Preparing a flight plan on a tablet and loading it into an aircraft’s flight management system can still involve separate steps. Universal Avionics says its Connected FMS upgrade, announced on 30 October 2026, has received EASA certification for specified business aircraft, regional jets and turboprops.
The upgrade supports flight-plan exchange, wireless database updates and post-flight data transfer.
The EASA certification follows earlier FAA and Transport Canada approvals for Part 23 and Part 25 aircraft.
The Difference Between Receiving Data and Changing the Plan
Pilots may prepare a flight using an electronic flight bag or flight-planning application, then transfer the relevant information into the aircraft’s certified FMS.
Connecting the two systems can reduce manual entry, but only when the software supports the required exchange.
Universal’s Connected Avionics solution uses its FlightPartner iPad applications to support flight planning and two-way interaction with compatible Universal FMS installations.
The company’s SSDTU+ documentation specifically identifies two-way flight-plan data exchange with the Universal WAAS FMS (UNS-1w).
Pilots can view and update the FMS flight plan from the tablet on the ground and during flight.
Universal says third-party applications can also receive FMS flight data.
An application receiving aircraft position, flight-path or fuel information is not necessarily able to modify the FMS flight plan.
The EASA announcement does not identify specific third-party EFB products offering the same two-way flight-plan functions as Universal’s FlightPartner applications.
What the Upgrade Changes in the Cockpit
The connection is enabled by Universal’s Solid-State Data Transfer Unit Plus (SSDTU+), which incorporates a low-power cockpit Wi-Fi access point.
Universal says the unit includes built-in cybersecurity protections.
The SSDTU+ provides a connection between compatible tablets and the aircraft’s avionics.
Universal says the SSDTU+ retains the mechanical and electrical installation arrangement of its existing SSDTU. Aircraft already equipped with the earlier unit therefore have a more straightforward hardware upgrade path.
The company also offers its FlightReview application for aircraft performance reporting and analysis, with third-party software support for trend monitoring.
EASA Approval Covers Business Aircraft and Regional Types
The certification is an Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate (AML STC).
Universal’s published EASA-approved aircraft list includes specified models from Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, Gulfstream, Hawker and Learjet.
It also includes selected ATR 42 and ATR 72, De Havilland Dash 8, Embraer ERJ-135/145 and Saab 340 variants.
The list shows eligible models, not how many aircraft have a compatible Universal FMS.
