ASA Electronics cx-3 User Manual
CX
Flight Computer
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3
USER’S GUIDE
CX3
USER’S GUIDE
CONTENTS
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CX
3
Flight Computer
Introduction
Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Screen Overview
Line Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Setting Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Theme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Backlighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Time Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Default Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Unit Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Favorite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Aircraft Prole. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
User Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Resetting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Menu System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Favorite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
FLT (E6-B Functions) . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Unit Conversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Altitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Pressure Altitude . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Density Altitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Cloud Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Standard Atmosphere . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Airspeed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Planned TAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Actual TAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Required CAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Planned MACH# . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Actual MACH# . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Fuel Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Fuel Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Endurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Ground Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Glide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Climb & Descent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Wind Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Estimated Time Arrival . . . . . . . . . . . 11
To-From . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Compass Heading . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Wind Correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Rhumb Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Holding Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Plan (Trip Functions). . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stopwatch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Count Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Calc (Calculator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
W/B (E6-B FUNCTION)
Weight and Balance . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Weight Shift Formula. . . . . . . . . . . 17
%MAC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Appendix A: Service Policy . . . . . . . . 18
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Battery Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 18
Limited Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Appendix B: Updating the CX-3 Firmware 19
Appendix C: CX-3 Backup Procedure . .
Saving Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Restoring Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Appendix D: Abbreviations Guide . . . . 21
. . . . . . . . . . 16
15
20
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CX
3
Flight Computer
INTRODUCTION
ASA’s CX-3 is the next generation aviation ight
computer. Using the latest microchip and display
technologies, the CX-3 features make it the most
versatile and useful aviation calculator available.
May be used during FAA and Canadian
Knowledge Exams. The CX-3 complies with FAA
Order 8080.6 and Advisory Circular (AC) 60-11, “Test
Aids and Materials That May be Used by Airman
Knowledge Testing Applicants”; therefore, you may
bring the CX-3 with you to the testing centers for all
pilot, mechanic, and dispatcher FAA exams.
Numerous aviation functions. You can calculate
everything from true airspeed, Mach number, fuel
burn, and holding patterns to headwind/crosswind
components, center of gravity (CG), and many more.
The menu structure provides easy entry, review, and
editing within each function. Multiple problems can
be solved within one function.
User-friendly. The color LCD screen displays a
menu of functions and the inputs and outputs of a
selected function with easy-to-read menus and data
displays. The inputs and outputs of each function
are separated on the display screen to distinguish
between entered numbers and calculated values,
along with their corresponding units of measurement.
The menu organization reects the normal process
for planning and executing a ight. The result is a
natural ow from one function to the next with a
minimum of keystrokes: to plan a ight, simply work
from the menus in sequential order as you ll in your
ight plan form.
Non-volatile memory. All settings, including
aircraft prole, weight and balance data, trip plan
data, values entered by the user, and calculations
performed by the device, will be retained until the
batteries are removed or the user performs a memory
reset. Follow the procedure outlined in Appendix C
on page 20 to back up and restore memory.
Ergonomic design. The CX-3 features a simple
keyboard and slim design. The non-slip cover
protects your computer inside a ight bag and ts on
the back of the unit for easy storage while in use.
Unit conversions. The CX-3 has 12 unit
conversions: Distance, Speed, Duration,
Temperature, Pressure, Volume, Rate, Weight, Rate
of Climb/Descent, Angle of Climb/Descent, Torque,
and Angle. These 12 conversion categories contain
38 different conversion units for more than 100
functions.
Timers and clocks. The CX-3 has two timers: a
stopwatch that counts up and a countdown timer.
The stopwatch can be used to keep track of elapsed
time or to determine the time required to y a known
distance. The countdown timer can be used as a
reminder to switch fuel tanks, or to determine the
missed approach point on a non-precision instrument
approach. An internal clock continues running even
when the ight computer is turned off. UTC and local
time can be displayed, and the time can be set with
UTC, destination, or local time.
Interactive functions. The CX-3 is designed so
the functions can be used together. You can perform
“chain” calculations where the answer to a preceding
problem is automatically entered in subsequent
problems. Standard mathematical calculations and
conversions can be performed within each aviation
function.
Up to date. Check often for new CX-3 updates
online at www.asa2y.com/CX3
procedure is outlined in Appendix B on page 19 of
this guide.
. The update
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CX-3
Flight Computer
KEYPAD
The CX-3’s simple keypad is possible because of the sophisticated
display screen and menu structure. The advantages of such a keypad are
twofold: A calculator with 35 keys is simpler to use than one with 50 or
more, and it is small enough to t in a shirt pocket. Both advantages make
the CX-3 useful to pilots in day-to-day operations.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
÷ x — +
FLT PLAN TIMER CALC W/B
BACK
Numeric keys for entering
numbers.
