Avidyne DFC90 & DFC100 Autopilots Now Certified for Piper PA-46 Aircraft

Dec. 19, 2011
It has received TSO and STC approval of the DFC90 autopilot for Entegra-equipped Piper PA-46 Matrix and Mirage aircraft, as well as TSO and STC approval of the DFC100 autopilot for Release 9 (R9)-equipped Piper PA-46 Matrix aircraft.

Lincoln, Mass. – December 19, 2011 -Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, announced today that they have received Technical Standard Order (TSO) and Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval of the DFC90 autopilot for Entegra-equipped Piper PA-46 Matrix and Mirage aircraft, as well as TSO and STC approval of the DFC100 autopilot for Release 9 (R9)-equipped Piper PA-46 Matrix aircraft.

The attitude-based DFC90 is a plug-and-play replacement for the existing rate-based STEC55X autopilot currently used in Entegra-equipped PA-46 Matrix and Mirage aircraft.  The Mirage certification is the first in which the DFC90 is using dual Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Air Data & Attitude Heading Reference System (ADAHRS) inputs. The Matrix has a single-PFD/ADAHRS configuration. 

The DFC100 is a plug-and-play replacement for the existing STEC55X autopilot currently used Piper Matrix aircraft that have been upgraded to Avidyne’s Release 9 integrated flight deck system. The attitude-based DFC100 utilizes both ADAHRS inputs from the R9 system’s dual Integrated Flight Displays (IFDs) for an even higher level of redundancy and safety.

“With thousands of hours on Entegra- and R9-equipped Cirrus aircraft, the DFC90 and DFC100 are already well proven, and customers have continued to be delighted with their performance,” said Patrick Herguth, Avidyne’s Chief Operating Officer. “Now we are expanding the market for these safety-enhancing DFC-Series autopilots to include our PA-46 Matrix and Mirage customers.”

“Matrix and Mirage owners will appreciate the performance and safety improvements that our DFC-Series autopilots bring to their airplane,” said Avidyne President and CEO, Dan Schwinn. “Avidyne is committed to enhancing safety for all of our customers and with providing our loyal Entegra owners with access to this next generation in autopilot technology.”

About DFC90/DFC100

The DFC90 and DFC100 autopilots add the precision and reliability of an attitude-based flight control system, by taking advantage of the single or dual ADAHRS in the Entegra and Release 9 systems.  Both autopilots add Indicated Airspeed Hold (IAS Hold) capability, which is a preferred method for climbing and descending in these higher-performing aircraft.   In addition, the DFC90 and DFC100 provide the safety enhancements of the ‘Straight & Level’ mode, providing one-button unusual attitude recovery, Flight Envelope Protection (EP) and full-time Envelope Alerting (EA).  EP virtually eliminates autopilot-induced stalls (underspeed) and overspeeds, while EA protects against flight envelope exceedences by providing aural warnings to the pilot, even when the autopilot is not engaged.

The DFC100 is now approved for R9-equipped the Cirrus SR20/SR22 and Piper PA-46 Matrix.

The DFC90 is now approved for Entegra-equipped the Cirrus SR20/22 and Piper PA-46 Matrix and Mirage. Avidyne has previously announced plans to interface the DFC90 with the Aspen EFD1000 Pro Series flight displays, with initial certifications in Cessna 182 and Beech Baron/Bonanza aircraft expected in 2012.

Pricing & Availability

DFC90/Entegra Upgrade Pricing for Matrix

For Piper PA-46 Matrix owners (with single Entegra PFD), the DFC90 is $9,995, plus $3,895 to upgrade the Entegra PFD to Release 8.0.5 software via Avidyne’s standard exchange service. 

DFC90/Entegra Upgrade Pricing for Mirage

For Piper PA-46 Mirage owners (with dual Entegra PFDs), the DFC90 is $9,995, plus $6,895 to upgrade the two PFDs to Release 8.0.5 software via Avidyne’s standard exchange service.

DFC100/R9 Upgrade Pricing for R9 Matrix

For existing R9 Matrix owners, the DFC100 price is $14,995 including v9.2.4 software upgrades for the dual IFD5000s.  The IFD5000s can be updated via the front-mounted USB ports with field-loadable software.

For additional information or to schedule your upgrade, please contact Reid Antonacchio at (239) 249-0414, or contact your Avidyne Authorized Dealer.

Pricing does not include cost of shipping or the cost of any parts or labor for software upgrade and to add required relay and Flap Sensing input. STEC55X unit must be returned to Avidyne.

About Avidyne Corporation (http://www.avidyne.com/)
Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and its Flying Made Simple™ system design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company offers a full line of panel-mounted avionics including their new IFD540 FMS/GPS/NAV/COM, AMX240 audio panel, AXP340 Mode S Transponder, and DFC90 digital flight control systems.  Avidyne’s product line also includes the industry-leading Entegra integrated flight deck  with DFC100 digital flight control system, datalink-capable EX600 multi-function displays, the dual-antenna TAS600 series of active traffic advisory systems with ADS-B, the MLB700 broadcast datalink receiver, the MLX770 world-wide datalink transceiver, and the TWX670 Tactical Weather Detection system. Headquartered in Lincoln, MA, the company has facilities in Westerville (Columbus), OH, Melbourne, FL, and Boulder, CO.