Highly-Desireable Flight Deck Set for Summer Delivery

When we let you in on the specifics of the Avidyne FlightMax Entegra flight deck during Oshkosh, we knew you'd want to know more, and it took a while to pin down delivery times, and even prices. Now that this really-cool major option is all set, we thought that Diamond buyers would want to line up, so here goes:

Diamond Aircraft Industries has announced pricing and availability for their new Avidyne DA40-180 DiamondStar featuring Avidyne’s FlightMax Entegra integrated flight deck. The DiamondStar with FlightMax Entegra, available in mid-2003, provides the most affordable integrated glass flight deck-equipped aircraft available.

The integrated FlightMax Entegra avionics system processes all the information a DA40 DiamondStar pilot needs -- attitude, heading, altitude, airspeed, engine data, navigation maps, datalink weather, traffic, terrain and obstacle surveillance. The FlightMax Entegra system for the DiamondStar consists of two 10.4-inch diagonal, high-resolution, sunlight-readable displays; a FlightMax Entegra primary flight display (PFD) with an integrated solid-state air data and attitude/heading reference system (ADAHRS), and the EX5000 multi-function display (MFD). The Entegra PFD presents standard flight instrumentation including attitude direction indicator (EADI), horizontal situation indicator (EHSI), altitude, airspeed, and vertical speed. The EX5000 presents unique situational awareness capability including moving map, optional datalink weather, lightning, terrain, and traffic on an integrated display, as well as detailed engine information. The Avidyne DA40 DiamondStar will also be the launch aircraft for FlightMax Entegra’s new primary engine instrument (EMax) capability. The new primary engine instrument version of EMax integrates with FlightMax Entegra’s high-performance architecture to provide easy access to display formats designed for each phase of flight.

During last month's AOPA Parade of Planes in Palm Springs (CA), ANN Editor-in-Chief Jim Campbell rode in the Entegra-equipped Diamond DA40, and when he called the office for a briefing, he said he liked what he saw: "Even in the desert sun, that panel was easy to read," he remarked. Of course, the fact that it also displays so much information, in an easy-to-grasp format, was another big plus.

"The Avidyne DA40 provides an affordable advanced-cockpit solution for the owner-flown and the pilot training market," said John Gauch, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Diamond Aircraft. "It was only a matter of time until integrated 'glass cockpits' would make it from jets into GA piston-powered aircraft; and that time has finally come."

"We were very impressed with Avidyne’s flexibility in meeting our requirements. We requested the addition of primary conventional powerplant instrumentation. Avidyne met that challenge and very quickly made it into reality," said Peter Maurer, President of Diamond Aircraft Industries.

"We are pleased to see Diamond embracing the next generation of flight instrumentation with their selection of FlightMax Entegra," said Mark Sandeen, Director of Sales and Marketing. "This an important step in the general aviation market’s transition to integrated flight decks, and the DA40 is an ideal aircraft to bring this technology to the next generation of pilots."

The Diamond DA40 DiamondStar is an IFR-certified, four-seat, all-electric piston aircraft, which cruises at 145 knots on 9.5 gph.

Diamond and Avidyne will be pursuing FAA Supplemental Type Certification of the installation by early 2003. Avidyne and Diamond will also cooperate on achieving European certification and integration into other Diamond Aircraft.

Pricing and Availability

Here's the newest information: the Diamond DA40 aircraft with Avidyne’s FlightMax Entegra at $247,000 (and the autopilot-equipped version at $263,000) provide the most affordable integrated glass flight deck-equipped aircraft available. Orders are currently being taken for the Avidyne DA40-180 DiamondStar with delivery in mid-2003.

FMI: www.avidyne.com, www.diamondair.com