Standard arithmetic operators.
Selects each of the ve main
menus.
Used to navigate through the
menu structure.
Power to turn CX-3 ON/OFF.
Select highlighted menu item,
or enter current input line when
function is requesting input.
Favorites: sets a saved function for
easy recall.
Changes display to the previous
menu.
M
Memory function for saving numbers.
SET
Sets the current units for a given
UNIT
function.
CONV
Converts the current value into
UNIT
another unit.
C
Clears current input line. In calculator
mode, clears the math completely.
BKSP
Deletes the last entered value.
:
Separates hours from minutes and
minutes from seconds on time
inputs. For example, 2 hours, 38
minutes and 45 seconds will display
as 02:38:45.
+
Changes sign (positive or negative)
−
of current input line.
SET
Use to access the CX-3’s
preferences settings (Theme,
Backlighting, Time Set, Units,
Aircraft Prole, etc.)
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Decimal point.
Activates the square root function.
√
Completes the calculation.
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CX-3
Flight Computer
SCREEN OVERVIEW
The status bar at the top of the screen includes the name of the current
menu function, display time, and battery indicator. Below the status bar
is the submenu identifying the function name. The highlighted line item
indicates the currently selected function. The bottom line will be cut in half
to show that there are more elds below.
◗ LINE ICONS
Line icons indicate data that is missing, entered,
solved for, or entered and saved elsewhere.
Line icons will change as values are entered and
calculations are solved.
A green icon with a check mark indicates
entered data.
=
A green icon with an equals sign indicates
calculated data.
An amber icon indicates unsolved data; the
?
unsolved eld is shown on the right side of
the screen with 2 dashes (where the value will
appear when entered).
A blue circle icon indicates repeated global
values if more than one leg is added to the trip.
◗ BATTERY INDICATOR
The battery level is checked every 15 seconds
and multiple readings are taken before the level is
updated. The battery indicator will display four levels:
100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%. The icon will display as
white unless the battery level is at or below 25%, at
which point it will display as red.
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CX-3
Flight Computer
GETTING STARTED
PRESS THE ORANGE POWER button located in
the middle of the CX-3 to turn the ight computer on.
Hold the orange power button for 3 seconds to turn
the ight computer off. The CX-3 keypad backlighting
will automatically turn off after 3 minutes of inactivity;
backlighting can be turned back on by pressing any
key. If left inactive for 10 minutes, the CX-3 will turn
off; information will be saved and you can resume
by pressing the power button. This feature prevents
battery exhaustion if the computer is inadvertently left
on. When rst turned on, the CX-3 will return to the
most recent menu used before the device was last
turned off.
◗ SETTING PREFERENCES
Press the button, scroll to the item you want to
set, and tap enter.
Theme
Choose from three options for maximum visibility while
in use.
— Standard: Black background, white lettering
— Night: Black background, green and white lettering
— Daylight: White background, black lettering
Backlighting
Choose from four options to improve visibility given the
ambient light conditions.
— Normal: Medium backlit screen; keypad not lit.
— Daylight: Maximum backlit screen; keypad not lit.
— Dusk: Medium-low backlit screen; keypad lit.
— Night: Low backlit screen; keypad lit.
*(Note: Normal backlighting will conserve battery
power for the longest period.)
Time Set
The CX-3 uses a 24-hour clock and does not account
for daylight saving time. The internal clock lets you
set both local and UTC time and will continue running
even with the calculator turned off. The CX-3 contains
SET
a single clock representing Coordinated Universal
Time (UTC), also known as Greenwich Mean Time
(GMT) or Zulu time. There are two steps to set the
internal clock. First, set the UTC or Local time and
Destination time. Next, set the Timezone for both
local and destination.
If the time is after noon, you will need to enter the
time based on a 24-hour clock; for example, 2 p.m.
would be 14:00:00. To set the clock to 1:30 p.m. in
the Pacic Time Zone:
1. Press button, scroll to Time Set and tap
2. Scroll to Time Zone: Local and tap enter.
3. Scroll up to select the Pacic Time Zone and tap
4. Scroll to Time Set: Local.
5. Input and tap enter.
6. You will now see UTC 21:30:00 and Local
7. Scroll to Time Zone: Destination and tap enter to
The display time on the top status bar will show
the time as displayed under Time Set: Local. If you
would like the status bar to display UTC time, select
“GMT, Western European” under Set Time Zone:
Local. Note that a Z now appears after the display
time to signify that all times shown are UTC.
Default Units
Set the device to default to U.S. or Metric units.
