Avidyne Helios ‘multi-function FMS’ is designed to meet the rigorous demands of rotorcraft operators for corporate, military and special-mission operations, TSO approval clears the way for MROs to begin field-approved installations and STC programs.

 

Melbourne, Florida – May 18, 2021–– Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics systems, displays, and safety systems for general aviation, business aircraft, and helicopters, announced receipt of Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for their dzus-mounted Avidyne Helios™ multifunction flight management system (FMS) for Helicopters.

“Avidyne Helios provides huge benefits for many helicopter operators and getting TSO approval is just the next step for Avidyne as we continue our growth into the turbine-class helicopter market,” said Avidyne CEO Dan Schwinn.

“Avidyne Helios gives our customers a powerful new option when upgrading their GPS/FMS navigation capabilities, especially for single- and twin-turbine-class helicopter operators with older-generation EFIS displays where options have been limited,” said John Talmadge, Avidyne’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales.  “This TSO approval allows MRO facilities to begin their own Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) programs and field-approved installations into rotor-wing aircraft.”

 

About Avidyne Helios™

The Avidyne Helios is a dzus-mount flight management system that meets TSO-C146c for full SBAS/LPV approach guidance, and is an approved GPS position source for ADS-B.  Avidyne Helios features easy-to-use flight planning, one-touch departure, airway, and arrival navigation, and Avidyne’s patented GeoFill™ waypoint nomination.  Avidyne Helios features a full QWERTY-style dedicated keyboard along with touch-screen hybrid touch user interface that provides easy map panning and flight plan editing.  Its extensive I/O is designed to integrate with existing equipment in the aircraft including a long list of EFIS, PFDs, CDIs, HSIs, remote sensors, and autopilots, and it is also an approved ADS-B GPS position source with numerous transponders.  Avidyne’s GPS Legacy Avionics Support (GLAS™) provides a direct interface to legacy Collins Proline 21 and Honeywell Primus EFIS systems for vertical guidance during approach operations. This unique integration capability enables EFISs certified before the availability of LPV approaches to have coupled approach guidance on these and other SBAS approaches.

 

The Avidyne Helios boasts a variety of features not found in any other FMS system, such as:

  • Hybrid touch-screen user interface incorporating a full set of buttons and knobs as well as touch screen operation for virtually all functions.
  • Moving map with extensive airspace, terrain, navaid, and airport display capability
  • Display of XM or ADS-B weather with full graphics as an overlay on the map
  • Traffic display from TCAS, TAS, or ADS-B
  • Display of Jeppesen™ Electronic Approach Charts and Airport Diagrams including Heliports.
  • Integrated WiFi & Bluetooth connectivity
  • Avidyne GLAS™ technology
  • Integration with ForeFlight® and a host of other third-party EFB Apps
  • Spill-proof keyboard and built-in USB charger
  • Optional NVIS compatibility
  • Optional integrated 16-Watt VHF COM, VOR, localizer and glide slope radio
  • Optional radar display for Bendix King digital radars
  • Optional integrated HTAWS with Power Line Database
  • Optional RS-170 video display capability

 

The self-contained unit is 7.5” tall, 5.75” wide, and 10.615” deep and is form-factor compatible with a host of legacy FMS systems.

 

For more information please visit: www.avidyne.com.

 

Pricing &Availability

Introductory pricing on Avidyne Helios™ starts at $23,999.  Helios with optional 16-watt VHF COM/NAV/ILS is $29,999.  Contact Avidyne for pricing of additional options, including HTAWS, NVIZ, Radar, Video, GLAS, and Gray Bezel.

 

About Avidyne Corporation (www.avidyne.com)
Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and product design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of avionics systems including dzus-mounted Atlas™ and Helios™ FMS systems, the panel-mounted IFD-Series FMS/ GPS/ NAV/ COMs, AMX240 audio panel, and DFC90 digital flight control systems. With a complete range of SkyTrax ADS-B solutions and SkyTrax600 ADS-B/Active Traffic systems, Avidyne provides complete support for the worldwide NextGen ATC surveillance upgrade. Headquartered in Melbourne, FL, the company has additional facilities in Columbus, OH, and Concord, MA.

 

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By: Jorge Hernandez

Every so often a project comes around that truly takes your breath away.  Most recently, it was the modernization of a 2004 Pilatus PC-12/45 cockpit.

You should know the Pilatus PC-12 is one of my favorite airplanes.  It offers operators the best of both worlds; best-in-class performance and great style.  From the NGX to special mission configurations flying over dangerous regions, I have seen this airplane perform the unimaginable and do it without a care.

