DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Jeppesen Sanderson avstar by Texas Instruments
Date of introduction: | 1986 | Display technology: | LCD |
New price: | Display size: | 8 | |
Size: | 5.3" x 2.8" x 0.45" 135 x 70 x 11 mm3 |
||
Weight: | 2.3 ounces, 64 grams | Serial No: | 0303409 |
Batteries: | 2*LR44 | Date of manufacture: | mth 07 year 1989 |
AC-Adapter: | Origin of manufacture: | Taiwan (C) | |
Precision: | 11 | Integrated circuits: | TP0328 |
Memories: | 1 | ||
Program steps: | Courtesy of: | Joerg Woerner |
This
Flight computer developed by the Aviation specialist Jeppesen Sanderson and
calculator manufacturer Texas Instruments is based on the avstar
slimline model introduced in the year 1980. We assume that the original avstar
suffered from the same keyboard problems known from other slimline models like
the TI-35. Four years later a more reliable
keyboard was available from the TI-35-II and
as a
consequence we got this wonderful avstar.
Dismantling
an avstar Flight computer manufactured in July 1989 by Compal
Electronics in Taiwan reveals an unusual construction with a well known
TP0328 single-chip calculator circuit.
A more sophisticated Flight computer
sold as prostar by
Jeppesen Sanderson used the slanted housing known from the TI-55-II.
Later Flight computers sold by
Jeppesen Sanderson like the Techstar based on a
non-TI design.
Don't miss the rare APOTHECALC computer using similar technology for a different application.
The colorful keyboard of this Flight computer makes it easy to understand the functions.
•
Alt/AS: Calibrated, True Airspeed, Pressure,
Density Altitude • WIND: Wind Speed, Direction, Course and Heading • TSD: Time-Speed-Distance, Distance and fuel consumption • CMP: Computes in the above modes the different values • CNV: Convert between US and SI-units • T: Time calculations |
PA
- stores a value in the pressure altidude register.
DA - computes the density altitude.
T°C - stores a value in the true temperature register.
I°C - stores a value in the indicated temperature register.
TAS - computes the true airspeed
CAS - stores a value in the calibrated airspeed register
WDr
- stores a value in the wind direction register.
WSp - stores a value in the wind speed register.
TAS - stores a value in the true airspeed register. Could use a
calculated value from Altidude/Airspeed mode, too.
Crs - stores a value in the course register.
Hdg - stores a value in the heading register.
G/ff - stores a value in the groundspeed register
TIME
- stores a value in the time register.
Ds/F - stores a value in the distance or fuel quantity register.
G/ff - stores a value in the groundspeed or fuel per hour register.
This example demonstrates you the usage of the Flight computer for a simple calculation:
Your groundspeed is 120 knots, the distance 140 nautical miles. How long is the time enroute ?
TSD 140 Ds/F 120 G/ff CMP TIME displays the result 1-10-00 (one hour and ten minutes)
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, December 5, 2001. No reprints without written permission.