Unit Changes
This allows for units to be changed for a given
calculation per screen or per line item. For example,
“Individually” will modify the unit for a single line in a
given calculation while “Per Screen” will change all
instances of that unit for a given calculation.
Favorite
This allows for creating a shortcut to a specic
function. This shortcut will be saved and accessed by
pressing the button.
SET
enter.
enter.
01 : :33
13:30:00.
set a destination Time Zone
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CX-3
Flight Computer
Aircraft Prole
This feature allows for entering specic data for the
airplane most frequently used for quick reference and
input when calculating weight and balance.
— K: The instrument calibration factor of the airplane.
This is used to calculate OAT from TAT (and viceversa) and is dependent on airspeed. It is set to
a default value of 1.0. This value is dependent on
the aircraft.
— Prole Valid: This allows you to set your prole On
or Off once all data is entered. If On, the aircraft
prole data will be used for all weight and balance
calculations.
— Empty Aircraft: Enter a reduction factor (RF). An
RF of 1 means all entries are taken at face value.
An RF of 100 means each moment is divided
by 100 before the calculator displays it or the
operator enters it; this will be taken into account
when the total and CG are computed. Enter 2 out
of 3 of the values for Wt, Arm, and Mom; the CX-3
will calculate the third automatically.
— Fuel (FuelAux): Type can be selected by pressing
enter (Av Gas: 6 lbs., Jet Fuel: 6.84 lbs., Oil: 7.50
lbs.).
◗ RESETTING
To wipe the memory and reset the CX-3, remove
all of the batteries. The FAA requires that all the
memory in an electronic ight computer be cleared
prior to use during FAA Knowledge Exams. You
may want to back up your data before resetting the
CX-3; see Appendix C on page 20 for instructions.
◗ USB
The CX-3 accepts a micro-type B-USB plug (not
included) to connect to the computer. This feature
allows users to save their settings and data. Once
connected to a computer, the CX-3 will be displayed
as a mass storage device when the unit is turned
on. The le “data.cx3” can then be saved and
reloaded back onto the CX-3 after factory defaults
have been restored. Instructions for updating the
CX-3’s rmware can be found in Appendix B on
page 19, and the procedure for backing up and
restoring data is detailed in Appendix C on page 20.
— Individual Item Arms: Enter up to three arms for
pilot/passenger locations (each can be considered
a row). Enter up to two cargo station locations
and three custom elds available for various other
required stations.
* Note that all unsolved data elds must contain
a value for the prole to be valid. If a eld is not
required, simply enter a value of 0.00 (i.e., Custom 1
= 0.00 IN).
User Data
This allows you to Cancel, Save, and Recall
Version
This displays the rmware version installed on the CX-3.
?
user data.
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CX-3
Flight Computer
MENU SYSTEM
The CX-3 menu system is organized to reect the natural order of ight. Simply
work through the menus in sequential order as you complete your ight plan.
When a menu is displayed, the menu items can
be selected by highlighting a particular choice by
scrolling or followed by tapping the enter key.
To return to the previous menu, press the key.
You can go directly to the Flight, Plan, Timer,
Calculator, and Weight & Balance menus by pressing
FLT PLAN TIMER CALC
the , , , , and keys. Any CX-3
function can be reached with a maximum of 2
keystrokes. See Appendix D on page 21 for a quick
guide to names and abbreviations of the various
functions.
The computer will prompt you for the inputs with
an amber question mark, and the answers will display
with a green equals sign. The formulas used for these
functions handle multiple units of measure. The CX-3
will convert any headings exceeding 360 to remain
within 360°. For example, if you enter 390 for any
heading, the CX-3 will change this to 30 once you
tap enter. All math and conversion functions can be
carried out on any input line.
The CX-3 remembers the most recent display
of variables, whether it was an input or an answer.
The CX-3 will offer these again for any subsequent
function requiring the same variables for a solution.
This allows for “chains” of problems, where a value
W/B
BACK
that is an answer in one function will be automatically
entered as input in a succeeding function. If a
function is repeated, any and all input lines will be
re-entered automatically by tapping enter. This allows
you to repeat a calculation where only one or two
inputs are changed, with minimum effort. You may
delete the inputs to be changed by pressing C or
simply typing in replacement numbers. Resetting the
computer will delete everything in memory. This will
reset all variables to zero.
The numbers displayed as inputs are the numbers
used in the calculations. The CX-3 will round each
input variable to two decimal places. Similarly, each
function output variable is also rounded to two
decimal places. This rounding procedure means
the display will always be accurate for the numbers
displayed and keep numbers manageable, yet will
also allow for precise answers.
◗ FAVORITE
The button is a shortcut to a specic function.
This shortcut can be saved or changed in the
settings menu and can then be quickly accessed by
pressing the button.
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