DFC90 for the Baron, Bonanza and Skylane |
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twalterhome3
Groupie Joined: 06 Sep 2012 Location: CA Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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Can you please give us a latest update on the status of certification for the DFC90 in Bonanzas with King KFC200 autopilots.
I can't expect any dates, but can you let us know what kind of priority things are being worked on. Are KFC200 (i.e. presumably Avidyne servos) top of the priority, middle or low priority, or not even being worked on at all at present due to other projects. ? |
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Tim
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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After significant effort in trying to integrate with the existing King servos, we elected to stop that effort and instead, substitute the Avidyne servo for those existing King servo equipped airplanes who want to upgrade to the DFC90.
While there is some level of effort going on with the Avidyne servo development completion, it is taking a back seat priority-wise. As a company, we've made a substantial financial and intellectual property investment in the Avidyne servos so we will bring that effort to completion and market but because of the other higher priority corporate efforts right now, I can't predict an availability date with any confidence. If definitely won't be 2013.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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twalterhome3
Groupie Joined: 06 Sep 2012 Location: CA Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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Thank you Jake,
I appreciate the straightforward honest answer. I am of course disappointed that I won't be getting a DFC90 in my airplane any time soon. But I am extremely grateful for the honest reply. |
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Tim
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Baron
Newbie Joined: 19 Mar 2013 Location: Atlanta, Ga Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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What about the Century servo solution? Chick |
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A36 Kevin
Newbie Joined: 04 Sep 2012 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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Jake,
Bonanza A36 with a Century 3 A/P and servos, also with an Aspen1000. Any updates for the DFC90 using Century servos? Still in plan and possible timeframe?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
A36 Kevin
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A36 Kevin
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Hi Kevin,
Still in long term plans but no timeframe that I'm comfortable asserting. It is a low priority when compared to the IFD540 and finishing the Avidyne servos.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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rolfe_tessem
Senior Member Joined: 06 Jan 2012 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 189 |
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Jake,
How about an update on progress with the Avidyne servos. It's been a while... I would be a candidate for a clean install on a V35B. Thanks! Rolfe
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Hi Rolfe,
We're inching forward on the Avidyne servos. We'll be sure to brag about it profusely when they're done. Most resources are being applied to IFD540 and associated products but we are keeping the servos moving along in the background. We know the Avidyne servos will be a key piece to a full line of autopilot options including most clean installs so we're not taking our eye off that ball. I'm not yet willing to provide a specific time/date estimate for their availability.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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Baron
Newbie Joined: 19 Mar 2013 Location: Atlanta, Ga Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Steve,
My beloved CIII stopped working today. If I had a choice I would upgrade to the DFC90 for my B55 Baron. Any light at the end of the tunnel when we might expect SOME solution for us? Regards, Chick
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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+1
A lot of us continue to wait, whether it is Century servos, or legacy servos. Tantalizing, in the sense of there, but not there. |
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David Gates
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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There is a pinprick of light but that program is going very slowly. Nothing to announce in 2014 on that front.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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Baron
Newbie Joined: 19 Mar 2013 Location: Atlanta, Ga Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Congrats to Avidyne for getting the IFD540 certified yesterday! Everyone should take the weekend off and then start early Monday mooring on completing the DFC 90 certs! ;)
On a side note...will the 540 play nice with my GDL88? Starting another penny jar! Chick
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rolfe_tessem
Senior Member Joined: 06 Jan 2012 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 189 |
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So, understanding that the Avidyne servo project is on the back burner, and I need a new autopilot solution now, what is the best/cost-effective solution right now to set up for an eventual Avidyne replacement?
If I am to look at an Stec installation, what would be the least expensive install that would set me up? The Stec lineup is very confusing. Would a 30 system with altitude hold do it? Or do you need to go all the way to a 55x? Inquiring minds want to know :-). EDIT: for clarification, I'm talking about a 14v V35B.
Edited by rolfe_tessem - 25 Jul 2014 at 8:28pm |
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oskrypuch
Senior Member Joined: 09 Nov 2012 Location: CYFD Status: Offline Points: 3061 |
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The Avidyne folks reached out and tried, but Garmin is keeping its ADS-B products and intercommunication proprietary. They will not work with any other brands of GPS/COM, PFD, MFD, etc., sad but true. You would be better off waiting for Avidyne's entry, or one of the Freeflight boxes. Avidyne has committed to the open CAPSTONE format, but the IFD540 does not support it at the initial release. * orest |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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With respect to the best holding pattern for autopilots for the V35, any of the two axis Stecs would be fine. That should mean the 30, 50, 55, 55X, 60-2, 65. You will need manual electric trim, a pitch servo and a roll servo. At that point you could then just buy the DFC90 control head and be all set.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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rolfe_tessem
Senior Member Joined: 06 Jan 2012 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 189 |
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Steve,
Thanks for the "holding pattern" clarification -- very useful... Rolfe
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SB Jim
Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2012 Status: Offline Points: 206 |
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Hi Jake,
Is Avidyne expecting to get their servos done in 2015? |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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No
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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Baron
Newbie Joined: 19 Mar 2013 Location: Atlanta, Ga Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Steve,
Is there any work on going which would bring the DFC90'to the Baron..this year or next? Has AVIDYNE given up on the autopilot? Chick |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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No Baron DFC90 in 2014. We have not given up on the autopilot, we have just prioritized other projects ahead of it.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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twalterhome3
Groupie Joined: 06 Sep 2012 Location: CA Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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2014?
