PILATUS PC-12: A RETROFIT UPGRADE YOU MUST CONSIDER
By: Jorge Hernandez

Every so often a project comes around that truly takes your breath away.  Most recently, it was the modernization of a 2004 Pilatus PC-12/45 cockpit.

You should know the Pilatus PC-12 is one of my favorite airplanes.  It offers operators the best of both worlds; best-in-class performance and great style.  From the NGX to special mission configurations flying over dangerous regions, I have seen this airplane perform the unimaginable and do it without a care.

With that kind of mission versatility, why shouldn’t the avionics capabilities be on par with the aircraft itself? Why settle for anything less than superior if you are operating a Pilatus PC-12?

When I saw the finished product for the first time, it was love at first sight.  The modernization included a complete Avidyne CNS suite that truly delivers, providing a feature rich upgrade that is not just highly capable and stylish, but also makes the most of the aircraft’s performance capability all in a single package.

First, you must lose the (irrelevant) weight.

When you consider how much the avionics industry has changed over the last two decades you will quickly notice that when it comes to modern day avionics, less is more. Avionic integration is the answer.  Operators prefer highly sanitized panels with an efficient use of space.   Let’s take a look at the Pilatus PC-12/45 project completed by Servicio Aereos Montre S.A. de C.V out of Monterrey, Mexico.

Prior to the upgrade, this aircraft was basically factory standard.  It was equipped with a KMA24H audio panel, KMD540 multi-function display, KLN90B global positioning system, KX165A NAV/COM, GNS XLS flight management system and dual panel mounted GTX330D transponders. For VHF NAV, interact here, for FMS planning interact there, “IDENT 1234”, interact elsewhere. That is six pieces of factory-issued equipment a crew must master to maximize efficiency, not to mention a lot of weight.

Less is definitely more (and more capable).

After project completion, the aircraft’s new and much improved flight deck boasts a dual IFDs (IFD550, IFD540) installation as the FMS/GPS/NAV/COM system, an AMX240 audio panel and dual AXP322 ADS-B Out remote-mount transponders. All situational awareness equipment on the aircraft like the Storm Scope, Radar, and the Traffic Advisory System (TAS) were all integrated into the dual IFD5-Series.

The aircraft flew away not only with big weight savings and a sleeker panel, but with all safety enhancing information accessible on the dual IFDs.  When paired with the Forward Looking Terrain Alerting (FLTA), a feature of the IFD which, by the way, is standard, one could argue that the IFD is serving as more than just an FMS/GPS/NAV/COM. The IFD also provides Multi-Function Display (MFD) functionality which is significantly enhanced when integrated wirelessly with the IFD100 App for IPad®.

The crew now has transponder control, radar control and display with map overlay, Storm Scope display, traffic display, FMS planning, WAAS GPS navigation, VHF communication, VHF navigation, Geo-Referenced Jeppesen Chart Display and terrain alerting all in one system, the IFD 5-Series flight management system. This, in my opinion, makes the Avidyne 5-Series IFD the logical fit for the ever so capable and elegant PC-12/45.

Avidyne Retrofit Upgrade : IFD550, IFD540 and the AMX240 Audio Panel. Dual AXP322 remote transponders not pictured.

Additional possibilities with big benefits.

The Avidyne IFD5-Series was designed as a slide-in replacement for GNS530 GPS navigators.  With some Pilatus PC-12/45 aircraft having old GNS navigators currently installed, this is a simple but necessary upgrade.  The IFD slides into the same tray and interfaces with the same connectors currently used by the GNS530.   To take complete advantage of the all the features the IFD has to offer (not currently available on the now obsolete GNS), the installer will need to add some additional wiring and interfaces.   In some cases, the only action required is replacing the GPS antenna for a WAAS TSO-C190 compliant antenna to allow the new FMS to take advantage of navigation with Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) GPS accuracy and adding features such as Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) GPS Approaches.

The benefits do not end at ease of install, weight reduction, consolidation, and cost savings. With the addition of the IFD Series, Pilatus operators can get the most of their existing avionics and give their flying experience an additional enhancement with wireless integration of the IFD100 Application and full bi-directional Foreflight connectivity. Just imagine having your primary source of navigation and situational awareness on a 12″ iPad screen with 100% interactivity and, best of all, for no additional cost.  It’s true.

I believe the Avidyne avionic suite is going to find its way into more Pilatus PC-12/45 cockpits as it is simply the best fit for this platform.  In my opinion, it resonates with the performance and elegance of the PC-12/45 on all fronts.

