Latest Upgrade Supports ACU2 Analog Converter Option

Even with many of the FAA's employees of furlough, the agency on Monday granted TSO and STC approval for Version 2.3.1 Evolution Software for Aspen’s flight display product lines. This latest software release adds many features and refinements to both Evolution Primary and Multi-function Flight Displays, and expands the number of supported third party interfaces with the new ACU2 analog converter option. These capabilities are now shipping for both new orders and for retrofit into existing Aspen flight display installations.

“From the start, Aspen established a new way to build glass cockpit systems,” says Brad Hayden, Aspen’s Vice President of Marketing. “The Evolution system architecture supports future growth and expansion by being compatible with a myriad of new and existing avionics and communications equipment. This software release is no different, adding those new features and expanded equipment and autopilot interfaces most requested by our customers.”

In a briefing for the media on Tuesday, Hayden said version 2.3.1 Evolution Software adds the following new features and improvements to the award winning Evolution Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multifunction Flight Display (MFD) software:

• Automatic or one touch airport taxi diagram presentation at system start up and after landing.
• One touch access to Terminal Procedures, METARs, and TAFs for the Departure, Destination and Nearest airports.
• Eliminated the control knob “push to activate” feature that was previously required before adjusting course, heading, airspeed, or altimeter bug values.
• Improved access and reduced knob sensitivity for barometric pressure setting changes.

Improved inter communications among all installed Evolution Displays, including:

• One button set up of the reversionary PFD, quickly allowing user setting synchronization between the PFD and the reverted MFD.
• Sharing of RSM OAT and emergency GPS position data between a single RSM and up to three Evolution displays.
• Retention of more user configured settings between flights, reducing system set up time at preflight.
• Expanded support for turboprop and turbojet aircraft to include Vmo and Mmo red line display and Mach number display.

Concurrently with Version 2.3.1 Evolution Software, Aspen introduced a new Analog Converter Unit option. The next-generation ACU2 enables more interfaces when installing the Evolution System. New optional capabilities enabled with the ACU2 include:

• Support for various flight director types for common Rockwell Collins and Honeywell autopilots typically found in cabin class twins, turboprops and turbojets.
• Dual ADF sensor input and bearing pointer display.
• Radio Altitude digital height above ground level display and Decision Height annunciation.
• Heading synchro bootstrap output for third party systems needing analog heading stabilization inputs
• Additional configurations supporting ARINC 429 air data outputs.
• Optional conventional external OAT probe inputs, providing more installation flexibility and options
• Improved integration support with the Garmin G500/600 system.

 
Hayden said that while version 2.3.1 Evolution software is an easy-to-load optional upgrade, an Aspen Authorized Dealer must install it.

FMI: www.aspenavionics.com