Avidyne's AML Expanded To Include The Columbia/Cessna 350 And 400

Avidyne has received STC approval from the FAA for the installation of their TWX670 Tactical Lightning Detection System in the Cessna 400 (neé Columbia 400). This approval follows the recent STC approval in January of the TWX670 for installation in the Cessna 350 (Columbia 350).

"The TWX670 is the first highly-accurate and reliable spherics system available for certain composite airframes including the Cessna/Columbia 350 and 400," said Rob Higby, Avidyne's vice president of Marketing, Sales and Service. "Advanced digital signal processing and greater noise immunity allow the TWX670 to more accurately detect and display weather based on lightning and electrical activity, and it provides a perfect complement to our MLB700 or MLX770 Datalink Weather systems for tactical and strategic weather along your route of flight."

"Avidyne continues to expand our market leadership in providing displays and safety sensors that make flying simpler and safer," said Patrick Herguth, Chief Operating Officer. "The approval of the TWX670 increases the number of aircraft owners who can take advantage of our world-class Entegra Wx Series safety sensors."

The TWX670 is available now and has a list price of $7,995. Through its dealer network, Avidyne is currently taking orders and accepting deposits for TWX670 systems to be installed in C350 and C400 aircraft. In addition, Avidyne is currently offering a $1,000 discount on the TWX670 to all of its existing Avidyne Entegra/EX500/EX5000 owners.

Entegra-equipped aircraft can display the TWX670's color lightning on the EX5000 MFD and have full support for all modes including display of close-range strikes, TWxCell™ and Color Strike mode. This requires that the MFD be upgraded to software Release 8. Release 8 is available for Release 7-equipped MFDs for $495. Release 8 is available for MFDs that are Release 6 or older for $1,095. Avidyne is currently running a promotion through March 2009 that provides Release 8 upgrade free of charge with the purchase of the TWX670.

For non-Entegra aircraft, the TWX670 is fully compatible with Avidyne's MHD300 3-ATI Multi-Hazard Display, which also supports all color modes. In addition, the TWX670's 'Compatibility Mode' provides monochrome strike display capability on third-party displays such as GNS430s and G1000.

FMI: www.avidyne.com