Interactive Software Allows Owners or Prospective Buyers to Explore All Features Including XM WX, Lightning, Traffic, Terrain, Radar and CMax™ Approach Charts

Avidyne has announced new, free, PC-based training software for its FlightMax® EX5000 and EX500 multi-function displays (MFDs). Pilots or prospective buyers can use the software to quickly learn either or both systems by interacting with features and options including moving map, MultiLink™ weather including XM WX, lightning, traffic, terrain, weather radar and CMax™ Jeppesen JeppView® approach charts. The free software is available for download from the Avidyne website (www.avidyne.com/products/demo.shtm) or for ordering on CD.

The EX5000 and EX500 trainers emulate the MFDs' operation on the PC desktop, allowing the user to define and "fly" routes and view simulated XM weather data including NEXRAD, graphical and textual METARs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, TFRs and datalinked Lightning. The customizable software simulates all on-board sensors which could be connected to the MFDs, including weather radar, traffic (TAS/TCAS), lightning (WX-500 Stormscope®), and terrain (EGPWS/TAWS). The included navigation simulator allows the user to create custom flight plans and provides 'GPS input' to the MFD. Users can select which regional JeppView® coverage they want to download for the simulator or choose full continental U.S. coverage.

"With the free training simulator, EX5000 and EX500 users will master the systems in a very short time," said Mark Sandeen, Avidyne's vice president of sales and marketing. "The two MFDs are very intuitive and easy to use in actual operation, while the training software enables owners to explore all of the features from the comfort of their home or office PC. Pilots also can try different options before they buy. It's a great learning tool."

The FlightMax EX5000/EX500 Interactive Training Software and installation guide are available immediately. The download is free. The training software is also available on CD via U.S. Mail and can also be ordered via the Avidyne website for $5.95 to cover shipping and handling ($10.95 for International mailings). Pilots may also stop by the Avidyne booth at upcoming trade shows and pick one up.

This FlightMax EX500 and EX5000 Interactive Training Software is approved to run on PCs with the Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating system. Minimum computing requirements are a Pentium III processor with 256MB RAM. For best results, monitor resolution should be set for 1280 x 1024 for the EX5000 and at least 1024 x 768 for the EX500 version. At least 250MB of free disk space is required to accommodate CMax approach chart coverage.

FMI: www.avidyne.com