SatIR, Lightning, Winds And Temps Aloft All Delivered Via MLX770 Sat Datalink

Avidyne announced Tuesday that they have added significant new weather products to the data feed for customers flying with the MLX770 two-way datalink transceiver. The new weather products include Infrared Satellite Imagery (SatIR), worldwide lightning and winds & temperatures aloft. 

"Avidyne is focused on delivering avionics solutions that make flying safer and these additional weather products make the MLX770 an even more compelling weather avoidance solution, especially for international customers." said Avidyne Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Herguth.

The MLX770 is a single-channel datalink transceiver that provides WSI's industry-leading InFlight weather data products and two-way text messaging services via the Iridium satellite network for display on Avidyne's Entegra EX5000 and EX500 Multi-Function Displays (MFD), as well as on Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) from Advanced Data Research and other manufacturers.

Avidyne MFDs will require a field-loadable software update in order to view the new weather products.  The EX500 will require Release 4.1 software, and the large-screen EX5000 requires Release 8.1 software.  Third-party EFB manufacturers will also require additional software updates.

Standard WSI's InFlight weather products available with the MLX770 include worldwide graphical METARs, textual METARs, and TAFs; Radar is offered as a Premium service. In addition to providing worldwide weather services, the MLX770 provides convenient two-way text messaging between the airborne MFD or EFB and compatible ground-based SMS-capable mobile phones or e-mail addresses, allowing pilots to communicate with family and friends from their aircraft while in flight.

The MLX770 Two-Way Datalink Transceiver promotional price is $7,990, including antenna and two years (or 200 hours) of free weather data service.  Promotional pricing ends Dec 31, 2009.

The list price of the field-loadable Release 4.1/8.1 MFD software upgrade, which will be available in December 2009, is $495 for customers who already have Release 3.0/7.0 (or later) MFDs, and $1,095 for MFDs with older software versions. However, Avidyne is offering the Release 4.1/8.1 software update free of charge for all current MLX770 owners with an EX500 or EX5000MFD (uninstalled).

Standard Worldwide Datalink Weather Service pricing starts as low as $50 per month for 10 hours of flying with the Basic Service plan. Premium Services plans cost approximately $115 per month for 10 hours of flying.

FMI: www.avidyne.com