M S

 
             

The Ultra Horizon XL

The Premium Glass Cockpit System !

The Ultra Horizon XL system is designed specifically to perform flawlessly when installed in aircraft with either open or closed cockpit, providing excellent viewing quality in both poor light and full sunlight and in low and high temperatures conditions.

The Ultra Horizon XL is even more clearly, the top performing monochrome digital glass cockpit system available for light aircraft. Any other choice will not only be a compromise, but, almost certainly much more expensive (such is the feature, quality and performance offering of the Ultra Horizon XL). Just read on (and particularly, download and read the manual - link farther down) to convince yourself that this is no idle claim.

The Ultra Horizon XL combines all the functions of all the previous Ultra models into one sleek looking instrument and then provides much more! Not just a few additional, possibly rarely used features, but, major new innovations. It has 2 easily (user!) customisable display screens, which you can toggle between by the push of a button. One screen for example, can be made up to show your primary flight instruments while the other screen can be configured to show the attitude indicator and engine monitoring information.

It is up to you to decide how it looks, the number and choice of instruments included in each screen and their presentation style (e.g. analogue or tape). There are over fifty options to choose from!

 

The Ultra Horizon XL now also comes with 12 thermocouple channels!

 

That's 6 EGT's and 6 CHT's which can be monitored, plus water, oil temperature/pressure etc ... plus monitoring of fuel levels in 2 fuel tanks ... G meter ... not to mention AH/Compass functions and so much more!

 

See the summary listing of some of the Ultra Horizon XL's features below and then download and read the manual.

 

But, before you do that, check out these examples of the Ultra Horizon XL's screen configurations, and remember you can re-design them exactly as you wish and add virtually any instrument/function available (see the manual for the current very long list of those offered).

A VFR panel

An IFR panel (below)

Note: these systems are not certified VFR or IFR

A Rotor craft VFR panel (below)

 

In addition, a free PC software programme can be used to easily customise your Ultra in the comfort of your armchair, and then later at a click of a button, download the configuration you have just created into the Ultra.

 

This programme is actually a software simulation of the Ultra Horizon XL system and it enables you 'switch it on', configure (and change) the display and select all the appropriate settings (for your aircraft/engine/senders). And then see how it all looks! So, you get an exact idea of what this system can do and how to do it! Not quite like flying, but, its as close as we can get to giving that experience with this system.

 

So there is no need to hang out until you receive your system to get a 'hands on' feel for your Ultra Horizon XL. After you have checked out the huge array of functions which this system offers (listed just a little further down), click on the link below to download the simulation programme (Note: this is a Beta version and will be updated from time to time as new features are added):

Ultra Horizon XL

Basic system functions

  • Altitude to 40 000 ft (12 195 m) calibrated, 1ft dynamic resolution
  • Airspeed ASI analogue and digital, TAS digital
  • Stopwatch
  • Glide and climb ratio to 1/99
  • QNH 960 to 1 060 mb (28.3 - 31.3 Inch of Hg)
  • QNE 1013 mb quick select (29.9 Inches of Hg)
  •  Time of day, Date for flight log entries
  •  Air time since take-off (or lesson time)
  •  Ambient temperature using external sensor
  •  Up to two Fuel level using flow sender or optional level sender
  •  Fuel flow using optional flow sender
  •  Current range estimate (range at current speed and fuel burn)
  •  Fuel bingo estimate (time until tank empty)
  •  Range calculator using manually entered ground speed
  •  Air distance made good
  •  Voltage. Supply to unit. Usually 12V battery.
  •  VSI +/- 9 990 ft/minute (50.7 meters per second) range
  •  Flight log storing up to 200 entries
  •  Hobbs meter, presetable to current engine time
  •  Density altimeter
  •  Barometer for ambient pressure
  •  Aircraft registration number display
  •  Maintenance timer
  •  Warnings for engine temperature, speed high, speed low, maximum altitude, low fuel level, etc
  •  Alarm output to switch a warning lamp
  •  Audio alarm output to drive a panel speaker or low level output for alarm tone injection into a suitably equipped headset or intercom system.
  •  Master and slave modes for dual instrument setup
  •  Measuring take-off run to 50 ft (15.24 m) above ground level
  •  Artificial horizon (requires SP-3h, SP-3hc)
  •  Slip indicator (requires SP-3h, SP-3hc)
  •  Rate of turn indicator (requires SP-3h, SP-3hc)
  •  Compass (requires SP-1, SP-2 or SP-3hc)
  •  Air talk link for connection to:
    • PC’s and Laptops using optional cable
    • Stratomaster “Black Box” flight recorder
    • Stratomaster Ultra secondary instrument
    • Key ring flight log download device
    • Compass and AHRS sensor package.

