The HX50 is designed from the ground up as a digitally-enabled machine, fit for 2025 and beyond.

Our latest updates to the Digital Cockpit – encompassing the Primary Flight Display (PFD), Multi-Function Display (MFD), and Integrated Pilot Interface (IPI) – are bringing this vision closer to reality, focusing on intuitive control, enhanced safety, and unparalleled integration.

PFD Refinements

Following the design freeze of the production PFD late last year, our team has been implementing key refinements:

• Intuitive Autopilot Cues: Autopilot settings for altitude, speed, and heading are now clearly displayed with cyan "bugs" on the relevant instruments.
• Enhanced Touch Interaction: Highlighted bands clearly define touch zones for critical buttons, making interactions swift and sure.
• Streamlined Communications: The radio bar has been reordered for a more consistent and user-friendly single-comm configuration and frequency display.
• Optimised Layout: We've subtly adjusted text fields and layouts on the upper data bar to perfectly integrate with the new IPI and warning displays, ensuring a crisp, refined final look.

Introducing "Emotionally Sensitive" Warnings

In the critical moments when a caution or warning is triggered, pilots need clear, actionable information – not confusing alerts. We've designed the HX50's warning system to be "emotionally sensitive":

- Simple Language: Beyond standard warning lights, the system provides key information paraphrased directly from the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) in simple, clear language – telling you what's wrong and what to do.

- Handling Multiple Alerts: To avoid obscuring vital flight data during multiple simultaneous warnings, we've implemented a Caution Advisory System (CAS) panel below the main alert banner. While the main banner can be cleared by the pilot, the CAS messages remain active until the issue is resolved.

- Focus on the Pilot: This clean, intuitive system is designed to deliver the best information, especially beneficial for owner-operators who may not fly every day.

Enhancing the Passenger Experience

We initially explored using the left-hand screen (often used for infotainment) as a large, dedicated traffic scope. However, after careful consideration, we determined that overlaying traffic information directly onto the mapping display (providing context) and relaying immediate threats via the HSI on the PFD offers superior situational awareness for the pilot.

This decision unlocked an exciting opportunity: we now have the freedom to create a fully optimised user interface on the MFD specifically for the non-flying passenger. They can safely and easily manage: Climate Control, Bluetooth Phone Connectivity and Streamed Music, and Multiple Aircraft Camera Feeds.

The IPI & Hill App

The HX50 embraces a paperless future. Technical logs, operational logs, and pilot logs are managed through secure, cloud-based digital record-keeping, facilitated by the Hill App. This requires a seamless and highly secure "digital handshake" between the pilot, support crew, and the aircraft.

• Fast & Secure Login: While the PFD and MFD boot instantly to flight-ready mode, the IPI presents a login screen. Enter your PIN (the system remembers the last user) to activate your saved preferences and automatically log flight time to your account.
• Multi-Pilot Management: Easily switch pilots or add new profiles via a secure connection to the Hill App, which validates credentials against the aircraft.
• Owner Control: Owners can manage who flies their aircraft, ensuring pilots are qualified, current, medically fit, and insured. Records are completed automatically and accurately.
• Intuitive Control Hub: The IPI homepage provides quick access to COM radios, audio panel, barometric settings, transponder, autopilot modes, Bluetooth, climate, and system settings.
• Effortless Adjustments: Swipe left or right on the COM radio areas on both the IPI and PFD to bring up instant volume sliders – no menu diving required! A dedicated "List" button on the cyclic provides fast access to stored radio frequencies (Nearest, Recent, or Synced from the Hill App).
• Deep Personalisation: Store individual preferences for displays, units, brightness, Bluetooth/network connections, EFB settings (including third-party app integration), and more within your unique profile.

Delivering this sophisticated user experience requires robust hardware. Our team is extensively testing the display processors, ensuring they seamlessly combine the UI, background layers, touch functionality, and video feeds at a smooth ~60 frames per second.

While performance is already strong, we're actively optimising memory management and processing power to maximize efficiency and provide ample margin for future capabilities and features.

The evolution of the HX50 Digital Cockpit is about creating an environment where technology serves the pilot and enhances the entire flying experience – for everyone onboard.