DFC100, Release 9.2 and Synthetic Vision

My apologies for a long explanation but I wanted to give you a comprehensive update on the certification and delivery of Release 9.2 and the DFC100 autopilot. The fundamental differences between DFC100 and DFC90 involved a few architectural changes (talking on the Byteflight digital databus, using the Avidyne FMS900w as the navigator instead of the Garmin 430s, etc) and a bunch of extra functional features (VNAV mode, Vectors integration, and a bunch of neat envelope protection enhancements above what DFC90 has - in fact, there are a bunch of new goodies in there that we haven't told anyone about yet). Those changes are all schedule deltas on top of DFC90 but the good news is that we are done with development, have already entered final "tests-for-credit" and expect to be submitting everything to the FAA within the next 30 days or so. Once that is complete, we have what is typically a 20-40 day wait period as the FAA crunches through the reams of data and documents submitted and fly it themselves for final evaluation. The end of that wait period results in FAA cert.  This FAA cert process is the final risk point since they could require a change.

We do plan to run a short "pilot program" after certification where we'll pick a few airplanes (I'm thinking approximately 3) where we'll do the upgrade at different shops and validate, and update/change as required, any docs and procedures to ensure the upgrade process for all that follow is as smooth as possible. Unlike DFC90 where we had to go through all kinds of crazy gymnastics with the FAA to get the Envelope Protection features approved, all of that is considered known ground now with both us and the FAA so we do not anticipate the same kinds of fielding delays we had in DFC90. When we are complete with the pilot program (I'd plan on approximately a 3-week duration), we will open it up for mass installation to our R9 fleet.

We have the physical assets for the entire DFC100 customer base already in the process of build out and the supporting R9 software update will be a field loadable software update so there are no plans to have to ship anything back to an Avidyne facility. 

Release 9.2 has fixes for the following items; the missing range-to-altitude arc, the Direct-to guidance issue and the map redraw slowdown.  There are also other bug fixes that will be provided in the release notes.

SynVis is proceeding in parallel with the DFC100 program and is also making good progress.  SynVis is part of Release 9.3.  We have flown versions of it and it is continually being improved by the software development team.  We are meeting with the FAA this fall to show them a nearly final version so that there will be no surprises during the later FAA flight testing.  As the development progresses and the DFC100 is certified, I’ll have greater fidelity on a certification date.

Avidyne want these products out more than anyone else and we are pushing the developers and the FAA as much as possible.  Please bear with us as we proceed through these developments and deliver a great and reliable product.