Revolutionary AND Evolutionary -- Aspen Avionics!!!
Aspen Avionics, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was founded by
aviation enthusiasts in 2004. The company specializes in bringing
the most advanced technology and capability from the commercial and
business aviation markets into general aviation cockpits.
Its products increase situational awareness and reduce pilot
workload, making it even easier and safer to fly in both VFR and
IFR conditions. The company’s philosophy is that getting the
latest avionics technology shouldn’t always mean spending a
lot of money—on equipment or on installation.
Aspen’s flagship product line is the Evolution Flight
Display System, the most innovative—and
affordable—glass cockpit system ever for certified general
aviation (GA) aircraft. The Evolution system enables aircraft
owners to upgrade their primary flight instrument “six
pack” to glass cockpit technology all at once, or in stages.
Easy and inexpensive software upgrades add new features and
capabilities, while future-proofing the system and protecting
owners’ investments.
The Evolution Flight Display product line was announced at EAA
AirVenture in 2007. The FAA certification process for the 1000
Primary Flight Display (PFD) took approximately 18 months, and
Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorization was granted for the
Evolution Pilot and Pro PFDs in March 2008. In January 2009 the
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) granted E-TSO authorization
of the Evolution Flight Display.
The Multi-function Display (MFD) was certified in September
2009. Aspen’s MFDs are built on the same certified hardware
and software platform as the award-winning 1000 PFDs, and feature
photo-quality moving maps, terrain awareness, and (with optional or
existing sensors) traffic displays, Stormscope® WX-500, and a
suite of the XM WX® aviation weather products.
Liberty Aerospace was Aspen’s first OEM contract for the
Liberty XL-2 in April 2008 and was followed in November by a
contract with Diamond Aircraft, offering the 1000 Pro PFD as
standard equipment on the DA20 two-seat trainer. In September 2009,
the 500 MFD, the 1000 MFD and the EWR50 Weather Receiver received
TSO and AML-STC authorization from the FAA, completing the
certification process for the Evolution Flight Display System.
Aspen is now in the process of gaining STCs for the rotorcraft
market. Aspen Avionics’ first operational helicopter
installation took place in October 2009, when a 1000H Pro PFD and a
1000H MFD was installed in the Dale County (Alabama)
Sheriff’s Office Bell 206 (OH-58).
The company raised its first round of venture capital in
December 2005, and closed a Series B round in June 2007, to
facilitate its continued strong growth. The Company’s
investors include Granite Ventures, vSpring Capital, Wasatch
Venture Fund, Fort Washington Capital Partners, and Sun Mountain
Capital.
Led by industry veteran John Uczekaj, Aspen Avionics’ team
of top talent—with deep roots in aviation product development
and certification—will continue to grow the company’s
business through pioneering solutions for the general aviation
market.
Truly GREAT Facts About Aspen Avionics
- The Evolution Flight Display System is certified for
installation in more than 700 aircraft.
- The Pro PFD (Primary Flight Display) features: airspeed and
altitude tapes, altitude alerter with separate approach minimums
alerting, built-in GPS steering (with compatible GPS navigators),
full electronic H S I, course deviation and more!
- The PFD air data bar shows real-time true airspeed, wind
direction and wind speed, outside air temperature and ground
speed.
- The sectional-style base map features crisp, clear depiction of
the terrain along your flight path.
- Aspen Avionics’ Evolution Flight Display System is now
available for helicopters.
- Aspen owners will have their own VIP parking spaces when they
fly their Aspen-equipped aircraft to Sun ‘n Fun – this
will be the first time that aircraft are parked together based on
avionics panel.
- Aspen Avionics President John Uczekaj has his own blog at www.aspenavionics.wordpress.comwhere
he talks about his Aspen installation and his flying
experiences.
- The DuoSafe combination (Pro PFD with 1000 MFD) provides the
only fully redundant PFD solution on the market – and at an
affordable price.
- Aspen’s optional Evolution Hazard Awareness (EHA) package
provides traffic and weather displays on both the PFD and MFD.
- The Evolution Flight Display System allows you to upgrade to
full-featured glass for a lot less than you think.
- Aspen’s unique auto-zoom function automatically scales
the map to keep your next active waypoint in view on either the PFD
or MFD.
- Aspen’s track-line feature makes it a snap to navigate
easily around airspace, terrain and weather at a moment’s
notice.
- All Aspen displays have built-in battery backup to provide a
minimum 30 minutes of use in the unfortunate event of losing ship
power.
- Aspen continues to add new features and improved function to
the Evolution displays with software version 2.2 – this
upgrade features charts and geo-referenced airport diagrams.
Aspen Avionics Has Made LOTS Of News This Year