Aspen Avionics Previews Evolution Multi-Function Displays
Lakeland FL, April 9, 2008: Hot on the heels of certification and first customer shipments of Aspen Avionics’ Evolution Primary Flight Displays (PFDs), the company unveiled this week at the Sun ‘n Fun airshow in Lakeland, Florida, its upcoming line of Multi-Function Displays (MFDs). Built on the same certified hardware platform as its PFDs, Aspen’s MFD line adds additional situational awareness tools, and increases safety by providing a fully redundant backup to the Primary Flight Display. The company plans to ship its MFDs in the first quarter of 2009.
The EFD1000 MFD and EFD500 MFD, announced last summer at Oshkosh, combine high-resolution, sectional-style moving maps with dedicated and overlaid hazard awareness displays (weather, traffic and terrain). The EFD1000 MFD adds a second, independent air data, attitude and heading reference system (ADAHRS), for full PFD redundancy at a remarkably affordable price. These next members of the Evolution Flight Display system deliver on its promise of modularity, expandability and upgradeability. Continuing the company’s philosophy of bringing the most advanced technologies to general aviation cockpits and budgets, the MFDs will sell for less than $8,000.
“As we did with our PFD product development, we are actively seeking feedback and feature requests from pilots and dealers about what they would like to see in a Multi-Function Display,” said Aspen Avionics President & CEO John Uczekaj. “Market demand for the Evolution PFDs has been strong, and we expect the same enthusiastic response to our MFD products,” said Uczekaj.
The safety benefits of modern hazard awareness systems, such as weather and traffic, are well proven. Aspen plans to deliver an optional upgrade to enable display of datalink weather, lightning and traffic data on the navigation display of its EFD1000 Pro PFD towards the end of 2008. “Aspen is committed to supporting the existing hazard systems pilots already have in their planes, and also to making the most advanced technologies more affordable for the average GA aircraft owner,” said Doug Cayne, Aspen’s VP of Marketing. “Aspen will apply that philosophy to its hazard awareness solutions.”
The next model of Aspen’s EFD1000 Primary Flight Display, the ATP, due in the second half of 2009, will add many MFD features, including sectional-style moving maps and integrated hazard awareness interfaces, to the PFD navigation display. A software option to upgrade the Pro PFD to the ATP model will be available at the same time.
About Aspen Avionics, Inc.
Aspen Avionics specializes in bringing the most advanced technology and capability from the commercial and business aviation markets into general aviation cockpits—and budgets. Our products increase situational awareness and reduce pilot workload, making it even 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. The company can be found on the web at http://www.aspenavionics.com, or may be reached at (505) 856-5034. Print-ready images of the Evolution Flight Display are available at /pressdownloads.