Lincoln, MA. – January 15, 2013 – Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated avionics and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, announced today they have received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval of the DFC90 Digital Autopilot in European-registered Cessna 182-series aircraft, when interfaced with the Evolution Pro Primary Flight Display (PFD) from Aspen Avionics of Albuquerque.
This EASA STC covers the DFC90 autopilot as a plug-and-play retrofit of existing STEC55X systems in 16 models of the Cessna 182 Skylane Series including the 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, R182N, 182P, 182Q, 182R, 182S, 182T, and the R182. STEC30/50/60-2/65 series autopilots may also be replaced by a DFC90 under this STC.
“We are pleased to have EASA approval of the DFC90 for the C182,” said Patrick Herguth, Avidyne’s Chief Operating Officer. “The DFC90 has garnered rave reviews across the industry, and owners of European-registered aircraft have been looking forward to gaining access for its performance and safety features like Envelope Protection, full-time Envelope Alerting, the Straight and Level button.”
“Avidyne is focused on bringing safety- and performance-enhancing technology to more aircraft, and this EASA certification moves us another step in that direction,” said Dan Schwinn, Avidyne’s President and CEO.
About DFC90
The DFC90 is a full-featured attitude-based digital autopilot that adds significant performance and safety benefits including Airspeed Hold (IAS), Envelope Protection (EP™), and full-time Envelope Alerting (EA™), as well as one-button Straight & Level capability. The DFC90 was designed as a plug-and-play replacement for existing STEC55X autopilot systems, and can use the existing 55X mounting tray, servos and much of the wiring, which dramatically reduces installation costs. While not fully plug and play, STEC30/50/60-2/65 series autopilots may also be replaced by a DFC90 under this STC, making use of existing STEC servos and brackets. Avidyne has also announced plans to certify their own ASA575 servos, which will be available in 2013, allowing C182s (and other aircraft) without existing STEC autopilots to also be upgraded with the DFC90.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing for the DFC90 autopilot starts at $9,995 plus installation for single-engine piston aircraft, including the Cessna 182 series. Pricing assumes the aircraft has compatible STEC autopilot servos installed.
About Avidyne Corporation (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 and IFD440 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 Release 9 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 Columbus, OH, Melbourne, FL, and Boulder, CO.