I think you mean 2015
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Tim
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Baron
Newbie Joined: 19 Mar 2013 Location: Atlanta, Ga Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Any news for the DFC90/Baron for 2016?
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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No news. It's not an active program (yet).
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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ChuckGell
Newbie Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Location: Concord, NC Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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I was speaking with some of the sales guys and they indicated that if 50 Baron owners put deposit of $10,000, each the Baron DFC 90 STC would be fast tacked with the deposit holders getting a "significant" discount and priority, but it would be in concert with the PFD4000. However, I have been unable to obtain further information. I would be happy to post this on Beachtalk, but I would need details: 1) is the servo program even active at this point? 2) what would be a proposed timeline? I would be willing to place a deposit, since I want to be able to do a complete panel upgrade in 2016/17. I spoke with an Avidyne engineer at the 2015 sun and fun and he indicated that the PFD and servo programs would be full throttle following the IFD440 approval that was yet to come at that time. As we all know the new software issues for 440 and 540 have been FAA approved last summer, so what is the status of the PFD and servo programs?
There are 5500 Barons, most of which are still flying. I have a P-baron and can not believe it would be difficult to get 1% of the Baron fleet interested. Most of us are in a holding pattern with panel upgrades until a comprehensive solution is possible instead of piecemealing our panels. I would appreciate any clarity with regard to the possibility of creating a deposit program, because I do not want to post anything on Beachtalk without a firm commitment on what the details may be for said program.
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Chuck Gell
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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I believe the same would be true for Bonanzas if servos were a part of the plan; however, a number of us already installed Aspen PFDs so an expectation to switch out the Aspen for the Avidyne PFD may not fly, so to speak - unless there were a great incentive ($$).
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David Gates
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ChuckGell
Newbie Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Location: Concord, NC Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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This would be a different issue, as the Bonanza already has a STC. The Baron has yet to go through this process and will not unless the servos are completed.
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Chuck Gell
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AviSimpson
Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2015 Location: Lincoln, MA Status: Offline Points: 765 |
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Unfortunately, this is incorrect. There is no "deposit program" for DFC90 in the Baron currently. However, if you were to show up on our door step with 49 other Baron owners asking for an autopilot and $10k each, it would be tough to turn them away. The servo program is not active as Jake had mentioned in a recent post. We constantly look and evaluating projects. The expansion of the DFC90 certification (including servos) has always been a topic of consideration. We have a number of ongoing projects (TAS-A, MLX200/210, PFD4000, etc) as well as adding features to the IFD540/440 that are taking up a lot of the bandwidth so I couldn't even begin to speculate a timeframe a servo project would be completed in.
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Simpson Bennett
Avidyne Corporation Product Manager |
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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True.
But most Bonanza owners aren't going to go forward without servos which would require servo development, certification, and either a new or amended STC. |
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David Gates
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ChuckGell
Newbie Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Location: Concord, NC Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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So you can see that I would not want to post about a possibility that does not exist on BeachTalk.
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Chuck Gell
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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Unless you have > 4 years, it makes no sense to wait on a DFC90, no matter how good a product it may be, and by that time it will probably be irrelevant.
The irony is that my entry into the Avidyne world was a DFC 90 prepurchase. That was in 2011 as I recall. Edited by ddgates - 22 Oct 2015 at 10:56pm |
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David Gates
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CFunk
Newbie Joined: 10 Dec 2012 Location: KGLD Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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Wondering about the servo project? I know it's back burner but still curious.
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twalterhome3
Groupie Joined: 06 Sep 2012 Location: CA Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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Garmin just announced their autopilot, apparently already STCed for Bonanza and Baron.
I was really hoping to one day have the DFC90, but it looks like we just passed the finish line. :( |
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Tim
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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Many of us got into this for the DFC90.
Looks like a big missed opportunity.
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David Gates
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twalterhome3
Groupie Joined: 06 Sep 2012 Location: CA Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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I agree. I waited and waited and waited, and Avidyne had my money. but this is game over. Unless Avidyne makes an announcement imminently, I'm giving my money to Garmin, and that sucks, I really wanted Avidyne to win this. And I'm not alone, there's a lot of very happy Beechcraft owners right now that were waiting for a modern autopilot. Garmin is about to sweep up that market and Avidyne could have had it. Sad. |
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Tim
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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Tim:
I saw somewhere (or maybe it was heard) that the 600 AP which is STCed for the A36 plays with Aspens, so if you put in Aspen(s) you should be good. I have a 35, question whether they (G*) will STC their high end AP for the 35 series or STC the lower end AP, or whether they will STC either for the 35 series. |
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David Gates
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sltx1050
Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2019 Location: St. Louis, MO Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Will there be no more development towards B55 Barons of the dfc90?