Learn more about Avidyne’s avionic retrofit solutions for the Pilatus PC-12.

DOWNLOAD PC-12 PACKAGES

Avidyne IFD100 App can now run at the same time and share data with other iPad apps that support multi-tasking, including ForeFlight and SkyDemon.

Melbourne, Florida  – November 5, 2020–– Avidyne Corporation has announced that their IFD100 iPad App–a companion app that connects wirelessly with their panel-mounted IFD series of FMS/GPS/NAV/COM systems–now supports multi-tasking capability, which enables the IFD100 app to run and share data on the same split screen along with ForeFlight^® or other third-party apps.

ForeFlight/IFD100 Multi-tasking

“The IFD100 app provides another instance of IFD in the cockpit, giving our customers a unique, large-screen display and remote-control of their panel-mounted IFD,” said John Talmadge, Avidyne’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales. “With this latest version, the IFD100 App can now be displayed on a split screen with other Apps that support multitasking, including the industry-leading ForeFlight App,  as well as SkyDemon in Europe, allowing pilots even greater utility and more capabilities.”

A video showing the new IFD100 software running on split screen with ForeFlight is available at: https://youtu.be/U15M4gOjrrY

The new IFD100 App version 10.2.9 is free of charge for IFD owners,  and is available now from the Apple App Store.  The IFD100 connects wirelessly to any of Avidyne’s IFD Series FMS/GPS systems, including the IFD550, IFD540, IFD440, IFD545, IFD510, and IFD410.

About Avidyne Corporation (www.avidyne.com)
Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and product design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of avionics systems including the recently-announced dzus-mounted ATLAS™ and HELIOS™ Multifunction Flight Management Systems, the panel-mounted IFD-Series FMS/ GPS/ NAV/ COMs, AMX240 audio panel, DFC90 digital flight control systems, and a complete range of SkyTrax ADS-B solutions, including the AXP322 and AXP340 Mode S ADS-B Transponders, SkyTrax100B receivers, and SkyTrax600 ADS-B & Active Traffic systems. Headquartered in Melbourne, FL, the company has additional facilities in Westerville, OH, and Concord, MA.

In conjunction with Aviation International News (AIN), Avidyne is sponsoring a live, interactive event on Nov 10 at 1:30pm to discuss FOQA and the benefits it brings to pilots and owner/operators of business aircraft. 

Melbourne, Florida  – November 2, 2020 – Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics systems, flight displays, and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, business jets and helicopters, announced that they are leading the effort to bring the Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) flight safety program to business aviation, and will sponsor and participate in a live, interactive on-line panel discussion on FOQA and how it can be used to improve the safety and performance of business and general aviation aircraft.

The web-based event “Using FOQA Flight Data Intelligence to Improve Pilot Performance and Encourage Flight Safety” will take place on November 10, 2020 at 1:30pm EDT. To register, go to ainonline.com/FOQA.

Moderated by AIN Editor-in-chief Matt Thurber, this FOQA webinar event will feature Avidyne’s general manager of Business Aviation, David Miner, along with retired USAF Colonel and former NASA astronaut/Shuttle commander Charlie Precourt, who currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)  and the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), and also leads the Safety Committee for the CitationJet Pilots Association (CJP).

From this panel discussion, audience members will learn more about FOQA Data Intelligence, and how having the right data can improve pilot performance and flight safety. In addition, the panel will share how flight data can be safely and easily collected, analyzed, and accessed from your smart device, and the pilot/owner benefits of participating in a FOQA Program.

“Based on the success of FOQA programs in commercial and military aviation, we believe that access to affordable FOQA flight data will give business and general aviation pilots the opportunity to evaluate their performance, spot trends, and take corrective action before a serious incident can occur,” said Col. Precourt.

“FOQA Flight Data Intelligence allows pilots to safely capture, analyze and access their flight performance data from their smart phone within minutes, and it doesn’t require special software ,”said David Miner of Avidyne. “It is a real game changer for business and general aviation.”

First introduced in the 1990s, Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA), also known as Flight Data Monitoring (FDM),  is now the standard for flight safety data analysis and training for commercial and military aviation analysis to improve pilot performance and safety .