With that kind of mission versatility, why shouldn’t the avionics capabilities be on par with the aircraft itself? Why settle for anything less than superior if you are operating a Pilatus PC-12?

When I saw the finished product for the first time, it was love at first sight.  The modernization included a complete Avidyne CNS suite that truly delivers, providing a feature rich upgrade that is not just highly capable and stylish, but also makes the most of the aircraft’s performance capability all in a single package.

First, you must lose the (irrelevant) weight.

PC-12 Original Configuration

When you consider how much the avionics industry has changed over the last two decades you will quickly notice that when it comes to modern day avionics, less is more. Avionic integration is the answer.  Operators prefer highly sanitized panels with an efficient use of space.   Let’s take a look at the Pilatus PC-12/45 project completed by Servicio Aereos Montre S.A. de C.V out of Monterrey, Mexico.

Prior to the upgrade, this aircraft was basically factory standard.  It was equipped with a KMA24H audio panel, KMD540 multi-function display, KLN90B global positioning system, KX165A NAV/COM, GNS XLS flight management system and dual panel mounted GTX330D transponders. For VHF NAV, interact here, for FMS planning interact there, “IDENT 1234”, interact elsewhere. That is six pieces of factory-issued equipment a crew must master to maximize efficiency, not to mention a lot of weight.

Less is definitely more (and more capable).

After project completion, the aircraft’s new and much improved flight deck boasts a dual IFDs (IFD550, IFD540) installation as the FMS/GPS/NAV/COM system, an AMX240 audio panel and dual AXP322 ADS-B Out remote-mount transponders. All situational awareness equipment on the aircraft like the Storm Scope, Radar, and the Traffic Advisory System (TAS) were all integrated into the dual IFD5-Series.

The aircraft flew away not only with big weight savings and a sleeker panel, but with all safety enhancing information accessible on the dual IFDs.  When paired with the Forward Looking Terrain Alerting (FLTA), a feature of the IFD which, by the way, is standard, one could argue that the IFD is serving as more than just an FMS/GPS/NAV/COM. The IFD also provides Multi-Function Display (MFD) functionality which is significantly enhanced when integrated wirelessly with the IFD100 App for IPad®.

The crew now has transponder control, radar control and display with map overlay, Storm Scope display, traffic display, FMS planning, WAAS GPS navigation, VHF communication, VHF navigation, Geo-Referenced Jeppesen Chart Display and terrain alerting all in one system, the IFD 5-Series flight management system. This, in my opinion, makes the Avidyne 5-Series IFD the logical fit for the ever so capable and elegant PC-12/45.

Additional possibilities with big benefits.

The Avidyne IFD5-Series was designed as a slide-in replacement for GNS530 GPS navigators.  With some Pilatus PC-12/45 aircraft having old GNS navigators currently installed, this is a simple but necessary upgrade.  The IFD slides into the same tray and interfaces with the same connectors currently used by the GNS530.   To take complete advantage of the all the features the IFD has to offer (not currently available on the now obsolete GNS), the installer will need to add some additional wiring and interfaces.   In some cases, the only action required is replacing the GPS antenna for a WAAS TSO-C190 compliant antenna to allow the new FMS to take advantage of navigation with Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) GPS accuracy and adding features such as Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) GPS Approaches.

The benefits do not end at ease of install, weight reduction, consolidation, and cost savings. With the addition of the IFD Series, Pilatus operators can get the most of their existing avionics and give their flying experience an additional enhancement with wireless integration of the IFD100 Application and full bi-directional Foreflight connectivity. Just imagine having your primary source of navigation and situational awareness on a 12″ iPad screen with 100% interactivity and, best of all, for no additional cost.  It’s true.

I believe the Avidyne avionic suite is going to find its way into more Pilatus PC-12/45 cockpits as it is simply the best fit for this platform.  In my opinion, it resonates with the performance and elegance of the PC-12/45 on all fronts.

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Learn more about Avidyne’s avionic retrofit solutions for the Pilatus PC-12.

DOWNLOAD PC-12 PACKAGES

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Avidyne IFD100 App can now run at the same time and share data with other iPad apps that support multi-tasking, including ForeFlight and SkyDemon.

Melbourne, Florida  – November 5, 2020–– Avidyne Corporation has announced that their IFD100 iPad App–a companion app that connects wirelessly with their panel-mounted IFD series of FMS/GPS/NAV/COM systems–now supports multi-tasking capability, which enables the IFD100 app to run and share data on the same split screen along with ForeFlight® or other third-party apps.