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AviSteve
Admin Group Joined: 12 Feb 2018 Location: Melbourne, FL Status: Offline Points: 2211 |
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Never say never, but we're not actively working on it at this point.
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Steve Lindsley
Avidyne Engineering |
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Fuz16
Newbie Joined: 08 Dec 2018 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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Steve,
My shop is installing a DFC90, IFD550 and Aspen 1000 Pro in my ‘62 Beech Debonair 35-B33. I am replacing my S-Tec50. I have a couple of questions. Do I have to keep my turn coordinator? Since I have the Aspen Pro. I would like to remove it. Will the DFC90 work with my 14volt airplane with out a 14-28volt converter? |
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AviSteve
Admin Group Joined: 12 Feb 2018 Location: Melbourne, FL Status: Offline Points: 2211 |
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Wow, definitely outside my area of expertise. I'll have tech support get in contact with you.
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Steve Lindsley
Avidyne Engineering |
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Fuz16
Newbie Joined: 08 Dec 2018 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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Thanks Steve. Please let me know ASAP as the shop is in the middle of the install. I was referencing your SB ”We released a service bulletin (part number 601-00170-014) in May of 2014 that removed the requirement for TC. Your installer should have access to this service bulletin.”
Also, noted that the turn coordinator is not required of updating to DFC90 from a STEC30 or STEC50. Thanks. Fred
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Fuz16
Newbie Joined: 08 Dec 2018 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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Per this SB, if the Cirrus aircraft previous to the DFC90 was the STEC-55X, the TC is still required. This SB only applied to aircraft that previous to the DFC90 had the STEC-30 and STEC-50 autopilots.
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Gring
Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2011 Location: Kingston, NY Status: Offline Points: 734 |
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No, you do not need to keep the turn coordinator in the Aspen / DFC90 installation in a Bonanza. I believe that was specific to the Cirrus due to TDCS, and I believe that requirement in the Cirrus was removed after the initial certification.
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sltx1050
Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2019 Location: St. Louis, MO Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Steve, Thanks was just wondering, we just ordered an IFD540 plus an Aspen 2500 system in our Baron. Some point down the road would love to replace the century III with a modern digital system. Adam
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chflyer
Senior Member Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Location: LSZK Status: Offline Points: 1023 |
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BTW, Avidyne, there is a broken link on the DFC90 product page. The DFC90.com link on the right side returns this error:
ADODB.Command error '800a0d5d' Application uses a value of the wrong type for the current operation. /page_404.asp, line 23 |
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Vince
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andrewj919
Newbie Joined: 26 Jun 2019 Location: Atlanta Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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I haven’t seen an update for awhile. Is Avidyne still developing servos for the DFC? I’m in immediate need of a new autopilot and the DFC is STC’d for my plane but I only have a single axis century 1 AP now.
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andrewj919
Newbie Joined: 26 Jun 2019 Location: Atlanta Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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Guess not
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AviSteve
Admin Group Joined: 12 Feb 2018 Location: Melbourne, FL Status: Offline Points: 2211 |
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Sorry, that one got lost during the Independence Day break. We are not currently doing any servo development.
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Steve Lindsley
Avidyne Engineering |
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Melohn
Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2013 Location: PHNL Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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How about for an Avidyne PA32 with the STEC 55X? You’d keep the same servos, but replace the STEC with the DFC90. I know at least one Saratoga owner who would be interested if this was available, especially if it was as easy to upgrade as it is in the Cirrus.
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an8pilot
Newbie Joined: 30 Jul 2019 Location: 3J6 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Bump.
What's up with the twins not able to get Avidyne equipment in late 2019 because no autopilot option. Twiddling thumbs.
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whiskykilo1
Newbie Joined: 07 Aug 2014 Location: Cologne/Germany Status: Offline Points: 30 |
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Hello, Since Avidyne missed the chance to create a digital autopilot as a replacement for the Stone Age King autopilot before Garmin, the question again. Is there an upgrade path from the KFC200 to the DFC90 in the F33A? If I understand correctly, you need to have an S-TEC on the plane and use its servos. Is it enough to pull out the king stuff, mounting the S-Tec servos and the DFC90, or do you have to install the S-Tec 55 X first, pull it out again, throw it away and then use the DFC90? I have an Aspen PFD and 2 IFD540 in my Beech and I don't feel like bowing to the Garmin monopoly. Many thanks
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EASA registered Beech Bonanza F33A located in EDKB Hangelar/Germany, Aspen 1000 EFD, 2 x IFD540
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