Cockpit Controls

Our world-class cockpit controls have granted safety for military applications and commercial use.

Throttles

Our throttles are known for robust design, ergonomic grips, smooth-operation, and environmental protection in open cockpits. We manufacture manual throttles for the F-16, fly-by-wire throttles for Beechcraft and all Sikorsky helicopters. Mason has been designing and manufacturing fly-by-wire throttles since the late 90s with the first S-92 Sikorsky throttle. The latest design will be for the KFX.

Differentiators

• Factory set-and-forget lever friction or variable friction levers

• Sturdy signature FOD shield

• Triggers or push-pull handle gates

Capabilities

• Interfaces available: ARINC 429, CAN, RS422, USB, Ethernet

• Dual or triple RVDTs (potentiometers, resolvers available)

• Levers accommodate: gates, triggers, detents, and switch closures

Certifications

• FAA Part 21, 23, 25, 27, 29

• RTCA/DO-160, MIL-STD-461, 464, 704, 810, 3009, 7788, 85762

Build to Print

We manufacture build-to-print (BTP) assemblies for Sikorsky, Kaman, Bell, and Cessna. Assemblies include manual throttles for the F-16, Cessna fly-by-wire throttles, and stick assemblies for Sikorsky and Bell helicopters. Mason has been building customer designed and engineered assemblies since the 1980s starting with the F-16.

Differentiators

• Capability to incorporate Mason designs and the next level customer assemblies

• Support capability for repairs in house to support programs throughout life cycle

• Ability to contribute to the customer knowledge through similar design experiences

Capabilities

• Vertically integrated facility

• Castings, machining, weldments forgings, and assembly

• Design support for customer improvements

Certifications

• FAA Part 21, 23, 25, 27, 29

• Certified FAA repair facility

Control Columns

Our columns allowed Embraer to move from a hydraulic “cable and pulley” system to a full fly-by-wire system. Detailed engineering forethought went into the columns for maintainability, allowing rapid replacement of critical components and increasing airline dispatchability. The columns are drop-in ready, above floor mounted, and factory rigged. Only the interlinks are installed below the floor.

Differentiators

• Breakout increase device prevents inadvertent commands during autopilot use

• Triple or quad pitch RVDTs, replaceable in aircraft, without column removal

• Triple or quad roll RVDTs, replaceable in aircraft, without column removal

Capabilities

• Column interlinks and disconnects for pitch and roll with manual cable pulls

• Pitch and roll trim or autopilot positioning

• Stall warning column shakers

Certifications

• FAA Part 21, 25

• RTCA/DO-160, 178, 254, MIL-STD-461, 464, 704, 810, ARP4754

• Designed and tested to three life times

Speed Brakes

Our speed brakes feature an ergonomic grip shape in a lightweight, compact design for fly-by-wire aircraft. The speed brakes integrate many of the same robust design features as our flap levers and throttles.

Differentiators

• Factory set-and-forget lever friction, sturdy signature FOD shield

• Pull handle and stow gate, smooth deployment after gate

• Dual redundant load path

Capabilities

• Quad or triple RVDT interface (resolvers available)

• Discrete position switches, potentiometers, hall effect switches

• Open frame or completely enclosed design

Certifications

• FAA Part 21, 23, 25

• RTCA/DO-160, MIL-STD-461, 464, 704, 810, 3009, 7788, 85762 , ARP4754

• Designed and tested to three life times

Landing Gear Levers

Our landing gear levers set the industry standards for safety and continued reliability from the earliest U-2 to the latest KC-390. Our landing gear controllers are used by Boeing, Lockheed, Rockwell, and Embraer.

Differentiators

• Six up and six down long life switch closures

• Solenoid operated interlock

• Over-center tease-proof lever

Capabilities

• Tandem connected for trainer aircraft with pilot force override of trainee

• Illuminated indicia and illuminated handle

• Pull handle interlock in place of solenoid operated interlock

Certifications

• FAA Part 21, 25

• RTCA/DO-160, MIL-STD-461, 464, 704, 810, 3009, 7788, 85762 , ARP4754

• Designed and tested to three life times

Auto Throttles

Our auto throttles are completely integrated and factory rigged. Mason’s auto throttles are known for high reliability, smooth operation, and their extreme low-speed operation. It’s a ready-to-install solution (no need for a separate auto throttle servo and logic unit).

