DFC90 and the Aspen PFD |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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DFC90-Aspen PFD Integration Status Update (12 Apr 2012):
V35B Progress Report: Tuning for the V-tail Bonanza is complete. We ended up flying 6 or 7 sorties over the last two weeks and have fully tested all aspects of the V-tail envelope up to 17,500'. I even had the good fortune to personally fly the 2 hour "final exam" tuning flight today and can attest to how well this autopilot flies the airplane. We return the airplane to Normal category tomorrow and turn over the airplane back to its owner on Saturday. Our next steps are to take that tuned software model and perform the necessary certification testing and put it in the cert line with the FAA. Likely next milestones to report on in this forum are: Final Aspen software delivered (there is still a small punch list of minor user interface changes to make); Final cert package turned into the FAA for the Cessna 182 model; Final cert package turned into the FAA for the Cirrus SR22 model equipped with Aspen PFD; Final cert package turned into the FAA for the BE-35 series; Flight testing and tuning of BE-36 models and the Barons. |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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DFC90-Aspen PFD Integration Status Update (5 Apr 2012):
V35B Progress Report: The V-tail Bonanza did make it to our Melbourne hangar over the weekend. It's a two-tube Aspen configuration that we modified with a DFC90. All installations were completed on Tuesday, FAA Experimental ticket issued Wednesday morning and it took it's first DFC90 test flight yesterday, afternoon (4 April). We have some minor gain adjustments to make and then we'll spend the next 5-10 days testing all corners of the flight envelope. So far, so good. |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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DFC90-Aspen PFD Integration Status Update (31 Mar 2012):
It's been a busy couple of weeks for the combined Aspen PFD - Avidyne DFC90 project. Some highlights: We've been very active in flying both the Aspen-equipped SR22 with the DFC90 and the Aspen-equipped C-182 with the DFC90. We believe the autopilot performance mods are now totally complete. In other words, the autopilot flies those aircraft very, very well and we have no more changes to make at all with the autopilot. We have a few more minor changes to make with the Aspen display software (e.g. tweaking the annunciator display and the autopilot bug display behavior). We also have to fix an airplane level gremlin in the SR22 (not Aspen display or Avidyne autopilot related) to allow the airplane to perform exactly as it does in the certified DFC90 equipped Cirri. We've spent this past week out at Plant City FL with both airplanes giving demo flights to a host of aviation writers and editors. The autopilot performed flawlessly throughout all of that "stress testing". In the meantime, we've started flying a F33A out in our CO location. It was modified for the DFC90 and we're flying the standard test point matrix now. That should be done in a week or two which means we'll have a fully tuned DFC90 model for the BE-33 family. We then have to create the appropriate drawing packages and STC cert data before that can be considered an approved and shipping configuration. As of Monday, 2 April, we'll be flying a V35B Bonanza in our Melbourne FL facility. We expect about two weeks of flight testing with that airplane after which we'll spend a few weeks putting together the final cert package for the FAA. The C-182 STC package will officially be the first one we turn into the FAA for certification. So, from a cert perspective, that is the next set of milestones I'll report on here. Upcoming milestones for that effort include: Final Aspen software configuration, Company Ground and Flight Test Report completed, FAA Flight Test completed. We'll also likely update the F33A and V35B flight testing progress when there is something interesting to report or they are completed. Same will be true when the Aspen-equipped Cirrus package is ready to go into the FAA.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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DFC90-Aspen PFD Integration Status Update (6 Mar 2012): Here is a draft DFC90 Pilot Guide that has been updated for the Aspen PFD integration. This is subject to changes that may be required as part of the FAA evaluation and certification activities. There are some known formatting changes (pagination, TOC, index, etc) that are being cleaned up but we believe this content is complete. Would love to hear any feedback before it hits the printers. http://www.avidyne.com/publications/dfc90/600-00252-000-u.pdf |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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Gring
Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2011 Location: Kingston, NY Status: Offline Points: 720 |
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Awesome, I can't wait to see the marketplace effect when these are certified.
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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Victor
Groupie Joined: 03 Feb 2012 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 60 |
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Thanks Steve.
Hopefully the Mooney will be one of the first for consideration after the current types are complete. All good things come to those who wait. Victor
Edited by Victor - 05 Feb 2012 at 5:43am |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Hi Victor,
We agree the Mooney is a great candidate airplane for the DFC90. I'm sorry to keep sounding like a broken record but we are focused on knocking out the certifications for the models we've announced so far before we announce any other types of aircraft. I suspect that will keep us occupied for most of 2012. |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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Victor
Groupie Joined: 03 Feb 2012 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 60 |
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What are there, if any plans for Mooney aircraft being considered to add to the certification list?
