Evolution Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When will the Evolution Flight Display be released?
When will the Evolution Flight Display be available outside the US?
How much is the Evolution Flight Display?
What is the installation cost?
Where can I buy an Evolution Flight Display?
Will the Evolution Flight Display work with my current autopilot/flight director?
Will the Evolution Flight Display system work with my current GPS?
Will the Evolution Flight Display system work with my VHF navigation radios?
What is the certification basis for the EFD1000?
In which makes and models of aircraft can the EFD1000 be installed?
Can the Evolution Flight Display be installed in helicopters?
How do I become an Aspen Avionics dealer?
Q: When will the Evolution Flight Display be released?
A: The initial certification, of the EFD1000 Pilot and Pro PFDs, is in its final stages, and will be complete by the end of March 2008. We plan to build a supply of EFDs to be ready for shipment to our US avionics dealers as soon as we receive certification. Dealers are beginning to schedule customer installations starting in April 2008.
As it looks now, we estimate certifying and shipping the MFD products by year-end 2008, and the ATP PFD by mid-2009.
Keep checking for updates to the release schedules for the Evolution Flight Display product line at www.aspenavionics.com/evolutiontracking, and on this FAQ page.
Q: When will the Evolution Flight Display be available outside the US?
A: Initial certification of the EFD system will be through the US FAA, after which it will be available for installation by Aspen Authorized US avionics dealers. Once we resolve US export regulations compliance, it will also be available for installation by Aspen Authorized avionics dealers in other countries where FAA certification provides a sufficient basis for local installation approvals.
Aspen Avionics will pursue certification of the EFD system through other, non-US aviation authorities (e.g., EASA, local CAAs, etc.), based on demand and resource availability, probably starting in 2008.
Q: How much is the Evolution Flight Display?
A: The PFDs start at $5,995, and the MFDs start at $4,995.
For detailed list pricing, see http://www.aspenavionics.com/index.php/products/pricing/.
Q: What is the installation cost?
A: Please see your avionics dealer for specific installed pricing for your aircraft.
Q: Where can I buy an Evolution Flight Display?
A: We are constantly adding new dealers. Please see our dealer locator at the Where To Buy page to find a dealer near you.
Q: Will the Evolution Flight Display work with my current autopilot/flight director?
A: The Evolution Flight Display Pro and ATP PFDs are designed to work with at least the following autopilots and flight directors:
- Bendix/King: KAP 140/150; KFC 150/200/225/250/300/325; KCP 320
- Century: II/III/IV/41/2000
- Cessna ARC 400/800/1000 series
- S-TEC: 20/30/40/50/55/55X/60/60-2/65
If your AP/FD system is not listed, please see your avionics dealer for questions about compatibility.
Q: Will the Evolution Flight Display system work with my current GPS?
A: All Evolution Flight Display PFDs are designed to work with dual GPS sources that interface through ARINC 429 and/or RS-232.
The GPS Steering (GPSS) function of the Pro and ATP PFDs is available only when the installed GPS navigator is an ARINC 429-based GPS providing Label 121 bank angle command information (e.g., Garmin 400/500 series GPS navigators).
The EFD system supports both WAAS and legacy GPS navigators. When connected to a WAAS GPS, the EFD Pro and ATP PFDs will display the Vertical Deviation Indicator (like an ILS glideslope indicator) when an APV (approach with vertical guidance) is loaded and active, and the WAAS GPS is outputting vertical deviation signals to the PFD.
The EFD Pro and ATP PFDs can also be configured at installation to display the required WAAS GPS annunciations, obviating the need for external annunciators.
Q: Will the Evolution Flight Display system work with my VHF navigation radios?
A: The Pro and ATP PFD models also support dual VHF navigation radios, whether standalone VHF radios with composite nav outputs, or integrated GPS/Nav receivers.
Q: What is the certification basis for the EFD1000?
A: Aspen Avionics is pursuing both TSO (Technical Standard Order) and STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) certification of the EFD system.
The EFD1000 will comply with the following TSOs:
- TSO-C2d Airspeed Instruments
- TSO-C3d Turn and Slip Instrument
- TSO-C4c Bank and Pitch Instruments
- TSO-C6d Direction Instrument Magnetic (Gyroscopically Stabilized)
- TSO-C8d Vertical Velocity Instrument (Rate-of-Climb)
- TSO-C10b Altitude Pressure Activated Sensitive Type
- TSO-C106 Air Data Computer
- TSO-C113 Airborne Multipurpose Electronic Displays
Aspen Avionics is pursuing STCs through the Approved Model List (AML) process.
Q: In which makes and models of aircraft can the EFD1000 be installed?
A: Aspen Avionics is pursuing an FAA AML-STC (Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate) for all Part 23 Class I, II and III airplanes, excluding Commuter category airplanes (over 800 makes and models).
Aspen Avionics expects many of those makes/models to be included in its initial AML, which it expects around the same time as TSO certification. Aspen Avionics will continue to expand the initial AML to include the remaining makes/models as quickly as possible.
Based on our latest discussions with the FAA, we expect our initial AML will include most Class I and Class II airplanes, those less than 6,000 lbs. gross weight (more than 600 makes and models). We expect approval of Class III airplanes (over 6,000 lbs.) will require additional certification work, and will work to add them to our AML in 2008.
For installation in aircraft not on the AML-STC, dealers can pursue FAA field approval (and Aspen will work closely with those dealers, providing necessary technical data and working with them to help expand our AML-STC with each field approval).
A detailed AML list will be maintained on the web site and through Aspen dealers as soon as it is approved by the FAA.
Q: Can the Evolution Flight Display be installed in helicopters?
A: Aspen’s initial AML-STC for the EFD system will include airplanes only, not helicopters.
Aspen Avionics plans to do the required additional testing, and pursue an AML-STC for Part 27 rotorcraft, as demand and resources permit.
Q: How do I become an Aspen Avionics dealer?
A: Please complete and submit this Authorized Dealer Application, and an Aspen Sales representative will contact you.
You can also email us at sales@aspenavionics.com or call us at
(505) 856-5034.
