Thales and StandardAero to certify TopMax for Bombardier Challenger 350
Today, Thales and StandardAero announced the first airframe that will be certified for TopMax, Thales’ new Wearable Head-Up Display.
The Bombardier Challenger 350 series of aircraft may expect to receive FAA certification for the retrofit upgrade by the end of 2020, with EASA certification to follow. Entry into service is planned for Q1 2021. The product will be certified on the Challenger 300 and Challenger 605/650 platforms once certification is received for the Challenger 350 series with other airframer platforms to follow.
TopMax is an industry first, resulting from Thales' decades-long experience in military Helmet Mounted Display Systems (HMDS) and civilian Head-Up Display (HUD). It is the only wearable HUD system in the business jet industry whose ergonomics and functionalities are specifically adapted to the needs of civil pilots. At a glance, pilots with TopMax have instant and intuitive access to critical flight information for navigation and safety.
TopMax is a cost-effective alternative to a traditional fixed Head-Up Display (HUD) and is the perfect solution for easy retrofit on any type of aircraft thanks to its minimal footprint in the cockpit. It offers an ideal combination of operational, technical and life-cycle cost benefits for aircraft owners and operators. For pilots, the lightweight design and simplicity of use make it an ideal system for advanced avionics interfacing. TopMax provides additional operational benefits that reduce take-off and landing minima and the system allows operator to do more with their aircraft during weather conditions.
The product includes augmented reality and intuitive off axis symbology features that strongly enhance situational awareness and flight safety by better visualizing cross wind headings, synthetic runway, extended navigational centerline and 3D traffic display. Its operational capabilities largely exceed current Head Up Display solutions by providing a full color, 360° field-of-regard, unlimited terrain and obstacle awareness with the use of the synthetic vision system (SVS). It can also be coupled with any enhanced vision system (EVS) sensor.
