Three-Panel Installs Will Now Feature Classic Games For Long X-C Flights

ANN April 1st Special Edition: Aspen Avionics announced Thursday that it has struck a deal with classic video game maker Atari, as well as Microsoft, to allow video games and flight sims be uploaded into their three-panel EFD1000MFD installations.  The company says allowing pilots to play video games during long cross country flights on autopilot will keep their minds sharp and focused when the cockpit work load drops to near zero.

The EFD1000VG MFD comes pre-loaded with some classic games like Asteroids, Space Invaders, and Galaga ... games pilots are prone to enjoy. "We did a lot of market research, and knowing that many pilots are middle aged guys, we selected some games that we knew they played in arcades as kids," said John Uczekaj, Aspen President and CEO. "The graphics are upgraded from the 80's originals, but still low-res enough that they don't take up a lot of processing power to play," he said.

Pilots who want to actually continue to fly an airplane while they're on autopilot can upgrade the system to include the Microsoft Flight Simulator, allowing them to fly just about anything they want on their existing flight plan, or go somewhere more interesting. "Let's say the system is installed in an LSA," Uczekaj said. "With the EFD1000VG, that pilot can fly an F-16 or a Sopwith Camel to Boise, instead of the airplane he or she is in and possibly bored with. Or, they can fly a Lear to Las Vegas while the autopilot takes their Skycatcher to Sheboygan."

The EFD1000VG is available only in the three panel configuration, allowing for proper redundancy for the safe operation of the aircraft. The option comes with separate video game controllers, so that the pilot does not have to touch the actual flight controls to play the games. "This is going to revolutionize the digital cockpit," said Uczekaj. "Never again will a pilot have to sit through hours of a boring trip with very little to do. And for families ... imagine letting your kids fly a 747 while you're shooting an approach to minimums."

Aspen says it has received thousands of inquiries about the EFD1000VG, and expect to begin shipping the units mid-summer.

FMI: www.aspenavionics.com