About Avidyne Corporation (www.avidyne.com)

Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and product design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of avionics systems including the recently-announced dzus-mounted ATLAS™ and HELIOS™ Multifunction Flight Management Systems, the panel-mounted IFD-Series FMS/ GPS/ NAV/ COMs, AMX240 audio panel, DFC90 digital flight control systems, and a complete range of SkyTrax ADS-B solutions, including the AXP322 and AXP340 Mode S ADS-B Transponders, SkyTrax100B receivers, and SkyTrax600 ADS-B & Active Traffic systems. Headquartered in Melbourne, FL, the company has additional facilities in Westerville, OH, and Concord, MA.     

Avidyne retrofit package for the PC-12 provides significant avionics capability enhancements including Synthetic Vision, ADS-B, Hybrid Touch Flight Management Systems, electronic approach charts, and integrated wireless connectivity. 

Melbourne, Florida  – October 5, 2020–– Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics systems, flight displays, and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, business jets and helicopters announced the completion of a full-stack Avidyne avionics upgrade for the Pilatus PC-12 by Servicios Aereos Montre (S.A.M.) of Monterrey, Mexico.  The retrofit installation includes Avidyne IFD550 and IFD540 FMS/GPS/NAV/COMs, plus dual AXP322 Mode S ADS-B OUT Transponders and AMX240 Audio Panel.   

“We are really excited to be working with Servicios Aereo Montre to put together this avionics upgrade package for the PC-12,” said John Talmadge, Avidyne’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales. “Our regional sales and support team has made significant inroads in the Latin American market with our IFD systems, and S.A.M. is a big supporter of Avidyne in the region.”

“The PC-12 is a highly-capable airplane, and this dual-IFD FMS configuration—with integrated approach charts, airports diagrams, and wireless iPad interface—gives their pilots much more capability for completing their fleet missions.” said Juan Blaha, Avidyne’s Regional Manager for Latin America.

About Servicios Aereos Montre (www.aeromontre.com)

Servicios Aereos Montre (S.A.M.) is Mexico’s premier avionics and aviation maintenance company.  Based in Monterrey, SAM is a full-service Aeronautical workshop (No. 488) authorized by the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics

About Avidyne Corporation (www.avidyne.com)

Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and product design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of avionics systems including the recently-announced dzus-mounted ATLAS™ and HELIOS™ Multifunction Flight Management Systems, the panel-mounted IFD-Series FMS/ GPS/ NAV/ COMs, AMX240 audio panel, and DFC90 digital flight control systems. With a complete range of SkyTrax ADS-B solutions, including the AXP322 and AXP340 Mode S ADS-B Transponders, SkyTrax100B receivers, and SkyTrax600 ADS-B & Active Traffic systems, Avidyne provides complete support for the worldwide NextGen ATC surveillance upgrade. Headquartered in Melbourne, FL, the company has additional facilities in Westerville, OH, and Concord, MA.     

SkyDemon is Europe’s popular software app for VFR flight planning and in-flight navigation; IFD owners can now wirelessly connect to SkyDemon, transfer flight plans, and send GPS position updates to the App throughout their flight.

Melbourne, Florida  – September 28, 2020–– Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics systems, flight displays, and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, business jets and helicopters announced that Europe’s popular SkyDemon Flight Planning Software is now compatible with the IFD Series of FMS/GPS/NAV/COMs.

“Integrated wireless connectivity provides a powerful conduit for adding functionality and expanding the capabilities and utility of our IFD products, and SkyDemon is yet another example,” said Avidyne CEO Dan Schwinn. “We have a large installed base of IFD owners across Europe and we are happy to now have SkyDemon available as a wireless solution for them.”

“The IFD Series have become very popular with pilots throughout Europe for their ease of use, and for their support for European Jeppesen Approach Charts and Airport Diagrams, European VFR (Bottlang) Charts, and VFR Reporting Points,” said John Talmadge, Avidyne’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales. “We are pleased that our IFD customers now have the ability to connect to SkyDemon, Europe’s most popular VFR flight planning App for both pre-flight planning and in-flight navigation.”

Avidyne IFD550/IFD540/IFD440 are industry-leading FMS/GPS navigators that provide easy-to-use Hybrid Touch and Page & Tab user interface, Synthetic Vision, as well as integrated WiFi and Bluetooth® connectivity. Current IFD App compatibility includes ForeFlight®, Seattle Avionics FlyQ, FltPlanGo, AvPlan, Cloud Ahoy, OzRunways in Australia, SkyDemon in Europe, with more to follow.

The Avidyne IFDs are compatible with SkyDemon Version 3.14.3 (or later).

