Aspen Avionics Inc. announced July 27 at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., that geo-referencing is now available on instrument approach procedures and airport diagrams displayed on the company’s EFD1000 and EFD500 multifunction flight display (MFD) products.
Aspen said it is the first avionics manufacturer to offer a certified geo-referenced AeroNav (formerly NACO) chart solution. There are no activation fees or other charges for Aspen customers to utilize the geo-referencing capability.
Aspen partnered with Seattle Avionics to bring the geo-referenced capability to its Evolution Flight Display System, providing pilots with enhanced situational awareness. Aspen MFDs use the full Seattle Avionics ChartData library, which is developed from AeroNav’s U.S. instrument approach procedure charts, departure procedures, standard terminal arrival routes, and airport diagrams. Seattle Avionics’ proprietary algorithms produce the geo-referenced chart database.
Unique to the Evolution system is the ability to simultaneously view the approach chart and GPS flight plan data without needing to switch between different MFD pages, Aspen noted, which improves situational awareness and reduces cockpit workload.
“This joint development for the additional ChartData functionality is significant in that it realizes a common goal for Aspen and Seattle Avionics—to bring affordable technology to the general aviation community,” said Brad Hayden, Aspen’s vice president of marketing. “No other certified avionics manufacturer offers this level of functionality at this price point.”
One-time ChartData updates from Seattle Avionics Software cost $99, and annual subscriptions are $299. Seattle Avionics is offering 90 days of ChartData updates—covering three 28-day charting cycle updates—at no charge to Aspen customers. Free accounts can be set up at the Seattle Avionics Software website.
Aspen also announced a new extended product warranty program. The extended warranty covers component repair of the Evolution Flight Display System for one year, with special pricing options for multidisplay installations. “The Evolution Flight Displays are easy to upgrade with new features and compatible with existing avionics, and as a result, we expect them to be in our customers’ panels for a very long time,” said Mark Ferrari, Aspen’s vice president of sales and customer service. “Aspen’s affordable extended product warranty program is designed to give owners coverage against unexpected maintenance after their factory warranties expire. The new warranty can be renewed annually for ongoing protection of their avionics investment.”
Evolution Flight Display owners can purchase a one-year extended product warranty any time before their factory warranty expires. For customers whose flight displays are already out of factory warranty, the company is offering an introductory signup period until Nov. 30, 2010.
Extended warranties are purchased for each individual flight display installed; single-display extended warranties list for $695 annually, and coverage for two displays in the same panel is $995. Evolution 2500 Package customers who purchase annual extended warranties for their EFD1000 Primary Flight Display and EFD1000 Multifunction Flight Display (MFD) will receive extended coverage for their EFD500 MFD free of charge. The extended warranty covers repairs, as well as shipping to and from the Aspen factory; labor costs for display removal and replacement are not covered.
Mike Collins
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