A Pilot’s Dream? Flex™ Delivers Ultimate Custom Function Display
Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, a technology company and leader in the design and manufacture of aerospace products, introduces a first-of-its-kind custom function display (CFD). The Flex™ MD23 series features a customizable configuration (inputs and outputs), user interface, and graphics — enabling it to function as a custom display, controller and data converter.
“This is next-level glass technology for creative avionics solutions,” says Matthew Harrah, senior vice president of Technology and Products. “We set out to improve systems integration and effectively eliminated the complex and costly product development process for aircraft manufacturers and fleet upgrades.”
True to its name, the flexible 2-inch digital instrument can be customized to receive and display ARINC 429, analog, discrete, frequency, temperature, absolute and differential pressure data to meet the requirements of the pilot, engineer or mission.
“Flex should not be confused with a multi-function display. It is designed and certified to a much higher level,” explains Brett Williams, vice president of Engineering. “Flex is a two-part solution: the base hardware and software are fixed, while the configuration and digital display are flexible. Each unit is customized through a unique code, specific to the application.”
Flex offers the convenience of a certified COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) product with the custom flexibility of a build-your-own instrument. It delivers new data to the cockpit or can be a modern and enhanced replacement for legacy gauges. Applications are virtually limitless. Examples include:
- radar altimeter display
- master caution annunciator
- single/dual/triple tachometer
- GPS clock
- fuel management display
- volt/ammeter
- altimeter
- airspeed indicator
- flap indicator
- cabin pressure indicator and controller
- vertical speed indicator
- landing gear indicator
- autopilot controller
- data converter
- engine data indicator
- angle of attack indicator
- ARINC combiner
- air data computer
Flex is a panel-mounted instrument, available with optional quick-disconnect pitot/static inputs. It carries multiple Technical Standard Order (TSO) certifications and is qualified to RTCA DO-178C, Design Assurance Level A. Flex offers convenient, field-upgradeable software through a standard USB-A port. The LCD display features daylight readable, high-definition graphics with a single, push-and-turn control knob providing an intuitive user interface.
For more information about Flex™, contact David Copeland, vice president of Sales for Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, at 316-630-0101 or visit mcico.com.