About SkyDemon (www.skydemon.aero/)SkyDemon is a U.K.-based software company that designs and develops the subscription-based SkyDemon software for VFR flight planning and navigation. The SkyDemon app provides easy flight-planning, mapping and flight logging right on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device in flight. Live briefing data includes NOTAM, airfield documents and maps, TAF, METAR, wind forecasts at altitude, and more.

About Avidyne Corporation (www.avidyne.com)
Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and product design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of avionics systems including their dzus-mounted ATLAS™, HELIOS™ and panel-mounted IFD-Series FMS systems, AMX240 audio panel, and DFC90 digital flight control systems. With a complete range of SkyTrax ADS-B solutions, including the AXP322 and AXP340 Mode S ADS-B Transponders, SkyTrax100B receivers, and SkyTrax600 ADS-B & Active Traffic systems, Avidyne provides complete support for the worldwide NextGen ATC surveillance upgrade. Headquartered in Melbourne, FL, the company has additional facilities in Westerville, OH, and Concord, MA.

For more information contact:

Tom Harper
Avidyne Corporation

781.402.7434

tharper@avidyne.com

Avidyne has completed construction and move-in to their new 12,000 square foot hangar at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport; Avidyne’s new hangar facility will be used for the company’s growing avionics integration, flight test, and certification activities.

Melbourne, Florida  – September 21, 2020–– Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics systems, flight displays, and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, business jets and helicopters announced the completion of construction and the opening of their spacious new Aircraft Integration and Flight Test Center at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport  (MLB).

“Avidyne has experienced significant growth over the past several years, directly attributable to the success of our popular IFD-Series products, and we see substantial opportunity as we move up market with our recently-announced ATLAS™ and HELIOS™ flight management systems,” said Avidyne CEO Dan Schwinn.

“We are excited to open our new integration and flight test center, which has a prime location and ramp space at Orlando Melbourne International Airport with 10,000 square feet of hangar space plus 2,000 square feet of flight operations office space, allowing us to expand our flight operations certification efforts and to accommodate future growth.”

“We have outgrown our current hangar location at the airport, and we are delighted to be moving our flight operations and certification teams into our new hangar space as planned,” said Roger Mitchell, Senior Vice President of Operations.  “Our new facility is capable of housing aircraft as large as a G550 and reflects Avidyne’s need to be able to perform integration and test work on larger aircraft as we move upmarket.”

About Orlando Melbourne International Airport – MLB (www.mlbair.com)

Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB) is an award-winning airport named Florida’s 2019 Commercial Service Airport of the Year and the #1 Most Scenic Airport Approach in the U.S.A. Located on the Central Florida coast, MLB currently provides service on American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and is preparing for TUI UK’s arrival in 2022 with a major terminal renovation and expansion project.  MLB has gained global recognition as an epicenter for aviation, aerospace and defense, home to Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, Embraer, Collins Aerospace, Avidyne, and most recently Aerion Supersonic.

About Avidyne Corporation (www.avidyne.com)
Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and product design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of avionics systems including their dzus-mounted ATLAS™, HELIOS™ and panel-mounted IFD-Series FMS systems, AMX240 audio panel, and DFC90 digital flight control systems. With a complete range of SkyTrax ADS-B solutions, including the AXP322 and AXP340 Mode S ADS-B Transponders, SkyTrax100B receivers, and SkyTrax600 ADS-B & Active Traffic systems, Avidyne provides complete support for the worldwide NextGen ATC surveillance upgrade. Headquartered in Melbourne, FL, the company has additional facilities in Westerville, OH, and Concord, MA.

STC provides operators of select Primus 1000-equipped Citation 560 Excel and XLS models with LPV Approach capability, Electronic Approach Charts, ADS-B position source information and more.

Melbourne, FL – September 14, 2020-– Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics systems, displays, and safety systems for the aviation industry, announced receipt of FAA Supplemental Type Certificate installation approval for the IFD540 Multifunction Flight Management System in Citation 560 Excel/XLS aircraft equipped with Primus 1000 electronic flight instrument systems.

“We are pleased to have completed our first in-house Part 25 Transport Category STC for the IFD series of Multifunction Flight Management Systems. This STC covers the installation of IFD540s in Citation Excel and XLS aircraft, and will be the basis for additional STC amendments and field approvals by Avidyne and our MRO partners for the entire range of Avidyne Multifunction Flight Management Systems in a wide variety of turbine aircraft,” said John Talmadge, Avidyne’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales. “IFD installations have already been field-approved with partner MROs on the Citation II, Citation V, Citation Bravo, Lear 31, Lear 35, the Westwind, and the Piaggio Avanti II, EVO and Classic, with more to follow.”

