Honeywell said it has received European TSO approval for Primus Elite, a newly introduced display system that is intended to provide an upgrade path for aircraft equipped with early versions of the avionics maker’s Primus cockpit screens.

Primus Elite converts the existing CRT displays to more reliable and capable active-matrix LCDs. The LCD displays, which slide into the holes of CRTs in Primus 1000/2000/XP, SPZ-8400/8500 and some SPZ-8000 avionics, incorporate internal computing power that allows operators to obtain technology previously available only in newer aircraft.

Functionality will initially include XM graphical weather, Jeppesen electronic charts and maps and video displays through a cursor-driven onscreen interface. The high-resolution graphics rendered by the Primus Elite displays are capable of eventually supporting Honeywell’s SmartView synthetic-vision system.

“The new displays offer better reliability, enhanced safety and expanded aircraft capability such as datalink weather, charts and maps and more,” said Chad Cundiff, vice president of crew interface products for Honeywell. “Primus Elite requires no aircraft structural modifications, limited wiring, very little downtime and no additional pilot training, saving the operator acquisition and maintenance costs.”
Primus Elite system upgrades will be available for installation in the Bombardier Global Express and Gulfstream IV, IV-SP and V starting in next year’s first quarter. Embraer has selected Primus Elite for the Legacy 650, announced on the eve of the NBAA Convention on Monday. The aircraft manufacturers will release pricing and delivery information, Honeywell said.