TSO on Remarkable PFD

Avidyne today [Monday] announced they have received FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval of their FlightMax Entegra primary flight display (PFD), making FlightMax Entegra the first certified all-glass flight deck in general aviation history.

Avidyne was awarded eight TSOs for the Entegra PFD, which includes an integrated solid-state air data and attitude/heading reference system (ADAHRS). Avidyne's state-of-the-art ADAHRS uses a 3-axis solid-state inertial reference and accelerometer system combined with a flux gate compass to replace the traditional vertical and directional gyros. The compact, lightweight, ADAHRS provides roll, pitch, and heading data with reliability far exceeding mechanical gyros, and accuracy surpassing ADAHRS systems found in corporate aircraft.

Everything you need; nothing you don't.

The FlightMax Entegra PFD provides standard flight instrumentation including attitude direction indicator (ADI), horizontal situation indicator (HSI), altitude, airspeed, vertical speed, heading, rate of turn, winds aloft, and a moving map on a large 10.4-inch diagonal, high-resolution, sunlight-readable display. Complementing the PFD is the previously certified FlightMax EX5000 multi-function display (MFD), which together comprise the FlightMax Entegra Integrated Flight Deck system.  FlightMax Entegra is being offered across a wide range of aircraft from light piston trainer aircraft to twin turbofan personal jets.

New Paradigm in Light Aircraft

"Now there are now two classes of general aviation aircraft, those with glass flight decks and those without," said Mark Sandeen, vice president of sales and marketing. "Several progressive aircraft manufacturers, Cirrus' SR22 being the first, have already embraced FlightMax Entegra and the increased safety, reliability, and situational awareness benefits it brings."

"This is major milestone in the history of general aviation," said Avidyne president Dan Schwinn. "Avidyne was founded to bring integrated flight deck technology to GA aircraft, and FlightMax Entegra makes that goal a reality. Five years from now, this will be seen as the transition point for GA aircraft to the all-glass flight deck."

Trend indication enhances safety:

The FlightMax Entegra PFD displays 6-second trend indicators for airspeed, altitude and heading.  Trend indicators, which are typically found only on air transport and high-end corporate jets, allow you to fly more precisely with reduced workload when changing or maintaining an airspeed or altitude. Entegra's integrated air data computer provides airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, and outside air temperature (OAT), and continually updates the winds aloft and true airspeed (TAS) indications on the PFD. Designed to couple with the autopilot for altitude preselect, vertical speed select and heading select modes, FlightMax Entegra does not require external control panels. Selection bugs and digital readouts for each of these parameters are provided for clear and concise one-button operation. In addition FlightMax Entegra utilizes an integrated ByteFlight databus for high-speed data transfer.

The electronic horizontal situation indicator (EHSI) provides synchronized switching as you transition from the en route phase to the approach phase of your flight. The EHSI can be viewed in standard 360-degree compass rose, or in a 120-degree Arc mode, with selectable RMI pointer and flight-plan moving map display. 

Avidyne earned eight TSOs on the Entegra PFD including C2d-Airspeed Instruments, C3d-Turn & Slip Instruments, C4c-Pitch & Bank Instruments, C6d-Magnetic Direction Instruments, C8d-Vertical Velocity Instruments, C10b-Altimeter pressure actuated, C106-Air Data Computer, and C113-Airborne Multipurpose Electronic Display.

Pricing and Availability

FlightMax Entegra includes a primary flight display with integrated ADAHRS and a FlightMax EX5000 multifunction display for under $60,000. Or, you could just buy a new Cirrus. [We've heard that, as Cirrus customers are introduced to this option, nearly every single one opted for this modern functionality. It's not likely to be an "option" for long --ed.]

FMI: www.avidyne.com