Avionics News June 2013 - 70

THE HISTORY OF AVIONICS
Continued from page 69

by scanning multiple VOR/DME or VORTAC (VOR tactical
air navigation) stations. In the space of one lifetime, pilots had
progressed from navigating by recognition of landmarks to navigating solely by instruments from any point to any other point
within an area served by a VORTAC or VOR/DME.
Furthermore, the pace of change was accelerating. While
pilots were growing to love their solid-state KX-170s and
KN-74s, the engineers at King were already on to their next
step. The first look I had at this was in avionics school. We had
a KNS-80, which was part of the new King Silver Crown line.
Thanks to digital integration and microprocessors, the KNS-80
featured (and still does) a navigation receiver, DME, glideslope
receiver and area navigation system in a panel-mounted package
smaller than the earlier KN-65 DME. My instructor was afraid
of it. These new metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) technology
devices were susceptible to static discharge. As soon as the class
opened the case, the microprocessor got zapped, and the KNS-80
went back for repair. My instructor said, “Don’t even point at it.”

70

avionics news

•

june

2013

Throughout the 1970s, other companies were stepping up with
new innovative designs. Paul Ryan developed the Stormscope
and the TCAD. Foster AirData developed extremely accurate
and easily useable direct replacements for the King analog area
navigation units. These microprocessors were starting the next
revolution. It took 10 years to go from tubes to transistors. It
took half the time to move from transistors to microprocessors.
Microprocessors fueled an explosion in new technologies.
LORAN-C (long-range navigation) and Omega systems could
be installed in small aircraft, thus giving pilots worldwide area
navigation capability. Small moving-map and multifunction
displays became available. Pilots could add a graphics unit to
their radar, giving their radar indicator limited multifunctionality.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, the next revolution wasn’t
the global positioning system. Indeed, the revolution started
before GPS became available. The Northstar M1 LORAN-C
used database technology effectively, allowing the pilot to
choose a destination without even knowing for sure how to spell
the name of the town, let alone the airport name. Database techContinued on page 72


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Avionics News June 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News June 2013

Point of Communication
AEA Now
The View From Washington
International News and Regulatory Updates
Electrical-System Manager
Member Profile
Let's Get to Work!
Advancing Avionics
Startup Stories
Member Profile
The History of Avionics
Avionics News Through the Years
A Conversation With...
Legal Ease
Business Basics
AEAviators
What's New
Avionics News June 2013 - Intro
Avionics News June 2013 - Cover1
Avionics News June 2013 - Cover2
Avionics News June 2013 - 1
Avionics News June 2013 - 2
Avionics News June 2013 - 3
Avionics News June 2013 - Point of Communication
Avionics News June 2013 - 5
Avionics News June 2013 - AEA Now
Avionics News June 2013 - 7
Avionics News June 2013 - 8
Avionics News June 2013 - 9
Avionics News June 2013 - 10
Avionics News June 2013 - 11
Avionics News June 2013 - 12
Avionics News June 2013 - 13
Avionics News June 2013 - The View From Washington
Avionics News June 2013 - 15
Avionics News June 2013 - International News and Regulatory Updates
Avionics News June 2013 - 17
Avionics News June 2013 - 18
Avionics News June 2013 - 19
Avionics News June 2013 - Electrical-System Manager
Avionics News June 2013 - 21
Avionics News June 2013 - 22
Avionics News June 2013 - 23
Avionics News June 2013 - Member Profile
Avionics News June 2013 - 25
Avionics News June 2013 - 26
Avionics News June 2013 - 27
Avionics News June 2013 - Let's Get to Work!
Avionics News June 2013 - 29
Avionics News June 2013 - 30
Avionics News June 2013 - 31
Avionics News June 2013 - 32
Avionics News June 2013 - 33
Avionics News June 2013 - 34
Avionics News June 2013 - 35
Avionics News June 2013 - 36
Avionics News June 2013 - 37
Avionics News June 2013 - Advancing Avionics
Avionics News June 2013 - 39
Avionics News June 2013 - 40
Avionics News June 2013 - 41
Avionics News June 2013 - 42
Avionics News June 2013 - 43
Avionics News June 2013 - 44
Avionics News June 2013 - 45
Avionics News June 2013 - 46
Avionics News June 2013 - 47
Avionics News June 2013 - 48
Avionics News June 2013 - 49
Avionics News June 2013 - 50
Avionics News June 2013 - 51
Avionics News June 2013 - 52
Avionics News June 2013 - 53
Avionics News June 2013 - 54
Avionics News June 2013 - 55
Avionics News June 2013 - 56
Avionics News June 2013 - 57
Avionics News June 2013 - Startup Stories
Avionics News June 2013 - 59
Avionics News June 2013 - 60
Avionics News June 2013 - 61
Avionics News June 2013 - 62
Avionics News June 2013 - 63
Avionics News June 2013 - Member Profile
Avionics News June 2013 - 65
Avionics News June 2013 - 66
Avionics News June 2013 - 67
Avionics News June 2013 - The History of Avionics
Avionics News June 2013 - 69
Avionics News June 2013 - 70
Avionics News June 2013 - 71
Avionics News June 2013 - 72
Avionics News June 2013 - 73
Avionics News June 2013 - Avionics News Through the Years
Avionics News June 2013 - 75
Avionics News June 2013 - A Conversation With...
Avionics News June 2013 - 77
Avionics News June 2013 - Legal Ease
Avionics News June 2013 - 79
Avionics News June 2013 - 80
Avionics News June 2013 - 81
Avionics News June 2013 - 82
Avionics News June 2013 - 83
Avionics News June 2013 - Business Basics
Avionics News June 2013 - 85
Avionics News June 2013 - 86
Avionics News June 2013 - 87
Avionics News June 2013 - AEAviators
Avionics News June 2013 - 89
Avionics News June 2013 - What's New
Avionics News June 2013 - 91
Avionics News June 2013 - 92
Avionics News June 2013 - 93
Avionics News June 2013 - 94
Avionics News June 2013 - 95
Avionics News June 2013 - 96
Avionics News June 2013 - Cover3
Avionics News June 2013 - Cover4
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