, etc.).
- More than 25 languages are available for display.
- A new World Explorer application displays a variety of location-specific information (elevation, population, climate, etc.)
triggered automatically by the system, or selectable by the passenger. Future point-of-interest (POI) content will include
pictures, video and audio clips.
- A new day/night map application shows a world map and traces the sun’s path over a 24 hour period. An actual satellite photo
of city lights at night can be overlaid on the map to further simulate locations at night.
- A Relative Location Indicator application is used to display the aircraft’s approximate distance from a fixed point, such
as a major city or landmark, a corporate headquarters and major tourist attractions. A Mecca pointer is also available.
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