 

“The IFD100 app provides another instance of IFD in the cockpit, giving our customers a unique, large-screen display and remote-control of their panel-mounted IFD,” said John Talmadge, Avidyne’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales. “With this latest version, the IFD100 App can now be displayed on a split screen with other Apps that support multitasking, including the industry-leading ForeFlight App,  as well as SkyDemon in Europe, allowing pilots even greater utility and more capabilities.”

 

SkyDemon/IFD100 Multi-tasking

SkyDemon/IFD100 Multi-tasking

 

A video showing the new IFD100 software running on split screen with ForeFlight is available at: https://youtu.be/U15M4gOjrrY

 

The new IFD100 App version 10.2.9 is free of charge for IFD owners,  and is available now from the Apple App Store.  The IFD100 connects wirelessly to any of Avidyne’s IFD Series FMS/GPS systems, including the IFD550, IFD540, IFD440, IFD545, IFD510, and IFD410.

 

About Avidyne Corporation (www.avidyne.com)
Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and product design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of avionics systems including the recently-announced dzus-mounted ATLAS™ and HELIOS™ Multifunction Flight Management Systems, the panel-mounted IFD-Series FMS/ GPS/ NAV/ COMs, AMX240 audio panel, DFC90 digital flight control systems, and a complete range of SkyTrax ADS-B solutions, including the AXP322 and AXP340 Mode S ADS-B Transponders, SkyTrax100B receivers, and SkyTrax600 ADS-B & Active Traffic systems. Headquartered in Melbourne, FL, the company has additional facilities in Westerville, OH, and Concord, MA.

 

Be honest — Are you one of those pilots who does a TON of research before making avionics upgrade decisions?

Us too.

Why?

Is it because we have nothing but time on our hands?

Not even close.

It’s because we demand our planes be top-of-the-line so that our flying experiences are the things dreams are made of. We believe time in the sky is personal and for making memories that last — NOT fumbling with outdated or clunky instruments that require a manual for what should be simple, “on-the-fly” adjustments.

So instead of complaining about how there “ought to be” a single, handy resource to help Garmin GNS-toting pilots to do their research about Avidyne’s IFD upgrade options… We decided to share our Top 10, not-so-secret, benefits of the Avidyne IFD, of which thousands of former GNS pilots are benefiting from, as we speak. Just be sure to stick around till the end (of the list) because we saved the best for last.

Ready?

Let’s dig in:

#10: The Forefront of Modern Technology

Upgrading to technology that’s at the leading edge of the industry feels almost as good as putting on a fresh pair of socks after cleaning up from a long day’s work. And the sense of pride that comes from knowing you’ve got the best instruments possible just cannot be replicated. The IFD series is a true FMS/GPS/NAV/COM that has a track record of leading from the front with the latest advancements that are both easy to use AND worth telling your friends about. You know you’re on the right track when the competition is always playing “catch-up.”

See the latest advancements in our recorded webinar

Let’s take a look at these advancements in more detail….

#9: The Ultimate User Experience

Touch screens can be nice… but what about when things get “choppy?” No pilot wants to be “fat-fingering” flight plan updates because a little turbulence is making it near impossible to quickly navigate the touch screen. Good news? The IFD series offers the best of both worlds with its Hybrid Touch design, giving pilots the option to choose between full touch screen or manual knobs and buttons (or a healthy combination of the two).

With the IFDs you also don’t have to worry about memorizing where different settings or functions are hiding, because there are ZERO nested menu pages. Every screen can be easily accessed with just one or two clicks. No more feeling lost mid-flight or wasting time doing a refresher before take-off.

Instead, you control every step of the process with an intuitive interface that sends “guesswork” to the grave.

And we know exactly how important that is because we don’t just “talk the talk”…

Learn more about Avidyne’s Hybrid Touch Design

#8: By Pilots, for Pilots

Everything here at Avidyne is built by pilots, for pilots. The cockpit is our “home away from home” and we’ve designed the IFD series to make that home second-to-none.

Being actual pilots means we understand the features and capabilities that truly matter to, well… Pilots. It also means we’re constantly comparing notes with other real pilots to stay sharp… with our finger constantly “on the pulse” of the industry (which is infinitely more powerful than asking canned questions in a randomized survey). 

An outsider simply will not be able to imitate the insights that come from thousands of flight hours and a steady stream of real-life pilot community feedback.

This also means we know the value of being able to get up-and-running with new instruments in a hurry, and why we designed the IFDs to be “frustration-free.”

#7: Flatten the (Learning) Curve

Avidyne’s IFD series is specifically designed to enable a smooth-as-silk transition from GNS. We even describe the IFD design as being “success oriented” with easy-to-use elements that should be obvious, but are sometimes missed by other manufacturers.

