Tue, Jan 10, 2012
Optional Upgrades Improve Envelope Protection And Alerting
The FAA has granted a pair of STCs to Avidyne for software
upgrades to their DFC90 and DFC100 autopilots.

For the DFC90, the Release 2 software works in conjunction with
R8.0.5 software for the Entegra EXP5000 (R8.0.5) PFD. This
upgrade adds full-time Envelope Alerting (EA) and also gives DFC90
owners the option of wiring the aircraft for dynamic Envelope
Protection (EP) with Flap Sensing.
With this upgrade, the DFC90 will have full-time EA, which
protects against flight envelope exceedences by providing aural
warnings to the pilot, even when the autopilot is not engaged. This
feature is especially beneficial in protecting against traffic
pattern stall scenarios. This upgrade also adds an option for
“Dynamic Envelope Protection” which allows the DFC90 to
use knowledge of flap position to dynamically compute true stall
speed and provide even better underspeed protection & alerting.
Enabling the “Dynamic Envelope Protection” option will
require additional wiring on the airplane for flap position
sensing. The “Dynamic Envelope Protection”
feature is optional, but is recommended by Avidyne.
Avidyne’s price for this upgrade is $500, which includes the
factory update of the DFC90 flight computer and field-loadable
software to update your EXP5000 PFD. This price includes the cost
of shipping the software update kit This price does not include the
cost of shipping the DFC90 unit to/from Avidyne, nor does it
include the cost for additional parts or dealer labor for
performing the software upgrade or for any additional wiring should
you choose to add it. Please contact your dealer for a quote.
Dealers will need to return the DFC90 unit to the Avidyne
factory in Melbourne, FL for upgrade. Once received, Avidyne
will upgrade the unit within one business day and return it via the
shipping method specified. The upgrade also includes field-loadable
software for your Entegra PFD to bring it to R8.0.5 software
level. Your dealer will need to have the appropriate PFD Data
Cable for the EXP5000 in order to perform this update.
Enabling the optional “Dynamic Envelope Protection”
feature will require additional wiring on the airplane in order to
add the connections for flap position sensing.
The upgrade for the DFC100 is available free of charge, but does
require a factory update of the DFC100 flight computer, plus a
field-loadable software update to both R9 IFDs via USB. The Release
2 software is for the DFC100 autopilot and for R9.2.4 software for
the Entegra Release 9 (R9) IFD5000s. This is an optional upgrade
that is now available for R9/DFC100 owners, but it is recommended
by Avidyne, as it provides performance and operational improvements
to the system.
This R9/DFC100 performance upgrade includes the following
changes:
- Improves accuracy of aural alert for under-speed during
approaches, and minimizes nuisance alerts.
- Adds aural alert if Flaps are being oversped.
- Fixes a blinking issue with the EVS software.
- Improves robustness of Aural Alert data card.
- No longer disconnects the AP in single-AHRS systems during
AHRS-TC miscompares
- Provides desired reversionary capability on ILS or WAAS
approaches.
- Fixes an issue when loading a long flight plan of user
waypoints.
- Fixes an issue related to the map pop-up that can cause a map
timing failure.
There is no charge from Avidyne for the DFC100 & IFD
upgrade. The DFC100 unit must be returned to the Avidyne factory in
Melbourne, FL for upgrade. Avidyne will pay shipping both ways.
Please note that the cost of any dealer labor associated with this
installation/upgrade is not included. Please contact your dealer
for a quote.
More News
According To A Witness, The Airplane Had Just Departed... When It Suddenly Descended And Struck The Ground At The End Of Runway 27 On March 22, 2025, about 0925 eastern daylight ti>[...]
Aero Linx: Alaska Airmen's Association At the Alaska Airmen's Association, we're more than just a community; we're a vibrant, passion-driven movement dedicated to safeguarding, pre>[...]
Taxi The movement of an airplane under its own power on the surface of an airport (14 CFR section 135.100 [Note]). Also, it describes the surface movement of helicopters equipped w>[...]
“I knew from the moment I watched him get shot down that we would have to go get him. I’m elated to be able to be here to see him be recognized and honored. He was the >[...]
Also: 160-hp Carbon Cub UL, Flybox Avionics, Blackshape Aircraft, Scalebirds Update Light sport engine manufacturer HKS recently announced that it will be relocating its parts supp>[...]