May 26, 2009

New 5.1 Firmware Adds IMC Reliability and Autopilot Features - May 2009

New! Dynon Software Improves IMC Reliability for Rock-Solid IFR Performance

 Dynon Avionics, Inc. today announces immediate availability of software version 5.1.

Woodinville, WA, USA, May 26, 2009 - Dynon Avionics, Inc. today announced the release of new software version 5.1 for their EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System) and EMS (Engine Monitoring System) products. This software upgrade is available free to all existing EFIS-D10A, EFIS-D100, FlightDEK-D180, EMS-D10, and EMS-D120 customers and will ship with new instruments.
IMPROVED ATTITUDE RELIABILITY
Dynon Avionics EFISs are installed in thousands of aircraft and are used in everything from VFR-equipped Cub replicas to technically advanced aircraft capable of “hard” IFR. With this latest software update, the ADAHRS (Air Data, Attitude, Heading Reference System) inside every Dynon EFIS receives a significant and free performance upgrade with the ability to provide a reliable artificial horizon even when major systems in the aircraft have failed.
Dynon’s ADAHRS has previously required a valid airspeed reading through connections to the pitot/static system in order to maintain an accurate attitude in all flight regimes. Airspeed data gives Dynon’s products class-leading performance, allowing its attitude indicator to recover in ways most others can not. For example, Dynon EFIS systems can be powered up or rebooted in-flight and provide accurate attitude indication within seconds of coming online. Additionally, even after aggressive aerobatics at extreme rates, the attitude indication on a Dynon EFIS system automatically returns to full capability seconds after the aircraft is returned to lower rate, coordinated flight. These capabilities are automatic and require no pilot input whatsoever.
Historically, the attitude indication provided by a Dynon EFIS would become less accurate if airspeed became unavailable to the system. Though such a failure is extremely unlikely (especially when an IFR-equipped aircraft is equipped with a heated pitot), Dynon has endeavored to make its products as robust as possible when faced with system failures.
When a Dynon Avionics EFIS is upgraded to version 5.1 and has a GPS connected to it, GPS ground speed can be automatically substituted for airspeed when the EFIS detects that the airspeed indication has failed (usually because of an iced, blocked, or otherwise disconnected pitot). When this happens, the EFIS annunciates that its attitude indication is in a “GPS Assist” mode. The EFIS display also shows GPS ground speed next to the failed airspeed indication to help the pilot maintain situational awareness. Most importantly, when in GPS Assist mode, the attitude provided by Dynon EFIS systems continues to be accurate.

ADDITIONAL AUTOPILOT CAPABILITY

With the 5.1 update, Dynon’s recently-released autopilot also receives enhanced IFR capability:

True Preselects

When a Dynon Autopilot is configured with the optional panel-mounted AP74 Dedicated Autopilot Interface Module, pilots can configure the way that that the autopilot engages to enable true preselecting of magnetic heading, GPS ground track, or Altitude targets before the autopilot is engaged. This allows pilots to pre-set their direction and altitude targets in anticipation of ATC clearances, reducing workload in IFR flight.

VOR / Localizer Autopilot Tracking

The Dynon Autopilot can now fly VORs and the localizer (lateral) component of ILS approaches! With this added capability - formerly only available on autopilots costing many thousands more - Dynon once again redefines the Autopilot price / performance equation.

GPS Steering

When paired with a capable IFR GPS unit (such as the popular Garmin 430/530 series) and Dynon’s HS34 HSI expansion module, GPS steering (GPSS) commands are now followed by the Dynon Autopilot when available. GPS Steering commands allow the Dynon Autopilot to benefit from the advanced navigation features available in modern IFR GPSs. One of the popular features this enables is the ability for the Autopilot to “cut the corner” when approaching waypoints instead of first overflying them before turning.

About Dynon Avionics

Founded in 2000, Dynon Avionics is the leading manufacturer of avionics for Experimental and Light Sport Aircraft. Continuing a tradition started with the introduction of their first Electronic Flight Information System “glass panel”, Dynon is committed to developing innovative and high-quality avionics at affordable prices for all pilots.
For more information about Dynon Avionics Inc., please contact Robert Hamilton, Sales and Marketing Manager, at 425-402-0433 or info@dynonavionics.com.
Note to editors:  High-resolution images are available on our website. 
Visit Dynon Avionics on the Web at www.DynonAvionics.com.