The IFD540 and all Avidyne IFD-series Multifunction Flight Management Systems feature Avidyne’s innovative GPS Legacy Aviation System (GLAS™) option, enabling a direct LPV-capable interface to legacy Primus 1000 or Proline 21 avionics systems in business aircraft, without the exorbitant costs of external adapter boxes or EFIS factory upgrades.

“This Part 25 STC moves Avidyne another leap forward as we expand into this market of otherwise highly-capable legacy turbine aircraft that are in dire need of affordable avionics modernization solutions,” said Avidyne CEO Dan Schwinn. “Our IFD Multifunction Flight Management Systems provide autopilot-coupled LPV Approach capability—which opens these aircraft up to a large number of airports and runways —and other capabilities that extend the life and the value of these aircraft for many years to come. In addition, Avidyne’s upcoming Atlas console-mount FMS will greatly expand the installation flexibility of our product line and open up installation options in many more turbine aircraft models.”

Turbine aircraft operators who upgrade to Avidyne Multifunction Flight Management Systems add easy-to-use, hybrid touch FMS capability, LPV approach capability, 3D synthetic vision views of nearby terrain, obstacles, traffic display and ADS-B position source capability. Avidyne has previously received STC approval of dual hybrid touchscreen IFD Multifunction Flight Management System installations in Cessna CitationJet 525 models with Collins Pro Line 21™ and the FGC-3000 Digital Flight Control System, and single IFD545 installations on the Citation CJ1+, CJ2+ and CJ3.

Pricing, Availability and More Information
The dual Avidyne IFD5-Series FMS solution for the Citation Excel and XLS models with Primus 1000 EFIS is now available and is being offered through multiple Avidyne-approved Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sites. To discuss pricing and other options, contact your preferred avionics MRO or Avidyne Business Aviation Sales Manager Dale Ferrer at +1.321.751.8500 or dferrer@avidyne.com.

About the IFD-Series (https://www.avidyne.com/fms-business-aviation/)
Avidyne’s IFD and Atlas Multifunction Flight Management Systems provide full-featured GPS/FMS navigation, optional integrated VHF communication and navigation, and a hybrid-touch user interface that offers pilots the best of touch screen operation, along with dedicated knobs and buttons for easy control through all phases of flight. All Avidyne Multifunction Flight Management Systems include geo-referenced Jeppesen Electronic Approach Charts & Airport Diagrams and integrated wireless connectivity via Bluetooth® and WiFi. The IFD545 and IFD510 are panel mount GPS-only versions without VHF NAV/COM functionality, for customers who choose to keep their legacy radios. IFD550 and IFD545 are panel mount models that provide an integrated Attitude Reference Sensor (ARS). The ARS detects Pitch and Roll motion and enables the display of dynamic Synthetic Vision (SVS) with full-motion three-dimensional “out-the-window” views as well as exocentric “in-trail” views of the aircraft and nearby terrain, obstacles, traffic and terrain. The IFD550/ IFD545 also gives pilots the ability to overlay Horizontal & Vertical Deviation Indicators, a Total Velocity Vector (TVV)/Flight Path Marker, and adjustable field of regard. Avidyne Atlas is a console dzus-mount Multifunction Flight Management System that combines an easy-to-use touch screen navigator with full-color display of moving map, weather, traffic, geo-referenced approach charts & airport diagrams, radar, video, integrated WiFi connectivity, and extensive I/O including Avidyne’s unique GLAS technology for seamless integration with a wide-range of EFIS systems for SBAS/LPV approach capability.

For High Resolution images please visit: http://www2.avidyne.com/news/media.asp

About Avidyne Corporation (www.avidyne.com)
Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and product design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of avionics systems including the recently-announced dzus-mounted ATLAS™ and HELIOS™ Multifunction Flight Management Systems, the panel-mounted IFD-Series FMS/ GPS/ NAV/ COMs, AMX240 audio panel, and DFC90 digital flight control systems. With a complete range of SkyTrax ADS-B solutions, including the AXP322 and AXP340 Mode S ADS-B Transponders, SkyTrax100B receivers, and SkyTrax600 ADS-B & Active Traffic systems, Avidyne provides complete support for the worldwide NextGen ATC surveillance upgrade. Headquartered in Melbourne, FL, the company has additional facilities in Westerville, OH, and Concord, MA.