RDAC "Remote Data Acquisition Computer"

EMS functions:

  • Twelve channel thermocouple amplifier, high resolution chopper stabilized system with full cold junction compensation and bow voltage correction to laboratory standards.
  • The inputs can accept K-type or J-type thermocouples (selectable via provided menu functions)
  • Oil and Water temperature NTC input compatible with most oil temperature senders and the MGL water temperature sender.
  • Also accepts MGL precision semiconductor senders for water and oil temperature.
  • Universal rev counter input. Can be used on a wide variety of engines using a variety of interface methods.
  • Fuel flow sender input. Can be used with most commercial liquid flow senders.
  • Calibration via provided menu functions.
  • Oil pressure sender input. Accepts most commercial oil pressure senders including those from VDO.
  • Fuel level sender input with extensive calibration functions provided to allow direct readout of fuel quantity corrected for tank shape and sender tolerances.
  • LM335 sensor based temperature sender to indicate ice warning. The sender is normally fitted to the outside of a carburetor, in close proximity to the throttle slider or valve or in the intake airflow.
  • The EMS included with the Ultra provides for a wide variety of engines and the display unit can be configured in many different ways as outlined under the “Device setup menu”.

RDAC 'X' Manual

For a detailed look at the RDAC 'X' and the installation instructions, the manual can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:

AHRS and Compass Functions

Available functions in this category depend on the capabilities of the sensor package connected. The following list shows functions available with the SP-3hc (model 2) package (photograph below).
  • Bank/Pitch attitude display. This display resembles the artificial horizon as found on typical IFR panels. The attitude display is not restricted to a range of bank or pitch and is thus fully aerobatics capable.
  • Bank & Turn display. This consists of Rate 1 markers (2 minute standard rate turn at 20 degrees bank) and a traditional “ball slip” display.

  • Compass or gyro compass heading. The SP-3hc sensor provides heading information with three axis tilt compensation (displays correct heading during turns), utilising the attitude information from the solid state gyro system. Non tilt compensated compass modules can also be chosen

  • For a detailed look at the SP-3h & 3hc (model 2) operation and its installation instructions, download the manual by clicking on the link below:

Ultra Horizon XL - Model/Configuration Options

The Ultra Horizon XL is the common panel for all variants of the Ultra series - modules are added to provide additional functionality, as required.

  • For example, the Ultra Horizon XL panel alone is an excellent choice for gliders (as they don't require the RDAC's engine monitoring capability) or where only the extensive flight functions and the Ultra's myriad non engine monitoring functions are required. The AH and or compass functions can also be added by choosing the SP-3h (AH); or the SP-3hc (AH & tilt compensated compass); or either of the compass only modules (SP-1 or SP-2).

    A further option, multiple panels (front and rear cockpits) for dual place gliders would provide industry leading functionality together with very light weight.

  • For powered aircraft, the Ultra Horizon XL panel plus the 12 channel engine monitoring module (either the RDAC-XB or RDAC-XD) would be the usual starting configuration. Additional options are: the AH only module; Compass only module; or the combined AH & Compass module provide for those want to "have it all !". Something which can be done at an amazingly low price.

    Dual Ultra Horizon XL panels (for the left and right hand panels; or the front and rear panels in a tandem) are an additional option to (very economically) complete the ultimate glass panel cockpit. Only the cost of an additional Ultra Horizon XL panel is incurred, as the sensor units (RDAC & SP sensor) can feed data to both units.

    Note that package pricing of modules (excepting RDAC's) when purchased with the Ultra Horizon XL panel, makes that the way to get even greater value from your system purchase. Whilst still excellent value, the modules cost more when purchased separately.

Additional Module Options:

Engine Monitoring Modules:

RDAC - XB (12 thermocouple channels - no manifold pressure)

RDAC - XD (12 thermocouple channels - with manifold pressure)

Artificial Horizon & Compass Modules

SP-3hc Sensor Unit (AH & Compass functions)

SP-3h Sensor Unit (AH functions only)

SP-1 Sensor Unit (compass functions only - 2 axis magnetic)

SP-2 Sensor Unit (compass functions only - 3 axis magnetic compass with accelerometer based tilt compensation)

The Flight Log - an example of numerous extra features

Perhaps one of the most useful additional features of the Ultra Horizon XL is its ability to record a flight log.

