Without a formal press conference, Dynon Avionics showed prototypes of its next-generation (and as yet unnamed) EFIS at Oshkosh. Set to debut in the first quarter of 2009, the systems, one with a 10-inch screen and the other with a 7-inch display, break new ground for the company.
For one, the new displays include synthetic vision with terrain awareness in a new split-screen format that can be configured as a full-screen attitude instrument, a top-down moving map, or half and half. The map functions will be controlled by two rotary knobs at the outer corners of the bezel.
The new units will debut several new technologies for Dynon. They will use a series of LRUs—line replaceable units—to provide AHRS data, engine monitoring capabilities, a comm radio and, eventually, remote transponder. All of these are designed to mate to the mother unit through a single cable, as power and data will be provided in a simple link, greatly easing upgrade installations. Moreover, either unit can be fed with two AHRS units for redundancy. Finally, Dynon will implement a dual, parallel DSAB (Dynon Smart Avionics Bus) networking architecture so that any failure in the system, either from the LRUs or the DSAB-commanded autopilot servos, will not take down other components.
“From the start, our vision has been to provide an integrated avionics solution that can do it all. There are high-end solutions that exist today, but they are simply out of reach for most homebuilders and Light Sport Aircraft customers. This new product line will make fully-integrated glass cockpit technology affordable,” says John Torode, President of Dynon Avionics.
No prices have been set, though Dynon representatives hinted that the company’s penchant for providing a lot of features for not much money is going to continue with the new glass. Dynon was also showing its new autopilot servos and had on display the new AP74 autopilot control module for the existing D100, D10A and FlightDek-D180 units. For more information, contact Dynon Avionics.