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For more information, contact:
Tom Harper
Avidyne Corporation
781.402.7434
tharper@avidyne.com

Avidyne® is a registered trademark of Avidyne Corporation. All other products or services are identified by trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

AVIDYNE ANNOUNCES “VIRTUAL OSHKOSH” EVENTS DURING EAA SPIRIT OF AVIATION WEEK

In addition to a series of product webinars. Avidyne is partnered with SocialFlightLive.com to host interviews with prominent aviation personalities.

Melbourne, FL – June 17, 2020–– Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics systems, displays, and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, announced they are offering a slate of informative avionics-product webinars and interviews with aviation personalities in support of EAA’s “Spirit of Aviation Week,” taking place July 20-25, and in lieu of EAA AirVenture, which was originally scheduled but cancelled due to COVID-19.

“We are really excited to be participating in the EAA’s Spirit of Aviation Week” said Dan Schwinn, Avidyne’s President and CEO. “While we are all disappointed we cannot fly to Oshkosh this year, we can be there in spirit and share our passion for aviation, while providing pilots, customers and other would-be show attendees some interesting aviation insight and stimulating airplane talk.”

Avidyne’s schedule of events is as follows:

Monday, July 20

5:00pm (2200UTC) – SocialFlightLive.com – Kristoffer Patasnik -aka “Baron Pilot”

Tuesday, July 21

10:00am (1500UTC) – Avidyne Forum – “Learning the IFD: IFD Basics”

5:00pm (2200UTC) – SocialFlightLive.com – Kevin & Jaime Thornton -aka “310 Pilot”

Wednesday, July 22

10:00am (1500UTC) – Avidyne Forum – “Learning the IFD: IFD Advanced”

5:00pm (2200UTC) – SocialFlightLive.com – Adrian Eichhorn – Bonanza pilot

Thursday, July 23

10:00am (1500UTC) – Avidyne Forum – “The Avidyne Atlas™ MultiFunction FMS”

5:00pm (2200UTC) – SocialFlightLive.com –Jason Schappert of MZeroA.

Friday, July 24

10:00am (1500UTC) – Avidyne Forum – “IFD100App & Foreflight with the IFD”

5:00pm (2200UTC) – SocialFlightLive.com – Robert DeLaurentis – aka “Zen Pilot”

Register for any or all of these virtual events at: www.avidyne.com/virtualoshkosh2020

Visit Avidyne Booth #3130A in Hangar C on the EAA Spirit of Aviation Week™ Virtual Expo at: https://www.eaatogether.org/virtual-expo

About Avidyne Corporation (www.avidyne.com)
Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and product design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of avionics systems including the recently-announced dzus-mounted ATLAS™ and HELIOS™ FMS systems, the panel-mounted IFD-Series FMS/ GPS/ NAV/ COMs, AMX240 audio panel, and DFC90 digital flight control systems. With a complete range of SkyTrax ADS-B solutions, including the AXP322 and AXP340 Mode S ADS-B Transponders, SkyTrax100B receivers, and SkyTrax600 ADS-B & Active Traffic systems, Avidyne provides complete support for the worldwide NextGen ATC surveillance upgrade. Headquartered in Melbourne, FL, the company has additional facilities in Westerville, OH, and Concord, MA.

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For more information, contact:

Avidyne Helios is the newest member of Avidyne’s next-generation ‘multifunction’ flight management system product line; Following the recent announcement of Avidyne Atlas for fixed-wing turbine-class aircraft, Avidyne Helios is designed to meet the rigorous demands of rotorcraft operators for corporate, military and special-mission operations,

Melbourne, Florida  – January 21, 2020–– Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics systems, displays, ADS-B and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, announced their new dzus-mounted Avidyne Helios  multifunction flight management system (FMS) for helicopters.

The Avidyne Helios provides many of the same features as the previously-announced Avidyne Atlas FMS,  including a Satellite-based Augmentation System (SBAS) GPS navigator,  a full QWERTY style keyboard, with Avidyne’s unique ‘Page & Tab’ and hybrid touch-screen user interface, and a full color Moving Map with high-resolution, three arc-second terrain basemap, geo-referenced Jeppesen™ Electronic Approach Charts and Airport Diagrams—including Helicopter  approaches and HeliPorts.  Helios options include 16-watt VHF NAV/COM with ILS, HTAWS, Avidyne’s GLAS™ legacy avionics interface, Radar control/display capability, NVIS compatibility, and an RS-170 video input.

