Aspen Avionics Announces TSO Approval for Evolution Synthetic Vision

Albuquerque, NM, September 1, 2011: Aspen Avionics announced today the Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval of Evolution Synthetic Vision (ESV) for Evolution Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) and Multi-function Flight Displays (MFDs). Evolution Synthetic Vision is enabled by Software Version 2.4.x, which will be available upon Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval. FAA STC approval of ESV is imminent and shipment availability is expected to be mid-September 2011.

This field-loadable software upgrade is now available through Aspen’s authorized dealer network for $2995, which for a limited time includes ESV on up to two additional Aspen displays when purchased for the first display (up to three displays per aircraft).

“Aspen’s industry-leading high-resolution display renders a crisp, clear, easy-to-read synthetic vision view that works very well with our display format. Customers who fly with Evolution Synthetic Vision will be impressed by the wealth of information that can be interpreted at a glance,” says Brad Hayden, Aspen’s Vice President of Marketing. He adds, “Like the entire Evolution system, Aspen’s synthetic vision provides a level of flexibility not found in competing offerings.”

Evolution Synthetic Vision includes all of the features aircraft operators expect of synthetic vision systems, including 3D terrain and obstacles, unusual attitude guidance, distance line and range marker, 3D dynamic traffic display (with optionalsensors and EHA software), flight path marker and flight director symbology. These display elements are all designed to interact dynamically and intuitively to give the pilot the most accurate positional and situational awareness.

“Aspen’s ESV will give our customer’s additional enhanced awareness,” says John Uczekaj, Aspen’s President and CEO. “The Terrain Warning System and 3D traffic are invaluable tools to the pilot operating in congested terminal airspaces, reduced visibility conditions, or in mountainous terrain. Aspen’s ESV is yet another technology our company has developed to help make General Aviation flying easier and safer at an affordable price.”

Unique to Evolution Synthetic Vision is the ability to customize the display layout to suit individual preferences, including the flexibility to toggle different fields of view between narrow or wide, to best suit the phase of flight. The wide field of view is suited for enroute, while the narrow field of view is best for zooming in on the approach environment. Evolution Synthetic Vision can also be displayed in any of the available window configurations — full screen, split screen, or thumbnail layouts — and on the Primary Flight Display, the Multi-function Flight Display, or both.

Another significant capability provided with Aspen’s ESV is a built-in Terrain Warning System (TWS). Combining the use of synthetic vision terrain coloring, flight path marker coloring, caution and warning text annunciations, and a cockpit terrain audio warning signal, the Terrain Warning System alerts the pilot when terrain or obstacle conflict is imminent. For operations in the terminal area, the TWS employs intelligent alerting logic that suppresses alerts for terrain proximity that is expected and normal during this phase of flight, minimizing nuisance alerting and further increasing safety and reducing pilot workload during critical phases of flight.