Avionics manufacturer Avidyne announced a new suite of avionics this week aimed at upgrading GA cockpits.
Called Avidyne Vantage, the new avionics are being released as a retrofit to replace ageing Avidyne systems that have been in use for many years.
“We are incredibly excited to introduce Vantage as an innovative option for GA pilots seeking to update their flight decks,” said Avidyne President, Dan Schwinn. “We’ve challenged ourselves to provide large displays that are even easier to use than our earlier products, while being more capable and functional than anything we have done before.
"Eventually the Avidyne Vantage product line will include a wide range of display sizes and levels of functionality, and certification across a wide range of aircraft and associated legacy equipment. Vantage provides pilots with an uncluttered interface and beautiful design with powerful capabilities that dramatically enhance situational awareness and make flying safer and more enjoyable.”
Avidyne will launch the Vantage system firstly as an upgrade for Entegra-equipped Cirrus, of which there are thought to be around 4000 aircraft of the 2002-2008 vintage.
“Cirrus owners upgrading to Vantage will enjoy the only option available for 12-inch touchscreen displays for any Cirrus, and will include Avidyne’s unique hybrid touch interface and tight integration with Avidyne IFD-series navigators and DFC autopilot," said John Talmadge, Avidyne’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales.
"They’ll also appreciate the upgrade from 10- to 12-inch size and higher resolution XGA displays, standard synthetic vision capability, and well as dual AHRS with MFD reversion and split-screen capability.”
Avidyne says the Vantage PFD for the Cirrus is similar to the Entegra system, meaning there will be little transition training needed between the two. The Vantage MFD offers full and split screen displays of maps and flight plans, Jeppesen approach charts and airport diagrams, multiple user configurations, checklists, and shares much of the same interface as IFD550/540/440 systems.
Avidyne Vantage upgrades are scheduled to be available next year and will be priced at $US12,500 per screen.
More information is on the Avidyne website.