Oshkosh, WI, July 27, 2010: Aspen Avionics, Inc., manufacturer of innovative flight display solutions, and Seattle Avionics Software, an industry leading aviation software developer and data provider, announced today that geo-referencing – the display of the aircraft’s relative position on navigation charts – is now available on all instrument approach procedures and airport diagrams displayed on Aspen’s EFD1000 and EFD500 Multi-function Flight Display (MFD) products. Aspen is the first avionics manufacturer to offer a certified geo-referenced AeroNav (formerly NACO) chart solution. The new geo-referencing capability is available with no activation fee or additional charges for Aspen customers.
Aspen MFDs feature the full Seattle Avionics ChartDataTM library developed from the AeroNav U.S. Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) charts, Departure Procedure charts, Standard Terminal Arrival Route charts, and airport diagrams. Seattle Avionics transforms the government charts using proprietary algorithms to produce the geo-referenced chart database. Aspen partnered with Seattle Avionics to bring this geo-referenced ChartData to the certified Evolution Flight Display System, giving pilots another tool for enhanced situational awareness while in the air. Unique to the Evolution system is the ability to simultaneously view the approach chart and GPS flight plan data without needing to switch between different MFD pages, further improving pilot situational awareness and reducing cockpit workload.
“This joint development for the additional ChartData functionality is significant in that it realizes a common goal for Aspen and Seattle Avionics – to bring affordable technology to the general aviation community,” says Aspen’s Vice President of Marketing, Brad Hayden. “No other certified avionics manufacturer offers this level of functionality at this price point.”
“We are pleased to have worked with Aspen to develop the world’s first FAA certified geo-referenced aviation charts derived from the AeroNav procedures,” says Steve Podradchik, CEO of Seattle Avionics Software. “By combining our ChartData with the powerful display capabilities of Aspen Evolution MFDs, pilots can now see their aircraft position overlaid on the chart while flying an approach or while taxiing on the ground – all at an extremely affordable price.”
The Geo-referenced Charts and Airport Diagrams software comes standard on all Aspen MFDs. ChartData subscription updates are available from Seattle Avionics Software. One-time updates cost $99, and annual subscriptions cost $299. Seattle Avionics Software is offering 90 days of ChartData updates (enough for three 28-day cycle updates) at no charge to Aspen customers. To activate the ChartData subscription, new customers simply set up a free account at the Seattle Avionics Software website: www.seattleavionics.com/aspen.Existing Aspen customers will automatically receive the new geo-referenced chart feature in the July 28th Aspen ChartData update from Seattle Avionics Software.
About Aspen Avionics, Inc.
Aspen Avionics specializes in bringing the most advanced technology and capability from the commercial and business aviation markets into general aviation cockpits—and budgets. Our products increase situational awareness and reduce pilot workload, making it even easier and safer to fly in both VFR and IFR conditions. The way we look at it, getting the latest avionics technology shouldn’t always mean spending a lot of money—on equipment or installation. At Aspen Avionics, we design products to be affordable, easy to install, and easy to own.
About the Evolution Flight Display System
The Aspen Evolution Flight Display System is an affordable, expandable and upgradable PFD, MFD and hazard sensor cockpit solution for general aviation aircraft. Highly compatible with existing aircraft avionics, the flexible Evolution Flight Display System lets aircraft owners install all Evolution Flight Displays and options at once, or separately, as their needs and budgets permit.