“Avidyne Helios is a natural extension of our highly-capable multifunction FMS line, providing the same great easy-to-use features of our IFD and ATLAS FMS products. Helios is built from the ground up to meet the rigorous demands of the rotorcraft environment,” said Avidyne CEO Dan Schwinn. “With built in moving map— featuring our new 3 arc-second terrain and power line data—plus charts, and VHF NAV/COM, video, NVIS and radar options, Avidyne Helios gives corporate, military, and special-mission helicopter operators a highly- integrated and much more capable FMS solution .”

“Avidyne Helios gives our Part 27 and Part 29 rotorcraft customers a powerful new option when upgrading their GPS navigation capabilities, ,” said John Talmadge, Avidyne’s Director of Worldwide Sales.  “Its extensive I/O provides easy interface with a wide range of new and existing flight instrument systems, and its integrated design gives Avidyne Helios a big advantage–especially for fleet operators looking to reduce installation and  operational costs, including updates of the FMS database and electronic approach plates, as well as extended warranty.”

About Avidyne Helios™

The Avidyne Helios flight management system is a dzus-mounted GPS/SBAS flight management system that meets TSO-C146c for full SBAS/LPV approach guidance, including easy-to-use flight planning, ‘one-touch’ departure, airway, and arrival   Helios has a full QWERTY-style keyboard along with touch-screen ‘hybrid touch’ user interface that provides easy map panning and rubber-band flight plan editing.  It’s designed to seamlessly integrate with existing equipment in the aircraft including a long list of CDIs, HSIs, remote sensors, and autopilots, and it is also an approved ADS-B GPS position source with numerous transponders.

Helios also offers an option for Avidyne’s GPS Legacy Avionics Support (GLAS™) interface which provides direct compatibility with legacy Collins Proline 21 and Honeywell Primus EFIS systems for vertical guidance during approach operations. This unique integration capability enables EFISs certified before the availability of LPV approaches to have coupled approach guidance on these and other SBAS approaches.

The Avidyne Atlas boasts a variety of features not found in any other FMS system, such as:

• Hybrid touch-screen user interface
• Moving map with airspace, terrain, navaid, and airport display capability
• High resolution 3-arc-second color-contoured terrain base map
• Powerline data available as a Map feature
• Display of XM or ADS-B weather with full graphics as an overlay on the map
• Traffic display from TCAS, TAS, or ADS-B
• Display of Jeppesen approach plates and airport diagrams, including HeliPorts
• Integrated WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
• Integration with ForeFlight® and a host of other EFBs
• Built-in USB charger
• Optional integrated 16-watt VHF COM, VOR, localizer and glide slope radio w/15  COMM Channel presets with remote Increment/Decrement and XFER
• Optional NVIS compatibility
• Optional Avidyne GLAS™ technology
• Optional radar display for BendixKing digital radars
• Optional integrated HTAWS
• Optional R-170 video input

The single-box system is 7.5” tall, 5.75” wide, and 10.615” deep and is form-factor compatible to physically fit is the same space as a host of legacy FMS systems.

Pricing &Availability

Introductory pricing on Avidyne Helios™ starts at $23,999.  Helios with optional 16-watt VHF COM/NAV/ILS is $29,999.  Contact Avidyne for pricing of additional options, including HTAWS, NVIZ, Radar, Video, GLAS, and Gray Bezel.

Initial certification of the Avidyne Helios is expected later this year, with additional STCs to follow.

For more information on this please visit: www.avidyne.com.

For High Resolution images please visit: http://www2.avidyne.com/news/media.asp

About Avidyne Corporation (www.avidyne.com)
Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and product design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of avionics systems including their dzus-mounted ATLAS™ and panel-mounted IFD-Series FMS/ GPS/ NAV/ COMs, AMX240 audio panel, and DFC90 digital flight control systems. With a complete range of SkyTrax ADS-B solutions, including the AXP322 and AXP340 Mode S ADS-B Transponders, SkyTrax100B receivers, and SkyTrax600 ADS-B & Active Traffic systems, Avidyne provides complete support for the worldwide NextGen ATC surveillance upgrade. Headquartered in Melbourne, FL, the company has additional facilities in Westerville, OH, and Concord, MA.

