Entegra Release 7 FAQ
What is Release 7?
Release 7 is a significant upgrade which brings WAAS capability to your Entegra Integrated Flight Deck. In addition, Release 7 brings your system up to the latest factory software levels and field-upgradeable hardware modifications.
What is WAAS?
Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) improves the accuracy and integrity of GPS receivers. WAAS improves the satellite signal by analyzing the signals from GPS satellites and comparing them with two ground stations and two geostationary satellites. This helps to provide the system with a correction to compensate for ionosphere disturbances, timing delays, and satellite orbit errors. The system also provides integrity information regarding the status of each GPS satellite. With the added accuracy and integrity, it allows an aircraft upgraded to WAAS to fly GPS approaches with Decision Heights (DH) similar to ILS approaches.
Why should I upgrade to Release 7.0 (R7)?
WAAS is the future of aviation because it will allow pilots to get into more airports with a higher degree of precision. R7 brings WAAS capability to the Entegra Integrated Flight Deck. R7 adds support for GNS430WAAS including integrated annunciations and LPV guidance.
What is the cost to upgrade to Release 7?
The costs to upgrade your Entegra Equipment to R7 is determined by the software level of the EXP5000/EX5000 and the units warranty status. Included below is a chart with the Retail Prices and Introductory Pricing for Entegra/Envision Release 7 upgrade. Introductory pricing is valid for upgrade orders placed by June 30, 2008 and received for upgrade before November 30, 2008. Please note these charges are for Avidyne equipment only and do not include services or labor performed by an Avidyne Authorized Service Center.
| Case |
Retail Cost |
| Single PFD/ Single MFD R7 with R6 |
$3,895 |
| Single PFD/ Single MFD R7 in Warranty or with Flex Warranty |
$3,895 |
| Single PFD/ Single MFD R7 out of Warranty/Flex Warranty or R6 |
$5,395 |
| Dual PFD/ Single MFD R7 with R6 |
$5,395 |
| Dual PFD/ Single MFD R7 out of Warranty/Flex Warranty |
$6,895 |
| MFD Only for R7 (For aircraft w/o PFD) |
$460 |
| Flight Director upgrade (in addition to R7) |
$1,495 |
*Introductory pricing is valid for upgrade orders placed by June 30, 2008 and received for upgrade before November 30, 2008.
Do I need to send both my EXP5000 (PFD) and my EX5000 (MFD) to Avidyne for upgrade?
No, only the PFD is required to be returned to Avidyne’s state of the art Service Facility in Melbourne, Florida for upgrade. The MFD upgrade is field loadable and must be upgraded by an Avidyne Authorized Service Center.
How long will my aircraft be down for the upgrade?
Avidyne R7 has a ten day turn for the EXP5000 (PFD). The turn time begins on the scheduled in date and concludes when the Avidyne Authorized Service Center receives back the PFD. While the PFD is at the new Avidyne Service Facility, Avidyne will upgrade the software to R7. In addition to the software upgrade, Avidyne will also implement a variety of reliability enhancing hardware modifications and conduct a complete functional test of the equipment. Before the unit is able to ship, the PFD must pass six hours of Environmental Stress Screening (ESS). When the unit is completed Avidyne pays for the PFD to be shipped back to your Authorized Avidyne Service Center via UPS NEXT DAY AIR.
I own a Cirrus aircraft do I have to have both Garmin GNS430’s upgraded to WAAS?
It is not required to have both of the GNS430’s upgraded to GNS430W to be compatible with the Entegra Flight Deck. However, by only upgrading one of the Garmin GNS430 to a GNS430W it inhibits the GPS units from communicating with one another. One of the biggest disadvantages of the units not communicating is losing the cross-fill function. Cross-fill allows the pilot to load a flight plan into one GNS430 and have it automatically copy it into the other GNS430.
I own an Entegra Equipped Columbia 400 (Cessna 400) and want to upgrade to WAAS, what are my options?
Cessna of Bend does not have WAAS certification for the airframe. However, Cessna is currently working on the certification and will provide a Service Bulletin when the certification is complete. Cessna does recommend upgrading the all Entegra Equipped Columbia (Cessna) Aircraft to Release 7 prior to the Service Bulletin becoming available.
When can I upgrade my Piper Meridian to Release 7?
As soon as possible! Avidyne is able to upgrade all Piper Aircraft to R7.
Can I upgrade my Garmin GNS430’s prior to upgrading my EXP5000 to R7?
Avidyne equipment prior to R6.2.2 is not compatible with Garmin GNS430W. It is imperative the PFD is upgraded to R7 prior to the GNS430 being upgraded. Although, R6.2.2 is compatible with the Garmin GNS430W it does not bring full WAAS functionality to the PFD. R7 adds support for GNS430W WAAS including integrated annunciations and LPV guidance.
What changes will I see when I upgrade my PFD to R7?
The biggest change you will see is when flying a precision GPS approach. The term GPS will replace the term ILS next to the horizontal deviation indicator (HDI) and vertical deviation indicator (VDI). In addition, Avidyne has upgraded the GPS annunciations to properly advise the pilot of changes to WAAS approaches.
What do I need to do to have my Entegra Integrated Flight Deck upgraded to R7?
Please contact your local Avidyne Service Center for upgrade. The Service Center will work as a liaison to schedule your PFD with Avidyne. It is important to have your PFD and MFD serial numbers available for your Service Center as these are needed to secure a date on the schedule. In addition to the hardware serial numbers Avidyne also will need:
- Provide MFD software level
- Provide PFD software level
- Valid myavidyne.com account
- Aircraft Make/Model and Serial Number
If I have a Garmin 430 WAAS what are the benefits of purchasing the MFD software upgrade if I do not have a PFD?
There is one benefit for the R7 MFD upgrade if you have WAAS enabled GPS’ which is it prevents an incorrect display of parallel tracking on the MFD. Avidyne also added the capability of interfacing to our new MLB700 Broadcast datalink weather system and our new TWX670 Lightning detection system with this software upgrade.
