Alca Avionics Inc.

The aviation industry has always been at the forefront of technological innovation, constantly seeking ways to improve aircraft safety and efficiency. However, most general aviation aircraft today are over 45 years old and require modernization.

That’s where Alca Avionics comes in.

Alca Avionics is a renowned engineering and design firm at the forefront of innovation and excellence in the aviation industry since 1993. It focuses on modernizing and maintaining avionics for general aviation, business, and military aircraft. With a strong partnership with Garmin, the company introduces cutting-edge technologies to enhance the safety and efficiency of flight operations.

From pioneering the glass cockpit retrofit in South Florida to modernizing avionics for military and commercial air ambulance aircraft in South America, Alca Avionics has consistently demonstrated its system integration and engineering expertise.

“Along with integrating the avionics retrofit, we are developing new practices and procedures. We want our client to participate in the entire process, from modernization design to failure management and troubleshooting,” says Fernando I. Manotas-Jaramillo, the MD of Alca Avionics. “We use different immersive training methods to make the pilot/owner and the aircraft behave as one. This way, the owner can safely enjoy the passion of flying.”

For instance, a customer-owned Turbo Commander 1000 manufactured in 1970 faced many problems with a previously purchased avionics upgrade System reliability was lower than 50 percent. Alca Avionics improved the upgrade process and involved the owner from the beginning. It redesigned the wiring system, delivered a cleaner cockpit, and increased the payload by reducing the wiring weight.

The new wiring drawing and cockpit design reduced the pilot workload. And a better troubleshooting process was devised, and warranty claims were reduced to zero.

Providing a 360-Degree View of the Aircraft’s Health and Performance

Alca Avionics has developed an integrated system comprising three components - a cloud-based platform that autonomously manages all aircraft components, sub-systems, and techniques, a novel monitoring system for real-time engine operation and aircraft structure analysis, and an innovative training model for new technicians.

“Most of our products are at the TLR7 development level. We aim to reach the TLR9 development level quickly and deliver a reliable, customized, and affordable solution to the industry,” says Manotas-Jaramillo.

The cloud-based aircraft control platform, AFTEC360™, features optimization routines that decrease repair times and life cycle, maintenance, and logistics costs while increasing maintainability, availability, and reliability. The platform’s high data fusion and analysis capacity allows faster and more accurate decision-making.

One of the key benefits of AFTEC360™ is its ability to transmit real-time information about an aircraft’s current status to the owner, operator, and maintainer. This allows for quick identification and resolution of any issues that arise. The platform is fortified by the robust infrastructure of Microsoft Azure, enabling seamless access, efficient management, and accelerated development of applications and services. Alca Avionics is registering copyrights for AFTEC360™ to maintain complete control over its cutting-edge technology.

Improving Maintenance Decisions

Alca Avionics is developing a Structural Health Monitoring project called StruMon™. It is a revolutionary new product that will change how the avionics industry approaches structural health monitoring.

By partnering with Alca Avionics in the future and utilizing StruMon™, fixed and rotary-wing aircraft operators, airlines, and aircraft owners can enjoy increased safety, reduced costs, and improved efficiency.

In addition to monitoring the airframe, StruMon™ can also monitor the health of other aircraft components, like engines, landing gear, and avionics. This can help airlines and maintenance service providers proactively identify and address issues before they become significant problems, reducing maintenance costs and improving safety.

Improving Training and Education

Alca Avionics, a prominent player in the aviation industry, is dedicated to revolutionizing training and education by developing advanced Computer-Based Training (CBT) programs. Recognizing the immense value of CBT, the company harnesses its power to deliver exceptional training solutions for avionics technicians, pilots, and operators.

Through the integration of interactive multimedia and state-of-the-art simulation technologies, Alca Avionics’ CBT programs offer unparalleled engagement and realism tailored to the unique needs of each user. By immersing learners in dynamic and interactive training experiences encompassing diverse topics such as avionics systems, maintenance procedures, and flight operations, the company’s programs facilitate accelerated learning and foster superior safety, efficiency, and productivity within the aviation industry.

Manotas-Jaramillo, the visionary leading these innovative initiatives, highlighted, “These programs are designed to provide a highly immersive and interactive training experience covering various topics, including avionics systems, maintenance procedures, and flight operations.”

An Innovation-Driven Company

Innovation is at the heart of Alca Avionics’ approach to business. By creating markets through its products and services, the company is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the industry.

Like how low-cost carriers revolutionized air travel by opening it up to a new segment of consumers, the company is creating opportunities for customers without access to premium avionics maintenance and retrofits.

Alca Avionics is powered by a team of highly skilled professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise. Led by a mathematician with extensive experience in system engineering, product integration, and market creation, its team is passionate about pushing boundaries and creating innovative solutions that help clients achieve their goals.

It works closely with clients to understand their needs and deliver tailored solutions that exceed their expectations. Whether designing cutting-edge avionics retrofits, optimizing operational efficiency, or developing state-of-the-art software and hardware, it has the expertise and experience to deliver results.

Helping Shape the Future of Aviation

Alca Avionics is currently working on designing a ground-breaking avionics panel incorporating state-of-the-art sensors. The technology draws inspiration from the remarkable capabilities of owls, harnessing their exceptional auditory prowess to effectively locate and track prey even in the absence of light. The new avionics panel will provide real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities for general aviation aircraft by integrating advanced acoustics sensors with digital signal processing and machine learning algorithms. It will be able to constantly analyze the acoustic signatures of the aircraft engine to detect even the slightest anomalies before they become significant issues, preventing accidents and saving lives.

Alca Avionics Inc. has a strong presence in the South Florida region. It has successfully expanded its operations to many countries, including Panama, the Caribbean, the UK, India, Spain, and the Czech Republic.

The company’s ground-breaking approach to aircraft maintenance exemplifies its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible within the aviation industry. The strategic fusion of state-of-the-art technology and a profound comprehension of customer requirements has enabled Alca Avionics to shape aviation’s future actively, optimizing safety measures and enhancing operational efficiency for all stakeholders.