Designed With Pilots, Proven in Flight: The Enduring Impact of Primus Epic

1000s of Pilots, One Ideal Flight Deck: Primus Epic

A whole generation of pilots came of age flying Honeywell’s groundbreaking Primus Epic integrated flight deck. Introduced 30 years ago, Primus Epic reshaped how pilots make decisions, process information and manage aircraft systems.

Primus Epic integrates navigation, flight management and intelligent design to present a clear, consistent view of the aircraft and its operating environment. It features large flat-panel liquid crystal displays, a Windows-like display architecture and a human-centered cockpit layout to make flying easier and more intuitive.

More than that, Primus Epic has redefined the relationship between pilots and their aircraft by turning the cockpit into a “strategic partner” that transforms complex data into actionable intelligence, anticipates pilot needs with phase-of-flight logic and makes flying safer and easier for pilots of all experience levels.

Business jet owners and operators also understand the benefits of Primus Epic, which is constantly evolving with upgrades that improve uptime, reduce maintenance costs and boost resale value.

Primus Epic is installed on thousands of best-selling business jets, regional airliners, and helicopters, including models from Gulfstream, Dassault, Embraer, Pilatus and Leonardo.

Primus Epic Technology is a Pilot’s Partner

Nat Iyengar has 30-plus years of experience in Gulfstream business jets, including the G650 and G700, which are equipped with the Gulfstream PlaneView and Symmetry flight decks, respectively. Both cockpits are based on the Honeywell Primus Epic.

“Modern cockpit technology is a partner that helps pilots manage workload, avoid errors and maintain high levels of situational awareness,” said Iyengar, who is based near San Jose, California, and flies for aviation services provider Jet Aviation. “Pilots value continuous improvement, user-centered design and the integration of new technologies that make flying safer and more efficient.”

He compares the user interfaces on the Epic-based Symmetry flight deck to those of everyday devices like smartphones. “This makes the cockpit easier to use and reduces the chances of errors,” Iyengar said. “Phase-of-flight logic anticipates what the pilot needs and presents relevant tools and information to streamline workflow, enhance safety and promote pilot confidence.”

Primus Epic Advances ‘Move the Needle’

“Cockpit advances have moved the needle when it comes to safety, situational awareness and ease of use,” said Ron McKune, a business jet pilot with 38 years in the cockpit, most of it flying Honeywell avionics. He flies a Gulfstream G650 with the company’s PlaneView avionics for a private owner-operator based in the Seattle area.

“A lot of safety advances are integrated into the PlaneView cockpit, like the Synthetic Vision System (SVS) and Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS),” McKune said. “I also am a big fan of the INAV Integrated Navigation System, which makes the navigation process cleaner, and Crew Resource Management (CRM), which lets the other pilot see exactly what you’re doing.”

Powered by continuous advances from Gulfstream and Honeywell, PlaneView “just keeps getting better,” McKune said. “I look forward to new integration advancements that will help pilots stay up to date with real-time information during every phase of flight.”

EASy Does It With Epic-Based Falcon Flight deck

The Dassault Falcon fourth-generation EASy IV Flight deck is aptly named, according to Honeywell Chief Pilot Jonathan Maas, who flies the advanced new Primus Epic-based system installed on Honeywell’s Falcon 8X test aircraft.

Dassault’s EASy IV flight deck represents the latest iteration of Dassault’s groundbreaking Enhanced Avionics System (EAS) based on Honeywell’s Primus Epic. It delivers increased processing power, high-resolution displays and advanced graphical flight planning to support safer, more efficient operations in every phase of flight, according to Maas.

“EASy IV truly makes flying safer and more intuitive in complex airspace,” he said. “In addition, the enhanced fidelity of the screens and features like the 3D airport moving maps and INAV make navigating complex airports at night or in bad weather safer and easier.”

A Great Experience Is All In A Day’s Work

Helping Gulfstream create a superior flying experience for Gulfstream pilots is all in a day’s work for Honeywell Test Pilot Josh Lewis, Project Pilot on the all-new G300 super-midsize Gulfstream jet. The G300 will feature the new Gulfstream Harmony Flight deck, which is based on Primus Epic 2.0.

“The flight deck feels very comfortable because everything is where you expect it to be and the information is clear,” said Lewis, who has seven years of experience flying Gulfstream Symmetry-equipped aircraft for Honeywell. “This takes a lot of friction out of flying and lets pilots focus on flying passengers safely and smoothly to their destination.”

On the Gulfstream G300 program, Lewis provides a critical link between flight crews, human factors specialists and engineers as the Harmony Flight deck takes shape.

“It’s really a pleasure supporting Gulfstream and Honeywell teams that are making the Harmony Flight deck the best it can be,” he said. “It’s interesting and fun to be involved in the design phase and see all this functionality and ease of operation come to fruition. I think pilots are going to love it!”

PlaneView and Symmetry Flight Deck are registered trademarks of Gulfstream Aerospace.