 

You can setup your Ultra Horizon XL to record a log entry in one of the following ways:

  • Automatic flight log normal aircraft. This will automatically detect the start of a flight and  end of a flight. The unit uses engine revs in combination with airspeed to detect a flight. This is the way most pilots prefer to operate the Ultra Horizon XL.

  • Automatic flight log rotor craft. This operates similar to above but air speed is not taken into account. Instead, rotor speed above 70% of the 100% setting is used to mark possible start of a flight. If you select the split rotor/engine RPM display this mode is automatically selected.

  • Manual flight log. In this case the pilot manually starts a flight and ends it. This mode is used mainly if no rev counter input to the instrument is available. The Stratomaster Ultra will log all flights of longer than one minute. Any flights with less than one minute accumulated time are not stored in the log.

The Ultra Horizon XL will store the last 200 flights in the log.

 

At the end of a flight, the pilot number selected in the main menu will be written to the log entry

for the flight. This can be used to log airtime of several pilots, for example with aircraft sharing

schemes. The log can be viewed at any time. Please also note that the log may be downloaded

to a PC using a direct cable connection or key-ring download device (optional extras).

 

The following flight information will be logged:

  • Date (DD/MM) of take-off

  • Take-off time.

  • Flight time. Displayed in either hours and minutes or hours and fraction of hours depending on setup.

  • Highest altitude reached (In ft or meters depending on setup)

  • Maximum airspeed obtained. Displayed airspeed depends on whether ASI or TAS is selected. (Displayed in kilometres, miles or knots depending on setup).

  • Hobbs meter reading at end of flight/lesson (Displayed in either hours and minutes or hours and fraction of hours depending on setup)

  • Pilot number

Stratomaster Ultra Horizon XL Manual

For a detailed look at the features, operation and how easy it is to install the Ultra Horizon XL, the manual can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:

Stratomaster Ultra Horizon XL Manual (pdf file, size 2.392 MB)

Show me the price list !

Note: The Horizon/compass functions are an optional feature of the Ultra Horizon XL and require adding the preferred sensor package to your order for those functions to become operational.

Back-up Battery

To provide an emergency power supply for the Ultra or any other Stratomaster instrument, the link below brings up a document which provides instructions and a diagram for constructing a simple battery back-up system. Whilst the diagram refers to a 9 volt battery using a small 12 volt battery should be equally successful. Note that the system does not provide for the charging of any battery used, so the battery used will have to be replaced or recharged (if a rechargeable battery is used).

Emergency power supply

Fuel Level Sender

We recommend that you use at least the Fuel Level sender if you have a suitable fuel tank. You can fit the fuel flow sender at a later stage if you like. Both items are an invaluable aid for long cross-country flights.

Please Note: If you fit only the fuel flow sender, fuel level can be calculated from fuel flow. This requires that you enter the current fuel level before you commence the flight. This method must be backed up by a second visual fuel level gauge such as a level glass. Malfunction of the flow sender caused by fuel contamination, debris, etc. can lead to the sender under reading and therefore resulting in a fuel level reading that is higher than the actual fuel level.

We recommend that you use the optional fuel level sender as a source for the fuel level in cases where no direct visual check of the fuel tank level is possible. Please also note that the accuracy of the fuel flow sensor is subject to the quality of your installation, type of engine, fuel pump, viscosity of your fuel and finally the calibration factor entered into the Stratomaster Ultra instrument (this is a user calibration).

Neither MGL Avionics nor Asia Pacific Light Flying can be held responsible for incidents or damage of any kind, caused by incorrect fuel level indication. Installation and operation of the instrument and its related parts is outside our sphere of influence and control. We do not manufacture either the fuel level sender nor the fuel flow sender and are not appointed agents of either.

Please Also Note: Operation of the Stratomaster Ultra instrument is the responsibility of the pilot in command of the aircraft. The pilot in command has to make himself/herself familiar with the operation and limitations of the Stratomaster Ultra instrument before commencing ground or flight operations.

These instruments are designed for use in ultralight, microlight, experimental and homebuilt aircraft as well as any aircraft that permit use of such (non certified) instrumentation under general or special operating permits.

The Stratomaster Ultra instrument has Not been submitted to CAA or FAA or any of its agencies (or any regulatory authority in any other country) for any form of certification. Operation and installation of this instrument is subject to the relevant rules and regulations of your country and flight authority.

If any of the above is not acceptable to the pilot in command he/she must refrain from operating the aircraft or remove the Stratomaster Ultra instrument from the aircraft before commencing aircraft operations.

.

.

.