E-I-C Note: As ANN prepares for its first
major LIVE Aero-TV
programming, we have to admit that we've been
flogging the video geeks to within an inch of their lives to get
ready... Still, before we really put the pressure on, we've
decided to give them a SLIGHT break and will be offering classic
episodes of Aero-TV, all with an Avionics Theme, in order to
prepare for "hell week."
We hope you enjoy these truly great episodes as well as the
exciting live programming coming up this week. By the way... if you
think what Aspen showed off this time was cool, JUST WAIT TIL YOU
SEE what they have in store for you this week... Hint,
hint...
At the 2009 AOPA Summit, over 7,500 aviation enthusiasts and
industry leaders convened at the Tampa Convention Center, where
vendors displayed the latest in general aviation technology.
Attendees also toured a wide-array of aircraft models at the nearby
Peter O’Knight Airport. ANN’s Jim Campbell had the
opportunity to fly a retrofitted Cirrus SR-22, equipped with the
complete 3-screen Aspen Avionics’ total glass cockpit
solution, the Evolution Flight Display System.
With Aspen’s patented retrofit technology, pilots can
bring a total glass cockpit that is both easily upgradeable and
substantially cheaper to install in any general aviation
aircraft. The system features Evolution’s EFD1000 Pro
PFD, the EFD1000 MFD, and the EFD500 MFD. The EFD1000 Pro PFD
provides professional-grade EFIS primary flight instruments,
including a full-featured electronic HSI and moving map
capabilities.
The EFD1000 MFD not only doubles the display area, it provides
full PFD instrument backup; by using the same hardware and software
configurations in both units, the total Evolution system provides
dual independent AHRS, Air Data Computers, compass systems, HSIs,
and more to provide full redundancy of critical systems and
sensors.
The Evolution Flight Display’s consistent software
platform also allows the system to be highly flexible to a
pilot’s changing needs and budgetary allowances. The EFDs are
fully upgradeable via software updates so additional components,
such as the newly announced Version 2.0, can be added without
removing the display from the aircraft’s
panel. Introduced during the 2009 AOPA Summit, the Version 2.0
Evolution software upgrade is available for immediate installation
at any authorized Aspen dealer.
With the Version 2.0 upgrade, Aspen PFD owners are now able to
add Evolution Hazard Awareness (EHA), integrating datalink weather,
lightning detection, and traffic into the navigation display.
In addition, new enhancements include improved EFD1000
functionality and interfaces, altitude trend vector display, and
supporting interface with the EWR50 Evolution Weather Receiver.