Audio Authority founder and aviation enthusiast Jonathan Sisk. His passion and personal experiences in general aviation led to the development of the latest iteration of their White Lightning family of “smart” GPUs.

New White Lightning SmartGPU combines reliable power with wireless connectivity.

Portable ground power units are the unsung heroes of the hangar. While no one can deny their utility, they are often overlooked as crucial support players for aircraft owners. In fact, their usefulness can go far beyond powering up the plane for the occasional database update or avionics troubleshooting. They can be an important tool in your preflight toolkit that not only makes efficient use of your time but might increase the safety of your next flight.

Before a flight, you know the drill: Once at the aircraft, you have a mental checklist of the items you need to check, assess, and address: tire pressures, oil sumps, hydraulics, database updates, as well as the normal airframe inspection. Every pilot has their process, but there are a few items he or she might be tempted to skip for the sake of preserving precious battery power. For those turbine pilots among us, we are laser-focused on preserving all available battery power to ensure a cool start. Often, the result can be a rushed preflight or one that does not include anything electrical, such as lights.

It has been well-documented and reinforced by accident reports that an abbreviated or compressed preflight can be the first link in the accident chain. Alternatively, a GPU used correctly, can power the aircraft during preflight while actually “topping off” the battery and allow you to take your time thoroughly inspecting the aircraft.

Building a Better (Connected) Mousetrap
There are several perfectly acceptable portable GPUs suited for the owner-pilot on the market today. But wouldn’t it be great if your GPU offered “smart” technologies like Wi-Fi connectivity and monitoring, allowing you to view the condition of your battery from the palm of your hand using a mobile app, regardless of whether you’re inside the hangar or in the comfort of your home?

GPU manufacturer Audio Authority thought so, too. At 2024 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh later this month, the company will unveil the first general aviation GPU to offer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as a host of “smart” features not found on any other GA power unit.

The new White Lightning™ SmartGPU™ allows you to connect and remotely control the unit via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi using an iOS and Android-compatible mobile app. The unit itself has a four-inch color display that shows precise digital output metering and operational information. All parameters displayed on the GPU itself are replicated in real-time on the SmartGPU mobile app, so line-of-sight to the GPU is no longer an operational requirement.

The unit is equipped with several customizable “smart” features. Owners can also set up multiple aircraft and operator profiles within the unit, along with event logging. You can also program an auto-shutdown timer to prevent inadvertent unattended GPU operation. It will even monitor and display the ambient temperature in your hangar and allow you to set customizable trigger alert settings. You’ll never have to wonder again if the heat is operating in your hangar.

The SmartGPU is also portable. It weighs in at only 16 pounds and is 18-inches long by 5-inches wide and 7-inches high. Further, it has built-in safety protections from overload, over-voltage, over-temperature or short-circuit.

Initially, the SmartGPU will be available in two models: a 3200W unit (114A at 28 volts) and a 1500W unit (54A at 28 volts), both sharing a common chassis and feature set. The Model S28114 will provide up to 114 amperes of 28VDC power and meets the demanding needs of turboprop and business jet operators, offering a compact, lightweight design without compromising on power.

The Model S28054 provides all the same features and up to 54 amperes at 28VDC and is generally well-suited for piston-powered aircraft. Both units have worldwide AC input compatibility and come complete with heavy-duty output cables and input cord sets. They also have USB ports for data downloads, firmware upgrades, and device charging.

Long History of GPU Development
Audio Authority, which introduced its first GPUs 20 years ago, was founded by GA pilot and enthusiast Jonathan Sisk, who has owned and operated everything from a homebuilt RV-14 to cabin-class business aircraft. His company specializes in the innovative design and manufacturing of electronics and power supplies, serving industries such as aviation, the consumer electronics trade, and commercial audio-video intercoms. If you’ve used the intercom at the drive-up at your local bank or pharmacy, there’s a good chance you communicated with the teller using Audio Authority’s equipment.

His passion and personal experiences in general aviation led to the development of the latest iteration of their White Lightning family of “smart” GPUs.

“We believe the White Lightning SmartGPU represents a significant leap forward in technology, providing aircraft operators with the tools they need to streamline operations and enhance safety,” said Sisk, CEO at Audio Authority. “The ability to monitor and operate the GPU and battery maintenance charger remotely gives aircraft owners peace of mind knowing that their aircraft and its battery are in optimal condition, ready to fly when they are.”

Sisk also emphasized that the SmartGPU was conceived with scalability and longevity in mind. “We build the SmartGPU with a future-ready design that it can adapt to future technological advancements,” he said. “With its unparalleled features and capabilities, the SmartGPU is poised to revolutionize ground power operations for aircraft of higher performance, weight, and speed.”

See It at OSH
For its public debut, the SmartGPU has been selected to power the new Piper M700 Fury while on display at Piper’s EAA AirVenture exhibit. [Booth 140]. The SmartGPU will provide power through the M700’s external power receptacle to energize its advanced Garmin 3000 flight deck systems, external and interior lighting, flight control motors, hydraulics, ventilation, and other airframe accessories.

Those attending Oshkosh can stop by the Piper exhibit to see the SmartGPU in action. You can also enter a drawing to win a White Lightning GPU.

How to Order
The 3,200-watt unit will be available for $2,495. The 1,500-watt SmartGPU is priced at $1,595. There are several cable options depending on power requirements and an optional 10-amp integrated BatteryMINDer Maintenance Charger, which is priced at an additional $295. It also comes with a limited one-year parts-and-labor warranty.

The SmartGPU line will be available for order and shipping in Fall 2024. For more information and to place an order, visit WhiteLightningGPU.com.