Satellite Datalink Weather Systems Head To Dealers

Integrated flight deck and avionics manufacturer Avidyne Corporation announced Monday it has shipped the first production versions of the new MLX770 two-way datalink transceiver, which received FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval earlier this month. 

"Our recent TSO approval for the MLX770 set in motion our ability to begin shipping units to our partner-dealers around the world who were already provisioning aircraft and will in turn help us drive the necessary Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approvals," said Avidyne Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Herguth. "We've shipped our first units on time, and we continue to perform on schedule to have EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) STC approvals for composite, metal, and pressurized aircraft."

"There's a huge installed base of Avidyne Entegra-equipped Cirrus aircraft here in Europe and we are delighted to be able to offer this as an upgrade for all of our Cirrus customers," said Alec Vincent of RGV Aviation in Gloucestershire, UK. "We are working closely with Avidyne on the certification efforts and already have a large number of aircraft booked for installation."

The MLX770 is intended to bring affordable and comprehensive worldwide datalink weather services to the general aviation market.  Avidyne is targeting its large installed base of Avidyne-equipped aircraft already flying worldwide, including hundreds of EX500-equipped aircraft and the more than 750 Entegra-equipped Cirrus SR20s and SR22s and Piper PA-46 aircraft based in Europe. 

Approved to TSO C159 for "Avionics Supporting Next Generation Satellite Systems (NGSS)," the MLX770 Datalink Transceiver opens up a new worldwide market for datalink weather display systems and services for general aviation aircraft. 

FMI: www.avidyne.com/