A Leader In Avionics Expands Capabilities Of Existing Hardware

By Gene Yarbrough

Aspen Avionics is detailing how FAA approved changes to the backup instrument requirements with the installation of Aspen’s Evolution EFD1000 Pro MAX primary flight display (PFD).

The approval allows aircraft owners to remove the attitude indicator with the supporting vacuum system when installing a single Evolution EFD1000 Pro MAX PFD with the latest released software (v2.11) and the new extended duration battery. A turn and bank indicator along with airspeed and altimeter must be retained as the three required backups. “This is a game-changing development for aircraft owners looking for an affordable, full featured primary flight display while allowing removal of outdated mechanical attitude indicators and vacuum system. We are cleaning up panels while reducing our customer’s maintenance cost and giving them some extra weight savings as well”, said Scott Smith, director of sales.

Current owners of the Aspen Pro MAX PFD can be field upgraded by Aspen authorized dealers to the extended duration battery and latest software. The new software is free of charge from Aspen Avionics. To be eligible for removal of the backup attitude indicator, the EFD1000 Pro MAX PFD with the extended duration battery must be installed with the following instruments:

• Magnetic compass
• Altimeter
• Airspeed indicator
• Electric turn and bank indicator
  • FAA Advisory Circular permits an electric attitude indicator may be a substitute for the turn and bank indicator if it has its own battery source
• Graphical IFR GPS (with moving map)

* Removal of attitude indicator may require an EA100 autopilot adapter if aircraft has an attitude-based autopilot installed, e.g. Bendix/King or Century.

Also, Aspen Avionics announces it has launched the “Evolution Pro MAX 101” online learning course. The course, free to all is a module-based system that offers an easy to navigate user interface and is available on the Aspen Avionics website home page. The course goes through basic functionality to help people learn how to use the system to streamline their flight operations, then follows an intuitive module-based learning protocol comprised of pre-flight, inflight, approach and shutdown learning segments. Users can revisit any module at any time as a refresher to further familiarize themselves of the Aspen MAX system features and functions. “Produced by pilots for pilots."

Many current Aspen MAX, Aspen legacy display customers and those considering a new Aspen MAX system will benefit from the intuitive nature of the Aspen Avionics Pro MAX 101 learning system. I believe it will help aircraft owners to make an informed decision on the features offered and help them to decide the best solution for them. Our goal is to reduce the learning curve and take the stress out of making a very important decision associated with learning a new avionics system,” said Perri Coyne, director of marketing operations.

FMI: www.aspenavionics.com