As we noted in some of our end-of-year coverage, 2008 was a
pretty miserable year for a number of companies eking out their
existence in the world of aviation. It was, however, a great year
-- maybe even an astounding year, for Aspen Avionics… and
it's no wonder. 2008 is the year that Aspen turned the retrofit
avionics business on its ear with a glass panel retrofit that was
everything an upgrading flyer could ask for… easy to
install, simple to use, highly capable, affordable and cooler than
the observation deck on the Titanic.
Announced at Oshkosh 2007, Aspen bills its Evolution Flight
Display system is an affordable glass cockpit solution for general
aviation aircraft. With prices starting under $6,000, the modular
and upgradeable Evolution system breaks the price barrier and makes
the safety benefits of the most advanced glass cockpit technologies
finally accessible to the vast majority of the GA aircraft
fleet.
By the end of the first quarter of 2008, Aspen's newly issued
AML-STC enabled Aspen Avionics to start shipping, and its dealers
to start installing, Evolution Flight Display systems... on track
with the schedule Aspen promised to its customers.
Certification of the Evolution Flight Display was the second TSO
Aspen Avionics has received. The company's innovative AT300 Hazard
Awareness Display received certification in November 2005. The
certification process for the EFD1000 PFD took approximately 18
months to complete.
While the initial TSO allowed the Aspen PFD to be installed in
over 400 types of aircraft, Aspen added several more Class II
airplanes, including some heavier twins, to its FAA Approved Model
List Supplemental Type Certificate (AML-STC) for the EFD1000
Primary Flight Displays (PFDs). These latest additions include the
Beechcraft Baron 58-series, and a subset of the Aerostar 600-and
Twin Commander 500-series twin-engine airplanes. Over 650 models
can now be equipped with the Aspen EFD1000.
With certification of its Evolution EFD1000 PFD complete, Aspen
looks forward to showing off their upcoming line of Evolution
multi-function displays. Built upon the same certified hardwire
platform as the PFDs, Aspen's MFD line adds additional situational
awareness tools... while also providing a fully redundant backup to
the PFD. The EFD1000 MFD and PFD combine high-resolution,
sectional-style moving maps with dedicated and overlaid hazard
awareness displays -- including weather, traffic and terrain
advisories and warnings. The EFD1000 MFD also adds a second,
independent air data, attitude and heading reference (ADAHRS)
system for full redundancy.
Even better, the next variant of the EFD1000 PFD, the ATP, is
due in the second half of 2009. The ATP will add many MFD features,
including sectional-style moving maps and integrated hazard
awareness interfaces, to the PFD navigation display.
Aspen is also pursuing approval to install the Evolution PFD
into heavier Class III airplanes (those between 6,000 and 12,500
lbs.) by the end of the third quarter of 2009.
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