Designed For Piston-Powered Aircraft, Replaces Traditional “Six Pack”

Honeywell announced Sunday that it is undergoing final flight tests and accepting orders for its Bendix/King by Honeywell KFD 840 Primary Flight Display (PFD) for piston-powered aircraft, part of the Apex Edge series.

Priced at $16,995, the KFD 840 is a single display that incorporates data typically found on six different traditional instruments. Compatible with all major navigation, communication and flight control systems, the KFD 840 is designed to enhance pilot situational awareness through its high-resolution 8.4-inch display, integrating easy-to-read vertical tapes with rolling digits for altitude and airspeed and an edge-to-edge artificial horizon.

“The KFD 840 increases safety by providing all the critical flight instruments using an embedded MEMS-based Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS), offering a stable, easy-to-interpret display of aircraft attitude, airspeed, heading and altitude that is independent of the aircraft vacuum pump. Unlike its competitors, the KFD 840 does not depend on GPS or air data aiding to meet certification requirements for display of attitude,” said Chad Cundiff, Vice President, Crew Interface Systems Marketing & Product Management. “The KFD 840 provides the widest horizon for general aviation piston aircraft at a price that is less than a year’s operating costs, enabling pilots to maintain a higher level of situational awareness, making flying safer and easier.”

Easily installed and self-sufficient in a box weighing less than eight pounds, the primary flight display is designed to be operated with few button pushes, and fits into the aircraft panels of most piston aircraft. With separate Course and Heading knobs, as well as an altitude reference selector with alerting capability, pilots can quickly dial in Air Traffic Control instructions.

Pilots can update a checklist for use during any phase of flight, which reduces pilot workload. Checklists and databases are easily updated via a memory card. A weight and balance function will be available via free update in the near future, increasing the ease of following safety procedures before every flight.

“The KFD 840 is a platform for the future, and the unit will be upgradable with features such as synthetic vision,” added Cundiff. “King Radio brought affordable radios to general aviation fifty years ago and we are continuing that tradition of delivering innovative avionics to pilots.” Bendix/King by Honeywell authorized service centers are now accepting orders for the KFD 840. First deliveries are planned for September.

FMI: www.honeywell.com