Avidyne TAS600 Series to be Factory Option on DA20, DA40 and DA42 Aircraft

Diamond Aircraft has selected the Avidyne TAS600 series of active-surveillance traffic advisory systems as factory options for Diamond's DA20, DA40 and DA42 aircraft. Diamond's selection of Avidyne expands the traffic advisory capabilities of Diamond's aircraft lineup and highlights Avidyne's expanding presence as a full-line avionics supplier.

The TAS600 series uses high-performance technology typically associated with traffic alert & collision avoidance system (TCAS) systems. Heads-up Audible Position Alerting™ keeps the pilot's attention focused outside the cockpit, scanning for oncoming traffic, by verbally calling out target bearing, range and relative altitude. This automated voice alert uses the same alert terminology as Air Traffic Control: "Traffic! 12 O'clock! High! Two Miles!" Patented small-footprint, top-and-bottom antennas provide improved target acquisition and tracking compared to single-antenna systems. Ryan Active Surveillance™ technology detects target transponders when in range no matter where the aircraft is operating. The TAS600 series standard TCAS symbology to display traffic information on all Diamond factory-installed multi-function displays including the Honeywell KLN 94 moving-map GPS, the Garmin GNS430 and GNS530, and the Garmin G1000.

Diamond aircraft feature composite construction, ergonomic design, and low operating costs. The four-seat DA40 has the best fuel consumption in its class and is ideal for fleet operators as well as individual aircraft owners. The recently certified DA42 twin-engine aircraft is the first diesel-powered twin-engine piston aircraft to be certified in the United States. The FADEC controlled engines provide twin-engine performance and redundancy at single-engine acquisition and fuel consumption costs.

"Avidyne's TAS600 series brings an impressive new level of safety to our DA20, DA40 and DA42 aircraft," said Diamond President Peter Maurer. "And with its unique combination of performance and value, the TAS600 product family makes our aircraft even more enjoyable to own and fly."

"With the TAS600 series, Diamond Aircraft Industries' customers are gaining an important safety system and Avidyne and Diamond are continuing to advance toward our common goal of providing safe, innovative and high-performance products," said Mark Sandeen, vice president of sales and marketing at Avidyne.

"The market response to the TAS600 series has been tremendously strong and Diamond's selection of Avidyne validates our strategy of offering a full line of avionics for GA," said Dan Schwinn, president of Avidyne Corporation. "We'll continue to expand our product lines and broaden our presence in across GA market segments."

FMI: www.avidyne.com