There are around 7,000 Mooneys flying around the world. Many owners I know are keen for the DFC90 when it becomes available. My own Mooney has an Aspen Pro 1000 PFD and a STEC 55x autopilot and can hardly wait. Thanks Edited by Victor - 04 Feb 2012 at 7:33am |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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DFC90-Aspen PFD Integration Status Update (27 Jan 2012):
Aspen has completed the user interface mods to the Aspen PFD and both Aspen and Avidyne are testing it. This includes the various autopilot bug values, autopilot modes annunciations and all the setup parameters. Both companies are scheduled to be flying the for-credit company flight tests of the updated code during the month of February. I expect the next meaningful milestone to report on will be the completion of those company flight tests. |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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DFC90-Aspen PFD Integration Status Update (29 Dec 2011):
Avidyne has two Aspen-equipped and DFC90-equipped C-182s that we're using for development and certification platforms and Aspen now has their company SR22 equipped with an Aspen PFD and DFC90 autopilot. We believe the Aspen attitude and nav output performance is now acceptable and we are working on the user interface for the Aspen PFD. We are running two aircraft certifications in parallel. Aspen will achieve the STC on the SR2X aircraft and Avidyne will achieve the STC on the 182 platforms. As noted in an earlier post above, Avidyne also has long-term possession of a 1984 F33A Bonanza. This is a King servo equipped airplane. We are currently running characterization testing of the MET circuit so we understand pitch trim speed, responsiveness, bandwidth, circuit design, etc. As soon as we are done with that MET testing, we will run the aerodynamic model flight tests (January 2012) where we measure the aircraft response to various control inputs which then gets rolled back into the DFC90 aero model and software. Next steps after that are to install an Aspen PFD in that airplane. I expect the next meaningful milestone to report on will be the completion of the user interface mods to the Aspen PFD. |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Hi "rds727",
We hear you. We also think that would be a great platform for the DFC90. We're going to stay focused on the current announced aircraft to be supported and complete those to a sufficient degree before we commit ourselves to taking on a new airplane type. That being said, we do have a head start on a portion of the Arrow (and Warrior) population. I specifically mean the Avidyne Entegra EXP5000 PFD and STec 55X equipped PA28s. Any chance your airplane has that configuration? (I'm assuming from the way you worded your question that that would be a "no"). Steve |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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rds727
Newbie Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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I am very interested in the Aspen / Avidyne DFC90 for a Piper Turbo Arrow. I know there are a lot of Cherokee drivers that would love this combo!
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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DFC90-Aspen PFD Integration Status Update (14 Nov 2011):
In addition to our company C-182 equipped with a DFC90 and Aspen PFD, we now have a BE33 Bonanza to use for DFC90 integration and testing. It's a 28V bird equipped with King KFC150 autopilot and servos and serves as the test bed for King servo integration and the cert platform for the smaller straight tail Bonanzas. |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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DFC90-Aspen PFD Integration Status Update (11 Nov 2011):
No new news to report. We're busy plugging away in our labs integrating with the King servos and continuing flight test in our company airplane that is equipped with the Aspen PFD and the DFC90 autopilot. |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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DFC90-Aspen PFD Integration Status Update (27 Oct 2011):
One clarifying note.....the flight test in the Cessna 182 is a 28V power bus system with STec System 30 previously installed. |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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DFC90-Aspen PFD Integration Status Update (26 Oct 11):
Avidyne has several flights under our belts now with an Aspen Pro PFD driving the DFC90 in our company Cessna 182. So far we've validated the Aspen AHRS mods and VHF modes. After several flights of tuning and debugging, we're now happy with that performance. Aspen plans to install the DFC90 into their company Cirrus SR22 in November and begin flights themselves. The design of the autopilot annunciators and bugs needed some modification for the SynVis version of the Aspen PFD and we're working on that now. |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Hello "wsh",
Thanks for the post and the Commander request. We think that would be a great platform for the DFC90 too. As you can gather from other posts, we haven't announced plans to support the Commander and are trying to stay focused on the platforms we have announced. We hope to come up for air in the next year and evaluate which aircraft to work on next. Steve |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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wsh
Groupie Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Status: Offline Points: 88 |
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I really am looking forward to this combi and hope you will certify it for the Commanders
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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There are no plans at this time to allow the Aspen PFD to able to drive a DFC100 in the event of a dual IFD failure. Just like the DFC90 and DFC100 are not compatible in that the communication databus (serial signal vs byteflight databus) are different and just like EXP5000 and R9 IFDs are not compatible communication schemes, the Aspen does not have an ability to transmit a R9 compatible format and the DFC100 does not have the ability to talk on both serial and Byteflight.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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Harvey
Release 9 Insiders Joined: 18 May 2009 Location: Tampa, FL. Status: Offline Points: 18 |
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I am considering the Aspen Backup display (see http://www.aspenavionics.com/pdfs/Evolution-Backup-Display-product-sheet.pdf ) as a replacement for the three remainig steam gauges. Aspen advertises the product interfces with most GA autopilots. Will the DFC 100 accept any commands, e.g., GPS steering, from this system? If not, are you planning on any such linkage? I am particularly interested in this unit because it provides a two hour battery back up and will fit in the existing panel slot. The Cirrus electrical system has not proved to be very robust and the Aspen system will leave me with a functioning AHRS if and when the alternators go down again. Does Avidyne have any such project in the works?