Including simple things like:

  • large fonts and plain English display options
  • An insert cursor that makes it obvious where you are entering a waypoint
  • Station ID readout for active AND standby COM frequencies
  • No un-labeled pages
  • No unfamiliar icons to memorize

Learn more about our IFD’s by clicking here

There’s also the free IFD Trainer App that helps you further flatten the learning curve even before install. Imagine being able to take your IFD unit-of-choice for a “test flight” from the comfort of your couch.

Because that’s exactly what the IFD Trainer App (plus our library of detailed training videos) is for: Making you look and feel like a “whiz” from the second your install is complete, through your first IFD-powered flight, and beyond.

No matter what the weather, traffic, or visibility.

#6: Eyes in the Sky: Synthetic Vision

Speaking of visibility, our #6 spot was claimed by IFD’s Synthetic Vision capabilities. Simply put: there is nothing else like it for a GPS product. If you haven’t experienced it yet (“Hello, IFD Trainer App!”), our Synthetic Vision display gives you an amazingly detailed (and color-coded) 3D view of nearby traffic, terrain, obstacles, airports, navaids… You name it, it’s there. All in an exocentric view, showing your aircraft flying through the air as if you were watching it from afar. You’ll even find Terrain Awareness and Forward-Looking Terrain Alerting (FLTA) functionality that highlights the most potentially dangerous terrain features in yellow or red, and provides aural alerts for an added measure of safety.

Furthermore, the IFD550 offers an “out-the-window” egocentric view using Synthetic Vision with Pitch & Roll Sensing. This serves as an additional attitude reference display and if you have a legacy aircraft, it gives you a big boost in redundancy and safety.

See what we mean? There’s nothing like it! To learn more about this exciting technology, click here.

Being able to navigate congested skies during limited visibility with the kind of cool confidence that gets the job done AND puts passengers at ease is the sort of thing heroes are made of. We’re proud to say Synthetic Vision comes standard on every model in the IFD series.

On to #5:

#5: No “Holds” Barred

So what if you’re flying along and ATC says you need to be in a holding pattern?

As pilots, the last thing we want is to be scrambling and sorting through screen after screen just to enter a Hold mid-flight. Or worse: Having to dig out the manual and feel unprepared and amateurish as we flip through physical pages.

With the IFD, you don’t have to worry about ANY of that.

In #9 (above), we mentioned every screen can be accessed in just one or two clicks. Well, Holds are no exception. In what feels like no time at all, you’ll be adding the Hold to your flight plan (Random or Published Holds), and the intuitive interface lets you quickly select and customize the length (minutes or nautical miles), direction, and turns (right or left).

The whole process is such a breeze that we have to warn you: Don’t be surprised to find yourself letting out a quiet “thank you” once you realize how smooth it went, and that you get to enjoy some “bonus” stress-free time in the sky. Watch as Baron Pilot demos unpublished holds in flight. 

Next up… #4.

#4: Intelligent GeoFill

Ready to save time again? Because IFD’s GeoFill feature reduces data entry by as much as 75%.

(That’s not a typo.)

The unique, patented algorithm developed by Avidyne, empowers the IFD Series to search for waypoints geographically rather than alphabetically so you rarely have to spell out an entire waypoint. Typically within 1 or 2 letters the IFD will accurately “nominate” the rest of the waypoint name for you.

It’s so intelligent, you’ll sometimes find your desired waypoint as soon as you push ENTER. To learn more about GeoFill and other exciting IFD Series features, click here to watch our video.

Talk about easy flight plan entry — What a relief!

#3: Unbeatable Warranty

Welcome to the TOP 3!

With such a critical upgrade, we as pilots strive to do all we can to ensure our FMS/GPS/NAV/COM upgrade decision is the right one for us and our plane. And a key factor in that decision is how well the instruments will be supported and covered by the manufacturer over the long run. None of us wants to be grounded due to defunct avionics that died and went to overpriced paperweight heaven (because an expired shorter-term warranty led to big out-of-pocket costs… or our current model was suddenly labeled “obsolete”).

That said, you’ll be ecstatic to hear that Avidyne IFDs come with up to 4 FULL YEARS of warranty coverage for FREE*. Which begs the question: How do you guarantee you’ll get the full four years?

Easy.

  • The First year of coverage is instant. No questions asked or actions required.
  • The Second year of coverage simply requires the product be registered on the website.
  • Years three and four are activated with a free AeroPlan Registration (*just sign the T&C and Indemnification).

Then (get this), for as long as you own your Avidyne products, you can continue to purchase warranty extensions beyond the four free years of coverage. So (if you choose) you can keep your IFD devices covered under warranty no matter how long you have them.

