Certification Nearing Completion For Multiple Aircraft

Avidyne announced Tuesday they are nearing certification of the interface between their DFC90 Digital Autopilot and the Evolution Pro Primary Flight Display (PFD) from Aspen Avionics of Albuquerque. The first certifications of the DFC90 interfaced with the Aspen PFD will be in Avidyne’s Cessna 182 (pictured) and in Aspen’s Cirrus SR22.

The DFC90—which adds significant performance and safety benefits including full-time Envelope Protection & Alerting and Straight & Level—is currently certified in Cirrus and Piper PA-46 aircraft equipped with Avidyne’s Entegra displays. Aspen holds an Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate (AML-STC) for their Evolution Pro PFD on a wide range of aircraft, which they are amending to add the new DFC90-compatible v2.6 software. Avidyne and Aspen also confirmed plans to seek certification for DFC90/Aspen PFD configurations in many other models, including a Beech Bonanza certification program in Q2 2012.

“Aspen’s wide-reaching AML makes it an attractive retrofit for a large number of aircraft, and the Evolution PFD and DFC90 are an excellent combination,” said Patrick Herguth, Avidyne’s Chief Operating Officer. “We have heard from many different aircraft owners who are looking to upgrade to an all-digital autopilot and display solution, and this DFC90/Aspen certification is a big step forward in making that happen. Pilots will now have the ability to add significant safety features, that previously were only found in new aircraft, to their existing planes,” said Herguth.

“A key feature of the Aspen Evolution system is its compatibility with other cockpit systems and our co-development effort with Avidyne on the DFC90 is a great example of how the Aspen system can be leveraged to create an easy to use, fully integrated cockpit,” says Aspen President and CEO John Uczekaj. He adds, “The level of safety and precision flight control that this integration provides will make flying so much easier and safer, especially for single pilot IFR operators.”

Avidyne and Aspen are continuing to gauge customer interest in future programs and additional airframes. Approval of Aspen PFD v2.6 software and certification of the DFC90 in the Cessna 182 is expected to be completed within the next 90 days.

Pricing for the DFC90 autopilot starts at $9,995 plus installation for single-engine piston aircraft, and $14,995 for twin and turbine aircraft. Aspen Evolution Pro PFDs are priced starting at $10,180 plus installation. The software unlock for integrating the DFC90 is priced at $1,995, labor not included.

FMI: www.aspenavionics.com, www.avidyne.com