Sandia Aerospace introduced the SAI 340 Quattro, an attractively priced replacement for steam-gauge standby instruments in EFIS-equipped aircraft, at the Aircraft Electronics Association convention in Nashville, Tenn. The compact unit displays indicated airspeed, barometric altitude, roll and pitch, and provides a slip indication.
“We have delivered a tremendous number of features in the Quattro, especially considering it weighs just half a pound,” said Sandia President Dennis Schmidt. “It’s an excellent safety-enhancing addition to a panel’s traditional six-pack.”
He said the solid-state Quattro displays air transport-quality graphics in an easy-to-read EFIS presentation. For backup, the Quattro incorporates a small, rechargeable lithium battery which has a nominal duration of two hours’ use and a minimum of 30 minutes.
The unit also offers pilot-entered barometric correction, automatic and manual backlight control, internal battery charge status, and a panel-tilt configuration. The Quattro fits in a standard 3-inch instrument hole.
“This has been in development for two years,” said Barry LeBlanc, regional sales manager for Sandia Aerospace. “We’re really happy and excited to have something like this.”
Sandia’s SAI 340 Quattro has a retail price of $3,595 and should be available in the summer of 2014.