DFC90 Certified For Entegra-Equipped Matrix & Mirage;
DFC100 Certified For R9-Equipped Matrix
The Avidyne revolution marches on... ANN has learned that
company has received TSO and STC approval of the DFC90 autopilot
for Entegra-equipped Piper PA-46 Matrix and Mirage aircraft, as
well as TSO and STC approval of the DFC100 autopilot for Release 9
(R9)-equipped Piper PA-46 Matrix aircraft.
The attitude-based DFC90 is a plug-and-play replacement for the
existing rate-based STEC55X autopilot currently used in
Entegra-equipped PA-46 Matrix and Mirage aircraft. The Mirage
certification is the first in which the DFC90 is using dual Primary
Flight Display (PFD) and Air Data & Attitude Heading Reference
System (ADAHRS) inputs. The Matrix has a single-PFD/ADAHRS
configuration.
The DFC100 is a plug-and-play replacement for the existing
STEC55X autopilot currently used Piper Matrix aircraft that have
been upgraded to Avidyne's Release 9 integrated flight deck system.
The attitude-based DFC100 utilizes both ADAHRS inputs from the R9
system's dual Integrated Flight Displays (IFDs) for an even higher
level of redundancy and safety.
"With thousands of hours on Entegra- and R9-equipped Cirrus
aircraft, the DFC90 and DFC100 are already well proven, and
customers have continued to be delighted with their performance,"
said Patrick Herguth, Avidyne's Chief Operating Officer. "Now we
are expanding the market for these safety-enhancing DFC-Series
autopilots to include our PA-46 Matrix and Mirage customers."
"Matrix and Mirage owners will appreciate the performance and
safety improvements that our DFC-Series autopilots bring to their
airplane," said Avidyne President and CEO, Dan Schwinn. "Avidyne is
committed to enhancing safety for all of our customers and with
providing our loyal Entegra owners with access to this next
generation in autopilot technology."
If you've been reading ANN's comments about our experience with
our DFC100-equipped SR22 Turbo, you'd know that the DFC90 and
DFC100 autopilots are based on attitude-based flight control
systems, by taking advantage of the single or dual ADAHRS in the
Entegra and Release 9 systems. Both autopilots add Indicated
Airspeed Hold (IAS Hold) capability, which is a preferred method
for climbing and descending in these higher-performing aircraft. In
addition, the DFC90 and DFC100 provide the safety enhancements of
the 'Straight & Level' mode, providing one-button unusual
attitude recovery, Flight Envelope Protection (EP) and full-time
Envelope Alerting (EA). EP virtually eliminates autopilot-induced
stalls (underspeed) and overspeeds, while EA protects against
flight envelope exceedences by providing aural warnings to the
pilot, even when the autopilot is not engaged.
The DFC100 is now approved for R9-equipped the Cirrus SR20/SR22
and Piper PA-46 Matrix.
The DFC90 is now approved for Entegra-equipped the Cirrus
SR20/22 and Piper PA-46 Matrix and Mirage. Avidyne has previously
announced plans to interface the DFC90 with the Aspen EFD1000 Pro
Series flight displays, with initial certifications in Cessna 182
and Beech Baron/Bonanza aircraft expected in 2012.
Pricing is aggressive... For Piper PA-46 Matrix owners (with
single Entegra PFD), the DFC90 is $9,995, plus $3,895 to upgrade
the Entegra PFD to Release 8.0.5 software via Avidyne's standard
exchange service. For Piper PA-46 Mirage owners (with dual Entegra
PFDs), the DFC90 is $9,995, plus $6,895 to upgrade the two PFDs to
Release 8.0.5 software via Avidyne's standard exchange service. For
existing R9 Matrix owners, the DFC100 price is $14,995 including
v9.2.4 software upgrades for the dual IFD5000s. The IFD5000s
can be updated via the front-mounted USB ports with field-loadable
software. Pricing does not include cost of shipping or the cost of
any parts or labor for software upgrade and to add required relay
and Flap Sensing input. STEC55X unit must be returned to
Avidyne.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.16.24)
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