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.