Thu, Feb 27, 2014
Robinson Helicopter Operators Now Have Affordable, Feature-Rich Glass Cockpit Options
Aspen Avionics' EFD1000H Primary Flight Display (PFD) system is now available as a factory option on the Robinson R22, R44 Raven I, R44 Raven II, and R66 helicopters. The EFD500H Multi-function Display (MFD) system will be available as a factory option on the R44 Raven I, R44 Raven II, and R66.

The EFD1000H PFD is a compact, lightweight, solid-state electronic flight instrument system which provides a modern alternative to mechanical attitude indicators, directional gyros and horizontal situation indicators. The EFD500H MFD provides additional capabilities which include easy-to-use electronic moving maps.
To accommodate the new glass-style avionics, Robinson replaced its 7-, 9-, and 10-hole instrument panels with 6-and 8-hole instrument panels. The 6-hole panel is standard on the R22 and R44 Raven I while the 8-hole panel is standard on the R44 Raven II and R66. The 8-hole panel is also an option on the R44 Raven I. Both panels allow for glass avionics or traditional instrument configurations.
“The helicopter market is realizing the safety-enhancing benefits of Aspen’s glass panel technology,” says John Uczekaj, Aspen’s president and chief executive officer. “The Robinson platform is a great helicopter to showcase our reliable and versatile EFD1000H PFD, and EFD500 MFD systems.”
EFD1000H PFD features:
- Airspeed, attitude, altitude, turn rate, slip/skid, magnetic direction and vertical speed
- Available with either slaved directional gyro (DG) or horizontal situation indicator (HSI) functionality
- DG and HSI pilot configurable for either 360 degree or 100 degree arc views
- Map of GPS flight plan may be under laid behind DG or HSI
- HSI version provides full interface with navigation receivers
- Pitch sync
- Solid-state air data computer and attitude reference system
- Built-in 30 minute backup battery
- Built-in emergency GPS sensor
EFD500H MFD features:
- Pilot-configurable VFR/IFR moving map
- Relative terrain map
- Geo-referenced instrument approach plates and airport diagrams
(Image provided by Aspen Avionics)
More News
Pilot Also Reported That Due To A Fuel Leak, The Auxiliary Fuel Tanks Were Not Used On June 4, 2025, at 13:41 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23, N2109P, was substantially damage>[...]
Have A Story That NEEDS To Be Featured On Aero-News? Here’s How To Submit A Story To Our Team Some of the greatest new stories ANN has ever covered have been submitted by our>[...]
From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Reflections on War’s Collective Lessons and Cyclical Nature The exigencies of war ought be colorblind. Inane social-constructs the likes of racis>[...]
Aero Linx: Colorado Pilots Association (CPA) Colorado Pilots Association was incorporated as a Colorado Nonprofit Corporation in 1972. It is a statewide organization with over 700 >[...]
High Speed Taxiway A long radius taxiway designed and provided with lighting or marking to define the path of aircraft, traveling at high speed (up to 60 knots), from the runway ce>[...]