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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DFC90-Aspen PFD Integration Status Update: We now have working Aspen PFDs talking to and driving the DFC90 autopilot in our company labs. Aircraft are being prepped now for flight test as soon as we feel confident in flight readiness.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Hi Robert,
Understood. Still no specific plans to support the Cessna 210s with the DFC90 yet but we are eager to find a time/way to do so.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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TurboPA30
Senior Member Joined: 18 Sep 2010 Location: 27XS Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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Just to reiterate, my Cessna T210F is available anytime as cert platform. It has a new 1000Pro and an STEC30 with altitude & electric trim (same servos as 55X). Located Houston, TX.
Thank You Robert
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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A short update on the progress of the Aspen PFD-DFC90 Integration efforts.....
Aspen in the final stages of modifying the output of their PFD to look exactly like that of the Avidyne PFD. When complete, the DFC90 won't even know if an Avidyne unit or an Aspen unit is driving it. We expect to be getting a prototype very shortly. Aspen has their own SR22 that will conduct much of the flying and testing and Avidyne has equipped our Cessna 182 with an Aspen and a DFC90 and is awaiting that proto load from Aspen to do our own flight testing in. All of our respective labs are equipped with the hardware and are eagerly awaiting the proto Aspen load. The Aspen SR22 will be the initial cert platform airplane. Right now, we're collectively calling the estimated cert date of the SR22 variant to be Q4 of this year. We're talking weekly to ensure this program stays on track. We're also soliciting input from Baron and Bonanza owners on their willingness to use their airplanes as development or cert platforms. These aircraft have many more configuration variations than the Cirrus and 182 platforms and require more combination testing. |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Eric,
Just let me know if/when you want to arrange a visit. As for potential job opportunities, we'd be very interested in taking a look at your resume and/or talking about potential opportunities. If you really are serious, shoot me an email at sjacobson@avidyne.com with your information and we'll go from there. Steve Jacobson VP Product Management Avidyne Corporation sjacobson@avidyne.com 781 402 7474 (office) |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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etekberg
Newbie Joined: 04 May 2011 Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Thanks. I might just take you up on that. Actually, I'm so enthused about what you guys are doing I'm thinking about asking if you need any more computer engineers. |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Thanks Eric. Money being spent wisely. I see from your Beechtalk Avatar that you are located in Ok City. It's a distance but the invite is always open to visit our MA or FL offices for show/tell and progress checks.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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etekberg
Newbie Joined: 04 May 2011 Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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And I pre-ordered. Spend my money wisely please.
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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We announced the DFC90 support for Barons, Bonanzas and Skylanes this week at Oshkosh. I've started a separate thread on this forum for more information on those. They do require an Aspen PFD as the attitude source.
We are now in the final stages of looking at the Cessna 210 family for possible DFC90-Aspen support/integration. |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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TurboPA30
Senior Member Joined: 18 Sep 2010 Location: 27XS Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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I am already prepared for the installation in my T210F: Aspen and STEC30, so the servos are all there already. STC please!
Robert |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Bonanzas owners have generated a lot of interest in the possibility of an Aspen-DFC90 combo. Are you aware of any other Bonanza drivers who have an interest? We're using that type of input to determine the next set of aircraft to integrate/certify and the bigger the potential market, the more likely a given airframe will bubble it's way up to the top of the list.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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etekberg
Newbie Joined: 04 May 2011 Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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I hope the A36 and other Bonanzas are on your short list. I know that a reasonably priced PFD and autopilot system for my Bonanza would make me a buyer.
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Today (23 March 2011), we jointly announced with Aspen that some time later this year (presently forecast for Q4 2011), the DFC90 will be integrated and certified to work with an Aspen EFD1000 Pro or EFD1000 C3 Pro PFD and AHRS. We have been jointly working on this
integration for some time now and expect initial certification in the later
part of 2011. We will update the target
certification date as more milestones are achieved. This initial certification
will be for the Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft models. Follow on approvals in other make and model
aircraft are being evaluated and will be prioritized based on customer interest
and input. (The DFC100 will still
require an Avidyne R9 system.)
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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