- Joined
- Feb 15, 2012
- Messages
- 9,567
- Reaction score
- 4,408
Whirlwind tour today.
Sandia
They have recognized a problem with the temperature stabilization of their MEMS unit in the Quattro 340, which results in the "crosscheck" errors, and intermittent devolution to degraded mode. They are offering a no charge hardware upgrade to all, but a slot for return needs to be requested. I've sent the request. Firmware upgrade also adds an IVSI.
Gensys (STEC)
Their new AI driven digital 3100 A/P PA28 STC is inching forward, they are thinking perhaps early next year. Although the unit is not pin compatible with the 55x, the nice thing is that the harness will NOT need to be pulled, there is a template provided to manufacture an adapter if desired, adding in the new additional connections as required. An upgrade path from the 55x is supported, and will provide a no questions asked two year additional warranty on the installed servos, and three year warranty on the new 3100 head.
Electroair
The unit to replace the D3000 Mags, with their single coupling spring, is expected early next year. It will be a combo of a new conventional mag (with MP driven advancement for starting as well) together with their electronic unit with full auto-adjusting advance. It will be one box, slightly smaller than the D3000. Unfortunately the cost may be prohibitive, US$8000 or so. Perhaps a core credit for the existing D3000 may help out.
Foreflight and Stratus are parting company. The new Stratus 3 works with all EFB software (still including FF), and FF is using a new lower cost supplier for their ADS-B IN unit, on sale at the show. FF will continue to support the older Stratus units as well.
PSEngineering
The 450A is updated to the 450B. Hardware, not firmware, no upgrade path. Some new niceties, and unfortunately one new feature I actually wanted. Oh well.
ASPEN
A lot of cool stuff.
Entry level E5 & the new "full" 1000Pro MAX is due out later this year. Both share the all new internal hardware with a faster processor and updated brighter and higher rez screen. They were all on display, and the screens were noticeably crisper, everything is more fluid, like the scrolling of the ASI & ALT tapes and display of the SV imagery, etc.
- E5 and ProMAX will no longer red-X the AI if you lose your pitot. It has been certified to use the GS instead to maintain the data validity envelope
- Hoping to get FAA to allow the ProMAX MFD reversion to be certified to be the AI backup, instead of having your old AI (or additional electric AI) retained. (the E5 paperwork does NOT require a backup AI at all)
- Both E5 and 1000 ProMAX (and 1000Pro) will work 100% with the TruTrak A/P
- The cool NEWS, they will allow current 1000Pro owners to upgrade to the 1000Pro MAX with a swapout (old unit for a brand new one) for $3000, the new MAX unit comes complete with a 2year warranty. Offer to be extended perhaps by the end of year.
Dynon
Their new HDX PFD/MFD/AP/ADSB/etc. STC for PA28 is expected by the end of the year.
Avidyne
No word on when the IFD 10.3 firmware update will be released, although it was hinted that some major new features will be included.
They had a demo of the Dynon HDX working together with an IFD. Also the L3 Lynx NGT-9000 ADS-B IN/OUT transponder unit is now fully supported, and was being demonstrated. Interestingly L3 had an Avidyne promo at their booth as well. There was also some Avidyne promotional material at the PSEngineering booth. Hmm.
Garmin
Lots of touchscreen TXi's and GTN's to play with, together with their primary PFD/MD panels. They have added in some more Avidyne IFD features to their GTN units, full QWERTY for the 750 (650 - QWERTY alternated with numbers) and, altitude constraints for each waypoint, both good features. But no sight of the Boeing Banana.
A very interesting day.
* Orest
Sandia
They have recognized a problem with the temperature stabilization of their MEMS unit in the Quattro 340, which results in the "crosscheck" errors, and intermittent devolution to degraded mode. They are offering a no charge hardware upgrade to all, but a slot for return needs to be requested. I've sent the request. Firmware upgrade also adds an IVSI.
Gensys (STEC)
Their new AI driven digital 3100 A/P PA28 STC is inching forward, they are thinking perhaps early next year. Although the unit is not pin compatible with the 55x, the nice thing is that the harness will NOT need to be pulled, there is a template provided to manufacture an adapter if desired, adding in the new additional connections as required. An upgrade path from the 55x is supported, and will provide a no questions asked two year additional warranty on the installed servos, and three year warranty on the new 3100 head.
Electroair
The unit to replace the D3000 Mags, with their single coupling spring, is expected early next year. It will be a combo of a new conventional mag (with MP driven advancement for starting as well) together with their electronic unit with full auto-adjusting advance. It will be one box, slightly smaller than the D3000. Unfortunately the cost may be prohibitive, US$8000 or so. Perhaps a core credit for the existing D3000 may help out.
Foreflight and Stratus are parting company. The new Stratus 3 works with all EFB software (still including FF), and FF is using a new lower cost supplier for their ADS-B IN unit, on sale at the show. FF will continue to support the older Stratus units as well.
PSEngineering
The 450A is updated to the 450B. Hardware, not firmware, no upgrade path. Some new niceties, and unfortunately one new feature I actually wanted. Oh well.
ASPEN
A lot of cool stuff.
Entry level E5 & the new "full" 1000Pro MAX is due out later this year. Both share the all new internal hardware with a faster processor and updated brighter and higher rez screen. They were all on display, and the screens were noticeably crisper, everything is more fluid, like the scrolling of the ASI & ALT tapes and display of the SV imagery, etc.
- E5 and ProMAX will no longer red-X the AI if you lose your pitot. It has been certified to use the GS instead to maintain the data validity envelope
- Hoping to get FAA to allow the ProMAX MFD reversion to be certified to be the AI backup, instead of having your old AI (or additional electric AI) retained. (the E5 paperwork does NOT require a backup AI at all)
- Both E5 and 1000 ProMAX (and 1000Pro) will work 100% with the TruTrak A/P
- The cool NEWS, they will allow current 1000Pro owners to upgrade to the 1000Pro MAX with a swapout (old unit for a brand new one) for $3000, the new MAX unit comes complete with a 2year warranty. Offer to be extended perhaps by the end of year.
Dynon
Their new HDX PFD/MFD/AP/ADSB/etc. STC for PA28 is expected by the end of the year.
Avidyne
No word on when the IFD 10.3 firmware update will be released, although it was hinted that some major new features will be included.
They had a demo of the Dynon HDX working together with an IFD. Also the L3 Lynx NGT-9000 ADS-B IN/OUT transponder unit is now fully supported, and was being demonstrated. Interestingly L3 had an Avidyne promo at their booth as well. There was also some Avidyne promotional material at the PSEngineering booth. Hmm.
Garmin
Lots of touchscreen TXi's and GTN's to play with, together with their primary PFD/MD panels. They have added in some more Avidyne IFD features to their GTN units, full QWERTY for the 750 (650 - QWERTY alternated with numbers) and, altitude constraints for each waypoint, both good features. But no sight of the Boeing Banana.
A very interesting day.
* Orest
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