New avionics company certifies PFD
By Ian Twombly
Startup avionics manufacturer Aspen Avionics has received certification for its glass-panel Evolution Flight Display 1000, the company announced March 14.
The EFD1000 is an aftermarket primary flight display (PFD) designed to replace the mechanical “six pack” instruments in a wide variety of general aviation airplanes. The company says it designed the system to be easy to install and upgrade. The EFD1000 is the centerpiece of the glass panel in this year’s AOPA Get Your Glass Sweepstakes Piper Archer.
Announced at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., last July, the company’s PFD is being sold in two versions—Pilot and Pro. The Pilot version is an attitude and heading reference system that replaces attitude indicators and directional gyros and sells for $5,995. The Pro integrates with legacy autopilots and most GPS systems, has an HSI and GPS steering, and sells for $9,995.
“It’s been a really good working relationship with the FAA,” said Doug Cayne, Aspen’s vice president of marketing. “I think the FAA recognizes the safety benefits of retrofit glass technology.” Cayne stressed that only a week elapsed between when the company submitted its certification package to the FAA and when technical standard order (TSO) approval was granted.
Next up for the avionics manufacturer is the master supplemental type certificate (STC) approval list, expected to be approved by the end of March. Customer deliveries should begin by March 31, Cayne said.
Be on the lookout for the April issue of AOPA Pilot as we take an exclusive first look at the Aspen EFD1000 PFD.
March 17, 2008