This is the kind of impressive warranty package that leaves pilots beaming with confidence in their upgrade decision because they know the equipment is covered AND the cost of ownership becomes very predictable from that point forward.

#2: Practically BOGO

Here at #2 is a tool that serves as a true “force multiplier.”

The IFD100 iPad App is exclusive from Avidyne, but (unlike the Trainer App) the IFD100 provides you with an entirely separate (and extra) instance of IFD in the cockpit via your iPad.

IFD100 gives you a Big Glass IFD in addition to the IFD device you had purchased. They operate and function separately so each device can have completely separate screens displayed at the same time. And yes, with the IFD100 App you can edit your flight plan, go Direct To, enter frequencies, and even monitor different IFD functions, including ADS-B weather and traffic.

Best part? IFD100 is FREE with any Avidyne IFD purchase. Possibly the best BOGO deal out there.

Discover how the IFD100 enhances your navigation experience

And now… it’s time to reveal the #1 benefit when upgrading from Garmin GNS to Avidyne IFD.

Drumroll, please…

#1: Effortless Glory

Topping the list today is IFD’s extremely convenient direct replacement technology for GNS units. And it’s just like it sounds: The “slide-in replacement” compatibility means IFD uses the exact same connector, tray, and wiring as your existing legacy GNS… Almost eliminating install time and expense.

(Something that is not available with any other upgrade options.)

This is the fastest and easiest route to take your GNS-equipped plane from behind-the-technical-times to leading from the front. Every single advantage and upgrade feature mentioned on this list can be yours in under an hour. It’s just that easy.

And it was designed that way intentionally.

With you, the pilot, in mind.

When everything’s up and running this fast, you (and your fellow pilots) will know you made the right upgrade decision.

Now, like we said at the beginning of this resource, we pride ourselves on being effective researchers, especially when it comes to avionics upgrades. And if you do, too, this list may have only scratched the surface for your analysis.

If you would like to dig into the nitty-gritty of what the IFD Series offers, please check out our recorded webinar by clicking the link below. 

The best decision is an informed decision, so click here to learn more about the IFD Series from Avidyne.

Avidyne’s SkyTrax 600 Series TAS systems combine the safety benefits of active-surveillance traffic detection and alerting with the increased precision and accuracy of ADS-B IN

Melbourne, FL – Monday, October 15, 2018 – 

Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, today announced that they have received FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) C147 approval and a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)  for their SkyTrax 600 Series Active-Surveillance Traffic Advisory Systems (TAS) with ADS-B IN.

With the addition of ADS-B IN, the TAS600 Series is being rebranded as the SkyTrax600 series, extending Avidyne’s line of SkyTrax ADS-B products.

Avidyne’s SkyTrax600 Series includes the SkyTrax 600, the SkyTrax 605, the SkyTrax 615 and the SkyTrax 620.  Each of these active-surveillance TAS/ADS-B systems correlates all the traffic information—derived from the active interrogation of nearby transponder-equipped aircraft, along with the direct reception of 1090MHz position reports from participating ADS-B aircraft, plus the data received from ground-based re-broadcast (ADS-R and TIS-B) targets—to present pilots with the most accurate depiction of potentially conflicting aircraft.

“SkyTrax600 systems seamlessly correlate and accurately present to the pilot all of the active and ADS-B traffic information received, providing even more precise level of situational awareness and safety,” said Avidyne CEO, Dan Schwinn.  “TAS and ADS-B are important components in our product portfolio as we continue to grow our SkyTrax line.”

Pricing and Availability

The SkyTrax600 ($9,999) has a 7nm ADS-B range and is recommended for light general aviation aircraft.

The SkyTrax605 ($11,099) has 21nm ADS-B range and is recommended for mid-performance aircraft and helicopters.

The SkyTrax615 ($14,999) has 30nm ADS-B range and is recommended for high-performance aircraft and helicopters.

The top-of the line SkyTrax620 has 40nm ADS-B range and is priced at $20,999.  Pricing includes install kits and dual antennas.

New SkyTrax systems and SkyTrax upgrades for existing TAS600/9900BX TAS units are available now.

Avidyne has sold well over 15,000 TAS systems, and all of their existing TAS600 Series and 9900BX customers can upgrade their TAS systems to SkyTrax600 capabilities starting at $5,000 MSRP.  SkyTrax upgrade time and cost will vary based on the hardware vintage and configuration of the existing TAS system.

Contact Avidyne or any Authorized Avidyne Dealer for more details and to schedule your upgrade. Pricing does not include installation or other upgrade labor costs.

For High Resolution images please visit: https://www.avidyne.com/news/media.asp