Aspen Glass now factory option on Robinson Helicopters

Aspen Avionics announced today the EFD1000H Primary Flight Display (PFD) system will be available as a factory option on the Robinson R22, R44 Raven I, R44 Raven II, and R66 helicopters. The EFD500H Multi-function Display (MFD) system will be available as a factory option on the R44 Raven I, R44 Raven II, and R66.

The EFD1000H PFD is a compact, lightweight, solid-state electronic flight instrument system which provides a modern alternative to mechanical attitude indicators, directional gyros and horizontal situation indicators. The EFD500H MFD provides additional capabilities which include easy-to-use electronic moving maps.

To accommodate the new glass-style avionics, Robinson replaced its 7-, 9-, and 10-hole instrument panels with 6-and 8-hole instrument panels. The 6-hole panel is standard on the R22 and R44 Raven I while the 8-hole panel is standard on the R44 Raven II and R66. The 8-hole panel is also an option on the R44 Raven I. Both panels allow for glass avionics or traditional instrument configurations.

“The helicopter market is realizing the safety-enhancing benefits of Aspen's glass panel technology,” says John Uczekaj, Aspen's president and chief executive officer. “The Robinson platform is a great helicopter to showcase our reliable and versatile EFD1000H PFD, and EFD500 MFD systems.”

EFD1000H PFD features:

• Airspeed, attitude, altitude, turn rate, slip/skid, magnetic direction and vertical speed

• Available with either slaved directional gyro (DG) or horizontal situation indicator (HSI) functionality

• DG and HSI pilot configurable for either 360 degree or 100 degree arc views

• Map of GPS flight plan may be under laid behind DG or HSI

• HSI version provides full interface with navigation receivers

• Pitch sync

• Solid-state air data computer and attitude reference system

• Built-in 30 minute backup battery

• Built-in emergency GPS sensor

EFD500H MFD features:

• Pilot-configurable VFR/IFR moving map

• Relative terrain map

• Geo-referenced instrument approach plates and airport diagrams