Aspen Scores Another Pivotal FAA Certification

Aspen Avionics just put a call into ANN HQ to do some well-deserved bragging. It seems that on September 18, 2009 the FAA granted Technical Standard Order (TSO) Authorization for the EFD500 Multi-Function Display (MFD); the EFD1000 MFD; and the EWR50 Evolution Weather Receiver. With certification and production authority in hand, Aspen will begin shipping its newest products to dealers immediately.

“The certification of our MFDs and the EWR50 Weather Receiver is yet another promise fulfilled by Aspen – to our 2,000-plus customer base, to our employees, to our investors, and to the industry – that we will continue to provide innovative and affordable avionics solutions to the general aviation community,” said Aspen Avionics President and CEO, John Uczekaj.

“The Evolution PFD is the base component of the Evolution Flight Display System. Now Aspen customers have the ability to enhance situational awareness and increase safety even more by adding the Evolution MFDs and EHA capabilities to their cockpits.”

The Aspen Evolution Flight Display System is an affordable, expandable and upgradable PFD, MFD and hazard sensor cockpit solution for general aviation aircraft. The highly flexible Evolution Flight Display System lets aircraft owners install all three Evolution Flight Displays and options at once, or separately, as their needs and budgets permit.

Aspen’s new MFDs are built on the same certified hardware and software platform as the award-winning Evolution EFD1000 PFD, and feature photo-quality moving maps, terrain awareness, and (with optional or existing sensors) traffic displays, Stormscope® WX-500, and a suite of the XM WX® aviation weather products.

The EFD500 MFD, combined with an Aspen PFD, delivers a full-featured glass panel at the lowest price on the market. It’s a perfect choice for aircraft owners looking for a cost-effective entry into a glass panel solution. The EFD1000 MFD with DuoSafeTM PFD redundancy is an excellent option for owners looking for increased safety and who also want to remove legacy backup instruments. Aspen customers can likewise choose to install all three Evolution Flight Displays to completely fill their six-pack panel with even more retrofit glass.

Aspen’s EWR50 Evolution Weather Receiver provides XM WX Satellite Weather aviation products featuring graphical in-flight weather data, and presents integrated weather hazard data on Evolution PFDs and MFDs. Available separately or bundled with an Evolution Flight Display, the EWR50 is the lowest cost, certified weather receiver available.

“I can now say with confidence that Aspen Avionics provides aircraft owners the most cost-effective glass cockpit solution on the market today,” said Aspen Avionics Vice President of Sales and Customer Support, Mark Ferrari. “Pent up demand for our MFD and Weather Receiver products is strong, and we are providing an aggressive sales promotion, the Custom Glass Rebate, to make our already affordable products even more attractive to aircraft owners.”

The EFD500 MFD has a list price of $4,995, and the EFD1000 MFD has a list price of $7,995. The EWR50 Weather Receiver is listed at $2,495. All Aspen units are available only through Aspen Avionics Authorized Dealers. This latest certification is the third TSO Authorization that Aspen Avionics has received.

The company’s innovative AT300 Hazard Awareness Display received certification in November 2005, while the Evolution Pilot and Pro Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) were granted certification in March 2008.

FMI: www.aspenavionics.com, www.aspenavionics.com/index.php/where-to-buy, www.aspenavionics.com/custom-rebate-09