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Avidyne Atlas is a next-generation ‘multifunction’ flight management system that’s an easy-to-use touch screen navigator with full-color display of moving map, weather, traffic, geo-referenced approach charts & airport diagrams, radar, video, integrated WiFi connectivity, and extensive I/O including Avidyne’s unique GLAS technology for seamless integration with a wide-range of EFIS systems for SBAS/LPV approach capability.

Melbourne, Florida  – October 15, 2019–– Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics systems, displays, ADS-B and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, announced their new dzus-mounted Avidyne Atlas  multifunction flight management system for turbine-class aircraft and helicopters.

The Avidyne Atlas includes a Satellite-based Augmentation System (SBAS) GPS navigator with Required Navigation Performance (RNP) and Area Navigation (RNAV) capability, including Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV), Lateral Navigation/ Vertical Navigation  (LNAV/VNAV), LNAV-Only, and Approach Procedures with Vertical (APV) approach modes. The system also features a full QWERTY style keyboard, with Avidyne’s unique ‘Page & Tab’ and hybrid touch-screen user interface, allowing the pilot to get to any function in only one or two button pushes.  The touch screen also provides full color Moving Map, plus geo-referenced Jeppesen™ Electronic Approach Charts and Airport Diagrams.

“We are really excited to announce the Avidyne Atlas multifunction flight management system for business aviation.  Avidyne Atlas is a next-generation FMS replacement specifically targeted to provide console-equipped jet operators with a highly-capable navigation and flight management solution that pilots will find incredibly easy to use,” said Avidyne CEO Dan Schwinn. “We are already working closely with OEMs and also with several key MRO partners to identify launch platforms for the Avidyne ATLAS.”

“Based on proven Avidyne technology in use in thousands of units and with hundreds of thousands of flight hours, the all-in-one Avidyne Atlas really gives our Part 25 customers a powerful new option when upgrading their GPS navigation capabilities, especially in aircraft with older-generation EFIS displays where options have been limited,” said John Talmadge, Avidyne’s Director of Worldwide Sales.  “Customers choosing the Avidyne Atlas will really appreciate its integrated design and lower installation costs, and more importantly they will see dramatic operational cost reduction, including big savings in recurring costs for updates of the FMS database and electronic approach plates, as well as extended warranty. This will be a great upgrade for operators that previously chose to do a compliance-only ADS-B Out upgrade, as Atlas will provide them with the full benefits that SBAS has to offer.”

About Avidyne Atlas™

The Avidyne Atlas flight management system is a dzus-mount GPS/SBAS flight management system that meets TSO-C146c for full SBAS/LPV approach guidance, including easy-to-use flight planning, ‘one-touch’ departure, airway, and arrival navigation, and Avidyne’s innovative GeoFill™ waypoint nomination.  The Avidyne Atlas has a full QWERTY-style keyboard along with touch-screen ‘hybrid touch’ user interface that provides easy map panning and rubber-band flight plan editing.  Its extensive I/O is designed to integrate with existing equipment in the aircraft including a long list of EFIS, PFDs, CDIs, HSIs, remote sensors, and autopilots, and it is also an approved ADS-B GPS position source with numerous transponders.  Avidyne’s GPS Legacy Avionics Support (GLAS™) provides a direct interface to legacy Collins Proline 21 and Honeywell Primus EFIS systems for vertical guidance during approach operations. This unique integration capability enables EFISs certified before the availability of LPV approaches to have coupled approach guidance on these and other SBAS approaches.

The Avidyne Atlas boasts a variety of features not found in any other FMS system, such as:

• Hybrid touch-screen user interface
• Moving map with extensive airspace, terrain, navaid, and airport display capability
• Display of XM or ADS-B weather with full graphics as an overlay on the map
• Traffic display from TCAS, TAS, or ADS-B
• Display of Jeppesen approach plates and airport diagrams with aircraft position shown on the charts
• Integrated WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
• Avidyne GLAS™ technology
• Integration with ForeFlight® and a host of other EFBs
• Built-in USB charger
• Optional integrated 16-Watt VHF COM, VOR, localizer and glide slope radio
• Optional radar display for Bendix King digital radars
• Optional integrated TAWS-B

Avidyne Atlas also offers an optional RS-170 video display capability.

The system is 7.5” tall, 5.75” wide, and 10.615” deep and is form factor compatible with a host of legacy FMS systems.

For more information on this please visit: www.avidyne.com.

For High Resolution images please visit: http://www2.avidyne.com/news/media.asp

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For more information, contact: