Pilot Products

Avidyne EX5000

The multifunction display (MFD) world consists of some heavy hitters, all with varying compatibility and usability for the pilot in the mood (and in the money) to upgrade to glass. Last fall, Avidyne announced its next contender, the extra-large FlightMax EX series, including the EX5000C and EX3000C for Cirrus aircraft, and the EX5000 for the aftermarket.

I had the opportunity to fly a new Cirrus SR22 with the EX5000C installed from Frederick, Maryland, to Atlanta's DeKalb-Peachtree Airport this spring and put the big screen through its paces.

The EX MFDs come in either a landscape (horizontal) or portrait (vertical) presentation. Each provides the same display area, which has a 10.4-inch diagonal. Resolution is 800 by 600, with 65,535 colors. Though you'd be hard-pressed to count each color, the result is a rich display that shows terrain detail well and makes the information on the screen easy to take in. For example, special-use airspace is color-coded, and terrain shadows evoke dramatic changes in topography more readily than blocky displays. The SR22 had a horizontal presentation, to fit in the hole left by the Arnav MFD previously offered by Cirrus, and the moving map seems to fit better on the horizontal display, at least in the 360-degree, track-up mode.

The Cirrus versions, the EX5000C and EX3000C, incorporate checklists for the SR20 and SR22, and these were the first screens we accessed upon start-up. The EX5000C has ARINC 429 capability in addition to RS232 inputs — and thus can show curved flight paths — and it can display Goodrich Skywatch traffic information that the EX3000C cannot. To get to the various checklists, push the soft key on the lower left-hand corner of the display. An appropriate checklist can be selected from the menu, or you can immediately go to where you left off in the checklist sequence. The before-takeoff checklist highlighted each item as we went along.

Once in the air, the display defaults to a moving map with a terrain base map, which Avidyne provides via Jeppesen NavData on a 28-day cycle. The terrain database need not be current to file IFR, though it's always a good idea to update often for the best situational awareness. Overlays to the primary screen are accessed via the soft keys along the left side of the display, while using the keys on the right side changes base map and declutter functions.

After flying more than 150 hours with UPS Aviation Technologies's Apollo MX20 and becoming used to its high resolution and capabilities, I was impressed to see the EX5000C take the same quality to a larger screen, nearly four times larger. For situational awareness, the difference between a small screen and a large screen means a lot less eye strain for the same information. And the EX series can pack in far more, without the shuffling of screens or the clutter of multiple overlays on a more real-estate-challenged display.

Arriving in the Atlanta area, we brought up the ILS 20 Left approach into Peachtree complete with the missed approach hold at GORST Intersection. The EX5000's and 5000C's ability to show curved paths such as holding patterns when used with the Garmin GNS 400- and 500-series GPS units came in handy; there were two GNS 430s installed in N836CD. As we came down through the midday puffy whites, we transitioned to the visual approach to Runway 2 Right, and the EX5000C made ATC's vectors make sense — even for a pilot on her first approach into an unfamiliar area.

We had the advantage of having both Goodrich's Skywatch traffic and Stormscope lightning data displayed on the EX5000C. The Stormscope showed a couple of stray returns in an otherwise clear blue sky — possibly the result of a distant storm beyond the 200-nm range. The Skywatch on several occasions helped us pinpoint traffic before it was called by ATC.

Avidyne has added integrated engine monitoring and fuel totalizer capabilities to the EX5000, adding a graphical display of exhaust gas temperatures (EGTs), cylinder head temperatures (CHTs), fuel flows, oil temperature and pressure, rpm, and manifold pressure. The engine monitor includes a "lean acquire" mode and a "percent horsepower" display. Datalink weather, via Orbcomm's satellite communications network, will be available later this year, according to Avidyne. The company plans to add radar interfaces as well.

The EX5000 retails for $12,950. The EX5000C comes standard on the SR22, and the EX3000C is standard on the SR20 version 2.0 (base model). The upgrade to the EX5000C adds $2,950 to the SR20 version 2.0 package price; the EX5000C comes standard on SR20 versions 2.1 and 2.2. The unit weighs 6.4 pounds and measures 8.5 by 10.7 by 4.3 inches. For more information, contact Avidyne, 55 Old Bedford Road, Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773; telephone 800/284-3963; or visit the Web site ( www.avidyne.com).

WeatherClip wireless aviation weather

Another entry in the booming market of weather information delivery, WeatherClip, allows pilots to download current weather to their personal digital assistants (PDAs) for flight planning and update purposes. The program creates and stores flight plans 7or uploading to DUATS, delivers air traffic control advisories, and downloads Nexrad graphics.

WeatherClip was designed by John Costello, a pilot for a regional airline, as a means of obtaining preflight weather. WeatherClip is built for PDAs using the Palm operating system in conjunction with either a Palm wireless device or a modem. When using the Palm VII or VIIx PDAs and palm.net wireless service, WeatherClip can be used in the air — since palm.net uses noncellular technology for its data transmission. On other Palm PDAs and Handspring Visors and Prisms, WeatherClip gets its data through Omnisky, which is cellular-based and therefore unusable in the air because of FCC regulations.

We used WeatherClip on the ground to access local weather and load a flight plan. The navigation is intuitive, and the screens are clear and uncluttered. The stored-flight-plans function is a particularly nice feature for those who fly the same route often and want to be spared repeating themselves to flight service. Nexrad graphics, in an early version on the PDA we tested, load in about 20 seconds. METARs, TAFs, pireps, center weather advisories, airmets, sigmets, and ATC flow restrictions are also available through WeatherClip.

WeatherClip service costs $9.95 a month, which can be billed directly to a credit card. The wireless service provider bills airtime: For example, palm.net offers plans from $9.95 a month to $44.99 depending on the number of minutes. For more information, contact WeatherClip via the company's Web site ( www.weatherclip.com).

Test Pilot: 1,001 Things You Thought You Knew About Aviation

Barry Schiff debuted his monthly "Test Pilot" column in the March 1994 issue of AOPA Pilot. Since then, the noted aviation expert has compiled a vast store of information, both lighthearted and serious, on aviators, aircraft, and the history of flight. This knowledge comes together in Schiff's new book, Test Pilot: 1,001 Things You Thought You Knew About Aviation, recently published by Aviation Supplies and Academics (ASA).

The 388-page paperback offers questions and answers on topics ranging from navigation to weather. For example, do you know the approximate number of thunderstorms that occur per day over the Earth's surface? Would you believe 50,000? Throughout, Schiff's experience and humor shows in his treatment of each question, making for a fun and informative journey best taken in the company of friends on a rainy, hangar-flying day.

Test Pilot: 1,001 Things You Thought You Knew About Aviation retails for $19.95. For more information, contact Aviation Supplies and Academics, 7005 132nd Place Southeast, Newcastle, Washington 98059-3153; telephone 800/426-8338 or 425/235-1500; fax 425/235-0128; or visit the Web site ( www.asa2fly.com).

Briefly Noted

Avionics Innovations released the DMP-100, a cockpit audio system that plays prerecorded MP3 audio. Files are stored in a removable Flash memory card — on which you've recorded your favorite tracks via a home computer — and up to 225 tracks can be stored on each card. Additionally, RS232 data from the aircraft's GPS can be used to trigger certain tracks at predetermined geographical positions. Retail price is $2,995. For more information, contact Avionics Innovations, 2450 Montecino Road, Ramona, California 92065; telephone 760/788-2602; fax 760/789-7098; or visit the Web site ( www.avionicsinnovations.com).

Garmin recently introduced the GTX 330, its totally digital Mode S transponder. One unique feature of this transponder is its ability to receive FAA traffic information service (TIS) data. This data from approach radar shows all traffic within six miles and within 3,500 feet above and below the equipped aircraft. The traffic data can be displayed on the Garmin GNS 430 and 530 units. Deliveries are slated to start in August. List price is $4,995. For more information, contact Garmin, 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062; telephone 913/397-8200; fax 913/397-8282; or visit the Web site ( www.garmin.com). — Steven W. Ells

Goodrich Corporation introduced a situational awareness system that integrates lightning, navigation charts, collision avoidance, terrain awareness, and radar information on a bright 6-inch diagonal display. Called i-linc, the system can be customized by pilots and is designed for piston, turboprop, and jet aircraft. The system also can be configured with Jeppesen ChartView. Shipping will begin later this year. For more information, contact Goodrich by telephone 616/949-6600; fax 616/977-6898; or visit the Web site ( www.goodrichavionics.com). — Nathan A. Ferguson

Honeywell recently debuted its new KTA 970 TCAS I traffic alert and collision avoidance system for rotorcraft and fixed-wing applications. The KTA 970 can track up to 60 aircraft and display up to 30 aircraft at ranges up to 40 nm. The unit features a lightweight dual-directional antenna that weighs only a third of traditional TCAS antennas. For more information, contact Honeywell, One Technology Center, 23500 West 105th Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061-1950; telephone 877/712-2386 or 913/712-2613; fax 913/712-5697; or visit the Web site ( www.bendixking.com).

Unless otherwise stated, products listed herein have not been evaluated by AOPA Pilot editors. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors. However, members unable to get satisfaction regarding products listed should advise AOPA. To submit products for evaluation, contact: New Products Editor, AOPA Pilot , 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701; telephone 301/695-2350. Links to all Web sites referenced in this issue can be found on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/pilot/links.shtml).