Avidyne Receives Brazilian Validation of DFC90 Autopilot in Cessna 182 Aircraft
Lincoln, MA. – April 30, 2013-– Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated flight deck and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, today announced that they have received Agência Nacional De Aviação Civil–Brasil (ANAC) validation for the installation of their DFC90 Digital Autopilot in Cessna 182-series aircraft when interfaced with the Evolution Pro Primary Flight Display (PFD) from Aspen Avionics of Albuquerque.
This DFC90 autopilot validation includes 16 models of the Cessna 182 Skylane Series including the 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, R182N, 182P, 182Q, 182R, 182S, 182T, and the R182. Aspen holds an Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate (AML-STC) and ANAC approval for their Evolution Pro PFD on a wide range of aircraft including these C182 models.
“We are pleased to add Brazilian certification of the DFC90 for the Skylane series,” said Patrick Herguth, Avidyne’s Chief Operating Officer. “The DFC90 adds significant performance improvements plus Envelope Protection and the Straight and Level button, which can dramatically enhance the safety, the utility, and the value of these aircraft.”
About the DFC90 & Aspen Evolution Pro PFD
The DFC90 digital autopilot system adds significant performance and safety benefits including Airspeed Hold (IAS), Envelope Protection (EP™) and full-time Envelope Alerting (EA™), which prevent stalls and overspeeds, and even provides monitoring and alerting when the autopilot is off. The Straight & Level capability provides one-button recovery from unusual attitudes. The DFC90 was designed as a plug-and-play replacement for existing STEC55X autopilot systems. The DFC90 can use the existing 55X mounting tray, servos and much of the wiring, which dramatically reduces installation costs. While not fully plug and play, STEC30/50/60-2/65 series autopilots may also be replaced by a DFC90 under this STC, making use of existing STEC servos and brackets.
The Aspen Pro PFD provides attitude inputs to the DFC90 from its integrated Air Data and Attitude/Heading Reference Sensor (ADAHRS), while presenting the pilot with autopilot Mode Annunciations and Alerts right on the primary flight instrument. In addition to pitch and roll inputs, the Aspen Pro PFD also provides Heading Select, Altitude Preselect, Indicated Airspeed Select, and Vertical Speed Select inputs to the DFC90. The Aspen Pro PFD also has an optional Synthetic Vision feature for added situational awareness and safety.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing for the DFC90 autopilot starts at $9,995 plus installation for single-engine piston aircraft. Pricing assumes the aircraft has compatible STEC autopilot servos installed.
Aspen Evolution Pro PFDs are priced starting at $10,180 plus installation. The software unlock for integrating the DFC90 is priced at $1,995, labor not included, and requires v2.6 software or later. Aspen currently holds an Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate (AML-STC) and ANAC approval for their Evolution Pro PFD on a wide range of aircraft.
Pricing does not include the cost of shipping, VAT, other parts or dealer labor.
Additional DFC90/Aspen retrofit certifications will be forthcoming, including approvals for the Bonanza and Baron series of aircraft.
About Aspen Avionics, Inc. (www.aspenavionics.com)
Aspen Avionics specializes in bringing the most advanced technology and capability into general aviation and helicopter cockpits—and budgets. Our products increase situational awareness and reduce pilot workload, making it easier and safer to fly in both VFR and IFR conditions. The way we look at it, getting the latest avionics technology shouldn’t always mean spending a lot of money—on equipment or installation. At Aspen Avionics, we design products to be affordable, easy to install, and easy to own.
About Avidyne Corporation (www.avidyne.com)
Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and its Flying Made Simple™ system design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of panel-mounted avionics including their new IFD540 and IFD440 FMS/GPS/NAV/COM, AMX240 audio panel, AXP340 Mode S Transponder, and DFC90 digital flight control systems. Avidyne’s product line also includes the industry-leading Entegra Release 9 integrated flight deck with DFC100 digital flight control system, datalink-capable EX600 multi-function displays, the dual-antenna TAS600 series of active traffic advisory systems with ADS-B, the MLB700 broadcast datalink receiver, the MLX770 world-wide datalink transceiver, and the TWX670 Tactical Weather Detection system. Headquartered in Lincoln, MA, the company has facilities in Columbus, OH, Melbourne, FL, and Boulder, CO.
