This initial AML includes almost 60 % of Class I and II airplanes (those under 6,000 pounds).  We wanted the initial AML in place before the end of March to support most customer installations scheduled for April, and got as many into this first list as we could by this date.  And we are continuing to add more rapidly. 

The initial AML does not yet include those airplanes with Vne greater than 210 KIAS, and does not include conventional gear (tail dragger) airplanes.  We are continuing work to add these remaining Class I & II airplanes within the next couple of months, during which time we will also add FAA approval of the equipment interfaces needed to support the Century and ARC line of autopilots.  As we’ve told you previously, Class III airplanes (>6,000 pounds) will require even more certification work, which we plan to address later in 2008. 

High Performance Twins and Singles:

Several high performance singles and twins are not included in the initial AML due to a 210 KIAS operational limitation in the Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (AFMS).  This limit was established by the FAA based on what we could demonstrate in our primary flight-test airplane, a Piper Turbo Lance, during our FAA STC flights. We do not anticipate any performance problems at higher speeds.

For those aircraft with Vne of 211 KIAS and above, The EFD1000 can not yet be installed.  This includes most Barons, the Cessna 310, PA-23-235, PA-23-250, PA-24-400, PA-46-500, etc..  We will expand the speed limitation out to 260 KIAS during April and May, which will enable all but the rarest of high performance aircraft to benefit from an EFD installation. 

There is no way to gain FAA approval of an installation into an aircraft with a Vne of 211 KIAS or higher until we finish this work.

Conventional Gear Aircraft (i.e. tail draggers):

We didn’t include tail draggers in the initial AML because the FAA requested that we perform additional demonstrations for these types of airplanes, and we didn’t complete those demonstrations in time to globally add conventional gear aircraft to the AML.  We are now complete with our demonstrations, and we are currently working on completing the work necessary to add tail draggers to the AML.  We expect that this work will be complete within the next 30-60 days.

Until we add these aircraft to the AML, field approvals of our system may be possible using the AML-STC as the basis of a follow on approval.  If an owner or dealer wishes to pursue this field approval option prior to tail draggers being added to the AML, please have the dealer contact Aspen Avionics to help with that effort. 

Airplanes over 6000 lbs and multi turbine aircraft of any weight:

These are Class III aircraft (as defined by AC23.1309), and are not included in the AML due to additional certification requirements associated with these classes of aircraft.  Class III includes most of the heavier twins (and many “limited” TC war birds, i.e. not certificated as Experimental category). Aspen must complete additional certification work before we can add these aircraft to the EFD1000 AML-STC certification.  Our target is to complete this work during 2008.

Read the EFD1000 AML STC [PDF]

Albuquerque, NM, March 28, 2008: Aspen Avionics today received from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) its Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate (AML-STC) for the EFD1000 Primary Flight Display (PFD). This certification, combined with the TSO (Technical Standard Order) certification granted to the company two weeks ago, authorizes installation of Aspen’s Evolution PFD in almost 400 airplane makes and models.

Coming before the end of March 2008, this AML-STC enables Aspen Avionics to start shipping, and its dealers to start installing, Evolution Flight Display systems by March 31st, fulfilling the company’s promise to its customers.

Today’s AML encompasses nearly 400 individual aircraft models representing the majority of single-engine airplanes in the general aviation fleet, and all of its most popular models.  Aspen is continuing to work with the FAA to expand this initial AML to add most remaining Class I and Class II airplanes (those under 6,000 pounds) over the next few months.

“The Evolution PFD is the first practical and affordable way to bring state-of-the-art glass cockpit benefits to the bulk of the general aviation fleet,” said John Uczekaj, Aspen Avionics’ President and CEO.  “As we continue to expand the number, classes and types of aircraft covered by our AML,” he continued, “soon anyone who wants to move up to a glass cockpit will be able to do so.”

With TSO and AML-STC certifications and production authorization in hand, Aspen and its more than 300 authorized avionics dealers are ready to begin installing the EFD1000 PFD system in customer airplanes.  Demand for the product has been exceptionally strong since its introduction in Oshkosh last summer, and many have eagerly anticipated this day when they can now install the Evolution system in their airplanes.

The complete Approved Model List and STC are available now at http://www.aspenavionics.com/approvals, and new models will be added regularly over the next few months.