Differentiators

• Factory set-and-forget lever friction, sturdy signature FOD shield

• Pull through thrust reverse with gates, triggers and detents

• Lightest weight in relation to performance

Capabilities

• Dual ARINC 429 Interface or CAN, RS422, USB, Ethernet

• DAL A Enable Circuit, DAL C Auto Throttle Function

• Dual RVDT FADEC interface (potentiometers, resolvers available)

• Extreme low speed micro adjust capability for refueling and sonic boom control

Certifications

• FAA Part 21, 25

• RTCA/DO-160, 178, 254, MIL-STD-461/464, 704, 810, 3009, 7788, 85762, ARP4754

• Designed and tested to three life times

Active Collective Controller

Our patented active controller for the collective on the S-97 advanced experimental helicopter platform is the first of its kind. It is used to control the pitch of main rotor blades via an interface to the FCCs (Flight Control Computers) through redundant ARINC 429 interfaces. Patents have been awarded based on the design of a single shared fly-by-wire electromechanical collective controller that incorporates the use of position sensors, linkages, BLDC motor, strain wave gearhead, mechanical damping, and drive electronics that allow back drive-ability without damage to hardware. The controller components utilize control programming wherein position, rate, and rate limiting provide lever positioning to trim and simulate a programmable spring tactile feedback resistance from trim if and when overridden by the pilots.

Differentiators

• Triple redundant sensors

• Triple redundant ARINC 429 communications

• Triple redundant power

• Triple redundant command and monitor configuration

• DAL A – level safety requirements allowing single controller to be used

• Internal CANbus communications architecture between triple redundant command monitor cards

• Smooth operation without detectable motor ripple

• Master controller channel is changed on power up, promoting even wear

• Failsafes for the motor, RVDT sensors and damper in case of jam conditions

• Grip counter balanced as failsafe for motor controller

• Quick disconnect grip

• Strength requirements – capable of supporting the weight of a pilot standing on the unit

Capabilities

• IBIT health monitoring

• Customer-programmable rate

• Customer-programmable force

• Mechanical damping failsafe

• Back drivable motor and gearbox design

• Positioning based on rate or absolute positioning

Future Capabilities:

• Internal CANbus used between two controllers to create master and slave (the controller being overridden by pilot would become the master controller)

• ARINC 429 communications can be used with FCC to create linked master and slave controllers

• Force sensors can be added to determine pilot input for master and slave

Certifications

• MIL-STD-882 Safety criteria and methodology to classify and rank hazardous conditions

• MIL-STD-810

• Humidity 507.4

• Temperature Altitude 520.2

• Vibration 514.5

• Crash Safety 516.5

• Explosive Atmosphere 511.4

• Limit Loads

• Ultimate Loads

• Endurance

• ESS – Random vibration and temperature cycling

Rudder and Brake Pedals

Our rudder pedals set a new standard for ergonomics in pedal design. The pedals change angle as they are adjusted fore and aft to accommodate 5 to 95 percentile pilots. The pedals are more vertical at the forward-most position in the aircraft for taller pilots and less vertical in the aft-most position for shorter pilots. The pedals are drop-in ready, above floor mounted, and factory rigged.

Differentiators

• Motorized pedal positioning

• Dual or triple brake LVDTs, spring loaded out-of-position failure reporting

• Triple or quad rudder RVDTs, replaceable in aircraft, without pedal removal

Capabilities

• Below floor, above floor mounting, or any hybrid

• Manual positioning

• Other interfaces available in place of VDTs

• Rudder trim positioning with additional components

Certifications

• FAA Part 21, 25

• RTCA/DO-160, MIL-STD-461/464, 464, 704, 810, ARP4754

• Designed and tested to three life times

Flap Levers

Our flap levers feature an ergonomic grip shape in a lightweight, compact design for fly-by-wire aircraft. The flap levers integrate many of the same robust design features as our throttles and auto throttles.

Differentiators

• Factory set and forget lever friction, sturdy signature FOD shield

• Triggers and individual position gates

• Dual redundant load path

• Small form factor

Capabilities

• Quad or triple RVDT interface (resolvers available)

• Discrete position switches, potentiometers, hall effect switches

• Open frame or completely enclosed design

Certifications

• FAA Part 21, 23, 25

• RTCA/DO-160, MIL-STD-461, 464, 704, 810, 3009, 7788, 85762 , ARP4754

• Designed and tested to three life times

More Information

Mason is a premier designer of cyclic and collective grips. Our MASON controls can be found on today’s top rotary aircraft. We supply custom-designed cyclic, collective, and target acquisition grips for the Apache Longbow and hoist grips for the Blackhawk. We participate on the most modern projects, such as the V-22 Osprey, and manage controls upgrades of older aircraft, such as the Super Puma 330. MASON grips are also built into many commercial platforms such as the Sikorsky S-76, Bell helicopters, and all Enstrom models.

MASON cyclic and collective grips use a variety of switches in combination with optical encoders and potentiometers to operate in-flight controls, weapons systems, cursor controls, and communications.

Categories

California SCTA Notice

Contact Us

Tel: 818-361-3366

Email: mason.sales@masoncontrols.com

Mailing address:
Mason Controls
13955 Balboa Boulevard
Sylmar, CA 91342

End Applications

Quality Policy

Mason designs and manufactures complex controls that are mission critical and require the highest degree of quality. We take pride driving our business to achieve the highest levels of customer delight through continuously improving the Safety, Quality, and Delivery of our products and services. Click here to learn more.