Brings WSI InFlight Weather, Sirius To Avidyne EX500, EX5000
MFDs
At a Tuesday gathering at AirVenture 2007, Avidyne Corporation
unveiled its new MLB700 Broadcast Datalink Receiver for WSI
InFlight weather service and Sirius Satellite Radio programming,
expanding the range of weather and digital audio programming
options available for Avidyne EX500 and EX5000 multifunction
displays (MFDs).
The MLB700 is the latest in a growing line of sensor products
from Avidyne’s Safety Systems Group in Columbus, OH, and
joins the new TWX670 Tactical Weather Detection system, introduced
separately, and the popular dual-antenna TAS600 series traffic
awareness systems. It also expands the range of datalink weather
and audio services available with Avidyne’s industry-leading
MFDs, which Avidyne notes were the first in light GA to deliver
datalink-radar overlay capability for strategic and tactical
weather decisions.
"The MLB700 gives Avidyne MFD owners fantastic safety
enhancements, comfort and value," said Avidyne Director of
Aftermarket Sales Jamie Luster. "WSI InFlight weather products,
including the award-winning NOWrad radar mosaic, are well-known and
highly respected by pilots worldwide, and Sirius Satellite
Radio’s programming is enjoyed by millions of subscribers
across the country."
The MLB700 system
receives WSI InFlight weather data products for informed cockpit
weather decisions and improved situational awareness. The data
include WSI’s awardwinning NOWrad radar mosaic showing cell
height, movement and forecast movement, and datalink lighting from
the long-range United States Precision Lightning Network
(USPLN).
The system also can show winds and temperatures aloft, TAFs,
graphical and textual METARS, AIRMETS and SIGMETS, For pilot and
passenger comfort and enjoyment, the MLB700 optionally delivers 130
channels of Sirius sports, news, talk, and music programming for
enjoyment over an aircraft audio system.
Avidyne's RC70 remote control lets the passengers or crew browse
and select the audio channel to be played over the aircraft audio
system using the built-in display.
The MLB700 is designed for easy installation and access and
includes a USB port to enable new features and future enhancements
through software upgrades. The Avidyne EX5000 (10.4 inch diagonal)
and EX500 (5.5-inch diagonal) MFDs feature high-resolution moving
map displays that can show flight plan information and graphical
weather data.
"Avidyne MFDs are among the most popular and capable situational
awareness displays in general aviation today and a great match for
our industry-leading WSI InFlight weather products," said Jim
Menard, General Manager of WSI’s Aviation Business Group.
"The combined knowledge and technical innovation of our two
companies is giving pilots invaluable information for making
cockpit weather decisions for safe and enjoyable flying."
The MLB700 with data and digital
audio capability is $5,495, and includes the RC70 wireless remote
control. The RC70 allows control of the audio programming from
anywhere in the aircraft, and includes an LCD display of the
category/channel name, channel number, artist name, song title or
program information, plus presets, signal and battery strength. A
data-only version of the MLB700 is also available with prices
starting at $4,745. Customers can save an additional $500 on the
MLB700 when it is purchased in combination with an EX500 or as part
of an MHAS6000 package. Customers who purchase an Avidyne weather
subscription by December 31, 2007 may also qualify for a one-year
subscription to WSI’s Pilot Briefing Online service at no
additional cost.