Aviation Automation Introduces World's Most Advanced Electronic Flight Bag

Aviation Automation Releases QuickTurn EFB Touchscreen & XP Tablet Models with Intel Centrino mobile technology Offering Aviation the Latest in Mobile Computing Technology

Editor's Summary:

•   Aviations only fully ruggedized, under-five-pound, convertible notebook/pen tablet Electronic Flight Bag computers with Intel® Centrino(TM) mobile technology - utilizing the new ultra-low-voltage Intel® Pentium® M processor at 900MHz with enhanced Intel® SpeedStep® technology, 1MB on-die L2 cache, and 256MB DDR-SDRAM (768 max.) Intel® 855 GM chipset.

•   Aviations first notebook/pen tablets with integrated, concurrent access to WAN, LAN and GPS systems, are available in Touchscreen PC versions and a Windows® XP Tablet PC version with a magnetically digitized screen.

•   State-of-the-art system architecture significantly improves cockpit computing and communications performance while minimizing battery drain.

•   Shock-mounted 10.4-inch TFT daylight-readable, anti-reflective, active-matrix color LCD display with 1024 x 768 pixel internal resolution at 16 million colors and 1280 x 1024 pixel external resolution at 16 million colors. Optional proprietary transflective LCD in Touchscreen PC model automatically balances sunlight and backlight for optimal brightness levels in all ambient-light environments.

•   Display panel swivels and tilts to virtually any angle for maximum visibility in notebook configuration and folds flat for use as standalone ruggedized pen-tablet.

•   Shock-and-vibration isolated 40GB low-voltage UDMA hard drive

•   Full support for Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional or Windows® 2000 in Touchscreen PC; Windows® XP Professional Tablet Edition in Tablet PC.

•   Fully sealed and MIL STD 810F tested against drop shock, vibration, water, dust, heat and cold.

•   5 hour runtime from compact lithium-ion battery pack

•   10.7 x 8.5 x 1.9-inches (WDH), 4.4 lbs

Aviation Automation, the leading provider of aviation computers, today elevated the bar of aviation computing with the introduction of two convertible QuickTurn notebook/pen tablet Electronic Flight Bags.

Utilizing Intel® Centrino(TM) Mobile Technology and the Intel® Pentium® M processor for maximum performance with minimal battery drain, the QuickTurn EFB features a tilting-and-swiveling 10.4-inch high-visibility display panel that flips and closes over the unit's keyboard to become a fully functional, rugged Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional or Windows® 2000 Touchscreen PC tablet, or--in the digitized-screen variant--a state-of-the-art Windows® XP TabletPC.

"The QuickTurn EFB is quite simply in a class by itself," said Marc Schmidt, president of Aviation Automation. "It will redefine the Electronic Flight Bag application while setting new standards for versatility in notebook computing in flight planning and aircraft data collection. Aviation Automation has leveraged its years of aviation experience to offer an EFB which provides the durability demands for both pilot and maintenance applications.

The 'convertible' nature of the QuickTurn makes it ideal for use in the cockpit, FBO, hotel, flight line, and other applications.
Furthermore, the QuickTurn is a fully rugged computer, protecting it from shock, vibration, fluids, and dust. Other non-rugged notebook computers can have failure rates as high as 20 percent. As a provider of portable computing systems to the aerospace and aviation markets Aviation Automation has defined itself by its ability to deliver high-performance, rugged computers for use anywhere, anytime, under any conditions. Carrying into aircraft a plastic tablet PC with an unprotected glass LCD display is an accident waiting to happen and will present its crew with a costly learning experience," notes Schmidt.

Resetting the Baseline of Portable Performance & Power Management

The QuickTurn has been designed from the ground up to fully exploit Intel® Centrino(TM) Mobile Technology platform's unparalleled ability to streamline internal computer instruction operations, increase real-word computing efficiency and prolong battery life. Advanced instruction prediction is used to pre-load instructions based on past program behavior for smoother, faster transitions between operations; power-optimized logic regulates consumption and dissipation levels for lower CPU average power, and intelligent power distribution circuitry focuses the system power where the CPU needs it most.

