Allows ADS-B In Capabilities

Upgrade allows industry-leading TAS600 Traffic Advisory Systems to accept ADS-B IN; TAS600A Series combines higher precision and extended range of ADS-B with added protection of independent active-traffic system.

Integrated flight deck and safety systems manufacturer Avidyne introduced Thursday at AEA 2009 its new TAS600A Series of ADS-B-capable Traffic Advisory Systems. In addition, Avidyne announced that existing TAS600 Series systems are fully upgradeable to ADS-B capability.

Avidyne is accepting no-obligation reservations for ADS-B upgrades through the end of 2009, allowing current TAS600, TAS610, and TAS620 owners to lock in a $2,000 upgrade price.

"While the mandate for ADS-B equipage of GA aircraft currently has a 2020 deadline, many parts of the US and some other countries are already starting the transition now, and customers want to know their avionics are going to be compatible in an ADS-B world," said Patrick Herguth, Chief Operating Officer. "Adding ADS-B IN to our TAS600 systems provides our customers with the added precision and extended range of ADS-B, along with the independent protection of an active-surveillance traffic system."

"This is the first in a series of ADS-B announcements that Avidyne will make as we transition to the Next-Gen Air Traffic Control System," said Dan Schwinn, Avidyne President and CEO. "TAS600 systems already operate in the 1090MHz band and their dual-antenna architecture meets the DO-260A requirement for full diversity antennas, so adding ADS-B is an extremely cost-effective way for our customers to see ADS-B traffic, along with TAS traffic, without having to replace their existing TAS-compatible displays."

Avidyne's Entegra Traffic Series includes three models of dual-antenna TAS600 Traffic Advisory Systems include the TAS600, TAS610, and TAS620, which actively interrogate other transponder-equipped aircraft, and independently compute range, bearing, and closure rate of these aircraft in order to provide pilots with an accurate display of nearby traffic and timely audible and visual alerts of conflicting traffic.

An announcement of a definitive date for the availability of the TAS600A and ADS-B Upgrade Kits for existing TAS600 systems is forthcoming as Avidyne awaits final FAA rulemaking on ADS-B. Avidyne is currently accepting no-obligation reservations via its website for ADS-B upgrades through the end of 2009, allowing current TAS600, TAS610, and TAS620 owners to lock in a $2,000 upgrade price.

FMI: www.avidyne.com/tas600/ads-b