Announced just eight months ago at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, the Evolution Flight Display system is an affordable glass cockpit solution for general aviation aircraft.  The Evolution system is modular, expandable and upgradable; it’s easy to afford, easy to install and easy to own. With prices starting under $6,000, the Evolution system breaks the price barrier and makes the safety benefits of the most advanced glass cockpit technologies finally accessible to the vast majority of the GA aircraft fleet. 

“This certification is a major achievement for Aspen Avionics, and a testament to the drive, strength and experience of our people,” said Aspen’s President and CEO John Uczekaj.  “It’s remarkable how much a small, focused team can accomplish in short order.  Aspen is living proof that entrepreneurship is alive and well in the aviation industry,” continued Uczekaj. 

The certification process for the EFD1000 PFD took approximately 18 months to complete.  “It’s been a pleasure working with the FAA on this project,” said Peter Lyons, Aspen Avionics Co-Founder and VP of Product Management, who led the company’s certification effort.  “The FAA recognized early in the process the potential safety benefits that affordable retrofit EFIS systems can offer the general aviation (GA) fleet, and have been very supportive of our efforts,” said Lyons. 

Customer demand for the Evolution Flight Display system has been enthusiastic.  Aspen sold over $1.5 million of the units in the first week after the product’s launch.  “This is the right product, at the right time, for the right price, and is a joy to fly” said Doug Cayne, Aspen’s VP of Marketing.  “Our order book has continued to swell as we’ve made progress towards certification, and now we can start delivering one of the most eagerly anticipated products in recent avionics history,” said Cayne.  Aspen has spent the past nine months building a network of top avionics dealers to sell and support the EFD1000, and now has nearly 300 authorized avionics dealers ready to begin installations of the Evolution system in April.

“With TSO and production authorization in hand, Aspen is rapidly ramping up production to meet demand,” said Uczekaj. “With our new manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, top-notch manufacturing talent, and an experienced Customer Support team, we are confident that we will be able to meet the market’s enthusiastic response to the Evolution Flight Display.”

The Evolution Flight Display has a list price of $5,995 for the Pilot PFD, and $9,995 for the Pro PFD model, which will be available from Aspen Avionics Authorized Dealers in April. A complete list of dealers, and detailed product information, can be found on the company website at http://www.aspenavionics.com.

Certification of the Evolution Flight Display is the second TSO Aspen Avionics has received. The company’s innovative AT300 Hazard Awareness Display received certification in November 2005.

Aspen licensed the Lance into the Experimental—Show Compliance category, and two FAA test pilots conducted the ground and flight tests Friday, February 22nd.  Passing this major milestone brings Aspen one step closer to certification of the Evolution Flight Display System. 

The next step is completion of Stage of FAA Involvement No. 4 (SOI#4), the last of four formal FAA software review audits, assuring compliance with DO-178B software design objectives.  After that, all hardware, software, ground and flight tests will be complete, and Aspen will finish up the last reports and documentation to complete and submit its final package and request for certification to the FAA.  We expect to complete these last steps in rapid succession. 

We remain on track for shipping FAA certificated Evolution Flight Displays by the end of March.

Aspen has decided to complete the EFD1000 installation in its Cessna 421C with dual PFDs at this time, in both the pilot and co-pilot panels, instead of only on the co-pilot side as originally planned, at Cutter Aviation in Albuquerque. 

Fortunately, the avionics shop had already pre-wired the plane for installation into both sides, so the last minute change in plan was not disruptive.  The plane will be re-licensed into Market Survey for customer demos, which will take some time.  We therefore decided to complete the panel and re-licensing all at once.

The 421 should be returned to service the first week in March.  Photo above is a mock-up of the planned installation (see 01 February 2008 posting below, for a picture of the original panel).

Aspen’s VP of Marketing, Doug Cayne, will also be conducting a seminar titled “Flying with the Evolution Flight Display.” Doug will be presenting the seminar in three separate sessions:

· Tuesday, 08 April at 1:00pm in Tent #4

· Wednesday, 09 April at 12:00pm Tent #4

· Sunday, 13 April at 11:00am Tent #5

Several authorized Aspen dealers will be also have the EFD1000 PFD on display in their booths.  Make sure you stop and see these dealers to schedule an Evolution Flight Display installation.

Also, don’t forget to go to the AOPA booth and see the 2008 “Get Your Glass” sweepstakes plane that will feature an installed Evolution PFD.

We’re excited to be attending Sun ‘n Fun and look forward to seeing you there!

Find out more about the Fly-In on the Sun ‘n Fun Website