May 21, 2009

New Low-cost Glass Panels from Dynon!

Because some of you like to keep it simple, we're excited to announce our new, lower priced EFIS-D6 and EFIS-D60. The EFIS-D6 starts at $1600; the EFIS-D60 at $1900. To further sweeten the deal, the D6 price includes the popular remote compass, while the D60 includes a remote compass and the high brightness screen. They can be ordered now and will begin shipping on May 29th.

Based on our existing EFIS products and technology, these two new models trade some of the advanced features in our product line to get pricing to unheard of levels for glass. So while the EFIS-D6 and EFIS-D60 don't do Autopilot, HSI, and some other things (see the full comparison chart for details), they are both a COMPLETE "six pack" of primary flight instruments (and then some)! Options such as Angle of Attack, battery backup, and the altitude encoder converter are all still available with the D6/D60. The only non-supported option is OAT.

We've worked hard to make the EFIS-D6 and EFIS-D60 incredibly easy to install and use. If you've been afraid to "go glass" because the complexity of EFIS system overwhelm you, this is the perfect entry-level product for you.

Have a vacuum pump or attitude indicator that's on its way out? Consider replacing it with a COMPLETE set of primary flight instruments for about the same as it would cost to replace just your gyro!

Upgrades are available (for just $100 more than the original price difference) if you start with the EFIS-D6 or EFIS-D60 and later decide you want the added benefit of the full EFIS-D10A or EFIS-D100 feature-set.

New Low-cost Glass Panels from Dynon - May 2009

New Low-cost Glass Panels from Dynon

 For only $1,600, homebuilders can now install modern avionics at steam gauge prices.
Woodinville, WA, USA, May 28, 2009 - Dynon Avionics, Inc. today announced the release of two new EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System) products. The EFIS-D6 and EFIS-D60 offer modern glass panel avionics at the low cost of only $1,600 and $1,900.  

Replace Your Steam Gauges

Because some like to keep it simple, Dynon now offers these basic, even more affordable versions of its best-selling primary flight displays.  Perfect for pilots that want to save panel weight, space, and installation time compared to a conventional six-pack. At only $1,600, the EFIS-D6 costs less than the traditional gauges it replaces.
The EFIS-D6 and EFIS-D60 are simpler versions of the well-proven 4” EFIS-D10A and 7” EFIS-D100.  The primary functions duplicate a traditional six-pack: airspeed, attitude, altitude, turn coordinator, gyro stabilized heading (DG), and vertical speed, while also adding a voltmeter and altitude encoder. Angle of Attack (AoA) and a battery backup may be added as options.  Both products include a remote compass, and the D60 includes Dynon’s high brightness screen.

Glass Panel Revolution

Over the past decade many aircraft builders have switched to glass panel displays because of their enhanced features, lighter weight and greater reliability. They then discovered that Dynon glass panels are easy to fly behind, and are not a hard transition from steam. The only remaining reason to keep steam gauges has been the increased cost of glass, but with the introduction of these new Dynon instruments even that has gone away.
At any time a customer may upgrade the D6 to a D10A or a D60 to a D100. After the upgrade, the customer will have access to the full feature set of the Dynon EFIS products, including a full HSI and glideslope with connectivity to GPS and NAV radios, autopilot, networking between Dynon EFIS and EMS products, heading and altitude bugs, checklists, data logging, clock, timers, OAT and GPS derived data, and altitude alerts.
Note to editors:  High-resolution images of the EFIS-D6 and EFIS-D60 can be downloaded at www.dynonavionics.com

About Dynon Avionics

Founded in 2000, Dynon Avionics is the leading manufacturer of avionics for Experimental and Light Sport Aircraft. Continuing a tradition started with the introduction of their first Electronic Flight Information System glass panel, Dynon is committed to developing innovative and high-quality avionics at affordable prices for all pilots.  
For more information about Dynon Avionics Inc., please contact Robert Hamilton, Sales and Marketing Manager, at 425-402-0433 or info@dynonavionics.com.
Visit Dynon Avionics on the Web at www.DynonAvionics.com.