Avidyne has just tipped
ANN to the fact that the FAA has awarded TSO and STC approval for
XM WX satellite weather and CMax Electronic Approach Chart display
capabilities for Avidyne's FlightMax® EX500 multi-function
displays. This certification also includes approval for EX500
Release 2.0 system software, which adds major roads and rivers to
the base map, as well as providing a TIS traffic interface with the
GTX330 transponder. The EX500 provides the most advanced and
affordable datalink weather and situational awareness tools
including the largest array of radar and sensor interfaces
available.
With the addition of XM WX datalink weather, the EX500 gives
pilots access to Avidyne's exclusive MultiLink™ technology,
integrating Avidyne's two-way datalink for route-specific weather
data with XM's high-speed broadcast of textual and graphical
weather information from across the United States. XM WX features
high resolution broadcast NEXRAD radar images, graphical and plain
English METARs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and TFRs. The service also
provides continental United States lightning data from the National
Lightning Detection Network®. While weather information
provided via two-way or broadcast data feeds may be used
separately, the combination gives pilots comprehensive and
continuously updated information on weather conditions and flight
restrictions.
CMax provides instant
access to Jeppesen's JeppView® electronic airport diagrams and
instrument departure, arrival and approach charts. The EX500
automatically displays aircraft position overlaid on the airport
diagram for positional awareness while taxiing. In flight, CMax
shows the aircraft position and flight plan on the selected
approach chart. It enables the pilot to view the entire chart, zoom
in, review the plan or profile views, or read the Jeppesen Briefing
Strip™ and approach minima information. The CMax system
simplifies and speeds access to needed charts while maintaining an
organized cockpit environment during high-workload phases of
flight.
Jeppesen provides subscribers with periodic CD-ROM updates.
Subscribers can use their personal computer to display and print
charts while on the ground. Updates are transferred to the EX500
through the FlightMax dataloader.
"The EX500 with XM Weather, MultiLink™ and CMax is the
most compelling combination of capability and affordability
available in the market today," said Mark Sandeen, vice president
of sales and marketing. "The EX500 gives pilots powerful tools for
situational awareness, for weather decision-making, for avoiding
runway incursions and even for taxiing at an unfamiliar airport or
in reduced visibility."
"The new features of the EX500 are at the core of what Avidyne
is all about, providing simple, intuitive products that deliver
unmatched performance, overall safety and peace of mind," said
Avidyne President Dan Schwinn. "Avidyne continues to lead the
industry in innovation, and we are first again with XM, CMax, and
MultiLink."
All new EX500s include Release 2.0 system software, XM WX and
MultiLink capability. The FlightMax EX500 starts at $8,995. The
FlightMax EX500 with RDR130/150/160 radar interface starts at
$9,995. The FlightMax EX500 with B/K RDR2000/RDR2100 radar
interface starts at $11,995. Existing EX500 units may be upgraded
for Release 2.0 system software, TIS traffic, XM WX and MultiLink
capability for $500. New XM WX and MultiLink capable EX500s and
Release 2.0 upgrade kits are in production and available now. XM WX
and MultiLink require the purchase of XMD-076 XM Datalink Receiver
from Heads Up Technology (www.heads-up.com),
priced at $3,750.
Pricing for the CMax Electronic Approach Chart option on new and
existing EX500s is $2,495 and is in production and available now.
Jeppesen revision service is required at additional cost and
available through Jeppesen (www.jeppesen.com).
XM WX datalink weather service is available from XM (www.xmradio.com/weather)
in two plans. The Aviator plan is priced at $49.95 and includes
NEXRAD, graphical & textual METARs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, TFRs, and
Lightning. The $29.99 Aviator Lite plan includes NEXRAD, graphical
& textual METARs and TFRs. Pricing for Avidyne Narrowcast
Datalink is available from Avidyne on a pay-as-you-go or annual fee
basis.
The Approved Model List of Part 23 Class I, II and III aircraft
covered in the EX500 STC is available from Avidyne. Installation
approval is available through FAA Form 337.