Intel® Centrino(TM) mobile technology communications enhancements include the Intel® PRO/Wireless Network Connection 802.11b WLAN support and advanced encryption and security technology for Virtual Private Networks.
Full Pen Tablet Functionality With Maximum OS Flexibility

The QuickTurn EFB is available in two models- a Windows® XP Professional or Windows® 2000 PC notebook that converts to a tablet using standard pen extensions or proprietary Windows-compatible applications and a Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition-based notebook with a magnetically digitized display that converts to a 100-percent Tablet PC-compliant pen tablet.

The digitized screen in the Tablet PC version allows users to incorporate handwritten input into Microsoft® Office applications, annotate documents imported from a server or other computer, instantly change screen views from portrait to landscape mode and use pen "gestures" to perform such functions as pointing, clicking, selecting and dragging.
Other features integrated into the QuickTurn Tablet PC Edition include handwriting-to-text conversion, speech recognition (English, Japanese and simplified Chinese), and Microsoft® ClearType® technology for maximum text readability.

Innovative LCDs Make Everything Clear Day Or Night

Screen readability, a determinant factor in the usefulness of all portable computers, is especially critical in touchscreen applications where the user must be able to see well enough to write, draw and complete forms on the screen rather than just read text.

An optional, transflective SVGA LCD display on the QuickTurn Touchscreen PC delivers extraordinary brightness in all operating environments by automatically balancing ambient light and system backlight, while the Tablet PC's magnetically digitized display is precision engineered to optimize handwriting recognition, drafting and other freehand data-entry tasks.
Display performance in all models is enhanced by an Intel® 855GM graphics controller with 64MB of Unified Memory Access.

As Notebook Or Tablet This Electronic Flight Bag Is Mil-Spec Tough

From the bottom of its full magnesium-alloy case, to its sealed port and connector covers, ruggedized case hinge and moisture- and dust-resistant LCD, keyboard and touchpad, the QuickTurn EFB has been designed to equal or better the durability standards of all previous EFBs offered by Aviation Automation. Both the screen and hard drive are impact isolated and the entire computer has been tested for compliance with MIL STD 810F requirements for four-corner and flat-side shock and vibration absorption, and liquid, dirt and dust ingress protection in extreme operating environments.

Newest Member Of Aviation Automations i-Ready Room Electronic Flight Bags

The QuickTurn EFB is the newest model in the industry's most complete line of rugged, portable computers for aviation applications. In addition to a full line of pen tablets and rugged notebooks, Aviation Automation offers specialized Detachable Cockpit Displays to provide both primary and supplementary information to crew members. An array of mounting options are available depending on our customers preferences.

An Array of Wireless & Wired Network Protocols

The Toughbook 18 offers integrated Bluetooth(TM) Class 1, IEEE 802.11b, CDMA 2000 1xRTT and GPRS Class 8 wireless connectivity options, an integrated Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver, 100Base TX/10 BaseT wired LAN support and a 56K V92-compliant modem. Other I/Os include two Type II PC Card slots (or one Type II/ one Smart Card slot), serial port (Touchscreen PC version only), ext. video port, USB 2.0 (x2) inputs, and audio input and output.

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Pricing & Configuration

QuickTurn XP TabletPC Edition version     $3299
QuickTurn Touchscreen PC version         $3299

Available Accessories

DVD/CD-RW Combo drive        
FDD                        
Battery                    
Battery Charger            
External Combo drive        
AC Adaptor                
Car Charger

                
Aviation Automation Ltd. Co.

Aviation Automation is the leading provider of ruggedized notebook PCs and Electronic Flight Bags for mobile aviation professional.

Note to Editors:

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice.