Happy New Year!
Welcoming 2022 with new avionics, new staff, new beginnings…and a lot of tradeshows! Did you know that the Maxcraft Avionics team is very active in tradeshows around North America? Check out our yearly schedule listed at the bottom of this newsletter.
A short week later, from Mar. 7th-10th, we will at booth #9445 at Heli-Expo in Dallas. This is the largest helicopter show in the world and we are pleased to be back after the pandemic forced it’s cancellation.
Drop by our booth at any of these tradeshows, and speak to our experienced team about your avionics challenges.
|
|
New Products/Announcements
|
|
FAA Approves Removal of Attitude Indicator with Installation of a Single Aspen Avionics’ Pro MAX / Evolution E5 Primary Flight Display
Aspen Avionics is consistently adding new products and features to their line up of display solutions for various aircraft. Although the Evolution E5 display was released a few years ago, the recent regulatory approval to allow Pro MAX and E5 displays to be installed without a back up attitude indicator is definitely newsworthy.
The approval allows aircraft owners to remove the attitude indicator when installing a single Evolution EFD1000 Pro MAX or Evolution E5 PFD with the latest released software and the new extended duration battery. A turn and bank indicator along with airspeed and altimeter must be retained as the required backups.
“This is a game-changing development for aircraft owners looking for an affordable, full-featured primary flight display while allowing removal of outdated mechanical attitude indicators. We are cleaning up panels while reducing our customer’s maintenance cost and giving them some extra weight savings as well,” said Scott Smith, Director of Sales.
|
|
 |
Garmin’s Smart Glide Upgraded!
Smart Glide safety technology1 for engine-out situations is now available as a free2 software update for our G3X Touch™ flight displays and G5 electronic flight instruments in certified aircraft equipped with GTN™ Xi series navigators.
|
Garmin Smart Watch D2 Air X10
Garmin D2 watches are the only smart watches made exclusively for pilots, packed with powerful tools like GPS navigation, a worldwide airport database, and a built-in altimeter. Now the best-selling D2 Air is even better, with new voice assistant features and long battery life.
Read more here on our blog.
|
Garmin Database Manager
Maxcraft has been waiting for something like this to help our customers with database questions. This database manager will help see whether or not your databases are current and no more guessing the end data or when the next cycle will be coming out. It will do the update if you don’t have a wifi Flightstream connection.
Garmin Aviation Database Manager is available on Windows or Mac.
You can read more here on our blog.
|
|
|
|
Aspen Announces New Integration with the Genesys Aerosystems S-Tec 3100 Autopilot
Another new development from Genesys and Aspen is their integration with the Genesys S-Tec 3100 Digital Flight Control System.
Aspen’s Pro MAX PFD with the Genesys Aerosystems S-TEC 3100 Autopilot enhances and expands the basic S-TEC 3100 Autopilot function and streamlines the controls, reducing workload and removes the need for some external adapters. When combined with all the features and benefits of Aspen’s glass panel technology, flying becomes easier and safer, especially for single pilot IFR missions.
Maximum stability and accuracy – The Genesys Aerosystems S-TEC 3100 Autopilot is a fully-featured, altitude-based autopilot that gives you a list of workload-reducing and safety-enhancing capabilities that were previously unavailable on aftermarket autopilots.
Together, the Aspen Pro MAX PFD and Genesys Aerosystems S-TEC 3100 Autopilot bring a new level of precision and safety to your cockpit. The feature-rich Evolution Flight Display system presents all your critical flight information in one, easy-to-read location for flying that is simpler… and safer.
|
|
|
|
In the Hangar:
Brand New Airbus H125 Workhorse
|
|
Flown directly from the Airbus factory in Fort Erie, Ontario to Maxcraft, we were involved in every step of the purchase process. Packed full of mission specific technology, this H125 is ready to explore British Columbia’s beautiful back country.
“Maxcraft was completely pivotal in the specification, purchase negotiations and customization of C-FKME. Maxcraft served as “Owner’s Rep” in the purchase of a new Airbus H125 and managed the specifications, pricing discussions and delivery.”
|
|
In the Hangar:
A Bonanza of Glass Panel Upgrades
|
|
|
|
With more than 17,000 produced worldwide, these three Bonanza’s are sure to stand out amongst the crowd. Maxcraft installed nearly identical glass panels in three different Bonanzas at the same time.
Read more about the 3 Bonanza’s here
|
|
In the Hangar:
Cost Effective IFR Glass Install
|
|
|
|
With two touchscreen electronic flight instruments, and a large GPS/NAV/COMM multifunction display, this Cessna 206 gained significant capability without the hefty price tag or complexity of a full glass install.
“I am fortunate to work for an avionics company but, like all of our customers, I still have the tough decisions on where and how much to invest in my aging aircraft.”
|
|
In the Hangar:
Sikorsky S61 Visits Maxcraft
|
|
|
|
The Maxcraft hangar at CYPK was built specifically to accommodate the S61. Thirteen years after being built we finally welcomed a familiar aircraft to our facility for the first time.
|
|
In the Hangar:
Aspen EFD1000 Electronic Flight Display
|
|
This classic Cessna 172 training aircraft received an advanced glass primary flight display and a highly functional GPS/NAV/COMM equipped multifunction display, preparing the next generation of pilots for the modern flight decks found in commercial aircraft.
|
|
Entry level glass panels for light general aviation aircraft.
Maxcraft specializes in glass panel upgrades and with recent technological developments in glass displays, there are far more options available to upgrade to the latest and greatest tech at a considerably lower and more appealing price point than just a few short years ago.
The manufacturers have approached the creation of new entry level glass panel technology from different angles; however, all the solutions are tailoring towards:
- Replacement of mechanical gyros with an electronic glass representation of the old equipment.
- Better integration, typically via an HSI, to multiple navigation radios.
- Importantly, these new offerings can most often be installed without the need of a backup ADI.
– Note, each offering has unique configurations to achieve this exemption.
- Complete removal of vacuum systems.
– Removal of the vacuum system and replacement of mechanical gyros with glass displays offers significant weight savings that are especially noticeable on light aircraft.
– Removed vacuum components and mechanical instruments typically totaling 15 lbs.
|
|
|
|
In addition to significant reduction in maintenance and weight savings as well as increased reliability, glass instruments can display a plethora of secondary (advisory) functions such as:
- Airspeed
- Altimeter
- Turn & Bank / Slip information
- True Airspeed
- Ground Speed
- OAT
- Wind Vectors
- CDI functions
- Synthetic Vision (background on ADI)
- etc.
There are various glass panel technologies available which cater to their unique applications. The Aspen E5 instrument is displaying both the Attitude and HSI/DG information on a single display, while Garmin and uAvionix products display Attitude and HSI/DG information on dedicated screens.
|
|
Here are further technical details for some of the more common displays:
Aspen Evolution E5 starting at $5,995
Replaces the existing attitude indicator (ADI) and HSI/DG.
- Dual AHRS Aiding when paired with panel mounted IFR GPS.
- Compatible with legacy avionics.
- Panel mounted IFR GPS required for E5 installation for IFR operations.
– If no GPS, then can be installed for VFR only operations.
- Upgradable to the EFD1000 Pro MAX and Pro Plus MAX.
- Interfaces to most Auto Pilots.
Limitations:
- Limited to class 1 or class 2 aircraft (under 6000 lbs).
- Existing airspeed indicator, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator must be retained.
- Does not display Flight Director. The existing flight director indicator will need to be retained and relocated.
- For installations in aircraft approved for IFR operations:
– Secondary navigation indicator must be retained.
– Must have IFR GPS navigator input.
– Must install RSM (Remote Sensor Module).
|
|
Garmin G5 Attitude Indicator starting at $2,595
Garmin G5 DG/HSI starting at $2,995
The G5, bright, sunlight readable electronic flight instrument delivers exceptional performance, reliability and ease of installation as a drop-in replacement for primary attitude and/or directional gyros in type-certificated fixed-wing aircraft.
Limitations:
- Limited to class 1 or class 2 aircraft (under 6000 lbs with maximum six seats).
- Existing airspeed indicator, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator must be retained.
- GPS aiding is required from a Garmin WAAS panel mounted GPS or from a glareshield mounted antenna.
- For installations in aircraft approved for IFR operations:
– If the G5 is installed as the primary attitude indicator, the existing rate of turn indicator must be retained.
– If the G5 is installed as the rate of turn indicator, the existing primary attitude indicator must be retained.
- For installations in aircraft approved for VFR-only operations;
– The G5 can be installed as the attitude indicator and rate of turn indicator without retention of either the existing attitude indicator or rate of turn indicator.
- Cannot replace an attitude indicator that is part of an autopilot system.
- Cannot replace a rate of turn indicator that is part of an autopilot system.
- Installation of a GMU11, remotely mounted magnetometer is required to provide heading data to DG/HSI.
|
|
|
Garmin GI 275 Primary Attitude Direction Indicator (ADI) starting at $3,995
Garmin GI 275 DG/HSI starting at $4,345
Bright, reliable, high-resolution touchscreen instruments that offer all-purpose digital upgrades from traditional round mechanical instruments.
The GI275 ADAHRS version can replace existing attitude indicator in Part 23 class 1 to Class IV aircraft.
The GI275 ADAHRS+AP version GI275 can drive an approved autopilot when configured as primary ADI.
Options:
- Backup battery (integral) is optional.
- A GMU11 or GMU44B remote mounted magnetometer can be
- installed to provide heading data to ADI.
Limitations:
- GPS aiding is required from a Garmin WAAS panel mounted GPS or from a glareshield mounted antenna.
- The Primary ADI requires one of the following combinations of standby information:
- Standby display of attitude, altitude, and airspeed.
- Standby display of altitude, airspeed, stabilized heading, and standard turn-rate coordination (existing instruments may be retained).
VFR Limited Aircraft: Standby instruments are not required.
|
|
uAvionix AV-30-C ADI and DG starting at under $1,995 each
AV-30 fits in your existing 3” panel slot seamlessly. By mounting from behind, it preserves the “round dial” look, and eliminates the need for cutting or replacing your panel.
The AV-30-C is approved for primary Attitude, Slip and Direction of Flight. All other functionality is supplemental in nature and may not satisfy regulatory requirements for required instrumentation.
Unit can also function as control/display for TailbeaconX-TSO ADS-B, diversity, transponder.
The internal battery capacity has been tested and verified to provide 30 minutes of operational capacity (with reserve).
Limitations:
- Installation is restricted to CFR Part 23, Class I and II, single engine aircraft.
- Installations where the primary attitude indicator is being replaced, existing altimeter and airspeed indicator must remain in their factory locations.
- An AV-30-C that replaces the Attitude Indicator must have the operating mode locked as an AI.
- An AV-30-C that replaces that Directional Gyro must have the operating mode locked as a DG.
- Installation may not be performed as a replacement of a Horizontal Situational Indicator (HSI).
- May not replace any instruments that are part of an autopilot system.
- The replaced instruments may NOT be part of an autopilot or primary navigational display, such as an integrated autopilot system, autopilot heading bug source, attitude source, CDI, HSI or flight director display.
- All GPS deviation data is limited to VFR operations only. (It does not provide IFR compliant lateral or vertical guidance)
Although we now have a plethora of available glass panel products, the technical nuances and certification limitations necessitate consultation with a trusted avionics specialist to ensure you choose an upgrade solution that suits both your needs and your budget. Maxcraft has most of the new glass displays on hand at our facility; come by to have a look and to chat about your upgrade needs and to see what might work for you.
Note: Prices referenced are for the equipment at manufacturers published list price in US dollars.
|
|
|
Vendor Profile: Aspen Avionics
|
|
Aspen Avionics – A new way to look at avionics ™
Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Aspen Avionics specializes in bringing the most advanced display and sensor technology from the commercial and business aviation markets into general aviation cockpits—and budgets. Together, our Evolution Flight Display System, and NexNav™ GPS sensors help enable the aviation community to affordably meet the FAA’s NextGen mandate. Aspen is also responsible for introducing the industry’s first wireless technology that enables transmission of flight plans from an iPad to certified avionics with its patented Connected™ Panel. At Aspen Avionics, we design products to be affordable, easy to install, and easy to own.
Aspen Avionics was founded by aviation enthusiasts in 2004. Aspen’s first product, certified in November 2005, is the AT300 Hazard Awareness Display, a combined terrain awareness display and vertical speed indicator. It is designed to directly replace a mechanical vertical speed indicator, and is certified under TSO C8d (Vertical Speed Indicator) and TSO C113 (Multipurpose Electronic Display).
|
The company raised its first round of venture capital in December 2005, and closed a Series B round in June 2007, to facilitate its continued strong growth. The Company’s investors include Granite Ventures, Spring Capital, Wasatch Venture Fund, Fort Washington Capital Partners, and Sun Mountain Capital. Led by industry veteran John Uczekaj, Aspen Avionics’ team of top talent—with deep roots in aviation product development and certification—will continue to grow the company’s business through pioneering solutions for the general aviation market.
|
|
|
|
Paul joined us four years ago, in February 2018 as an apprentice Avionics Technician and just a few months ago passed his Transport Canada exams and received his Aircraft Maintenance Engineer ‘E’ (Electronic Systems) license.
Paul attended the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) avionics program at their Aerospace campus just down the street from Vancouver International Airport. 16 months after starting the program he graduated and had his first day at Maxcraft just a month later.
Before BCIT, Paul dipped his toes in the video game design field at the Art Institute of Vancouver, but after hearing horror stories about the industry from friends, he decided to pursue his true passion of aviation.
Paul has had an interest in aviation from a very young age. With airshows, playing with flight simulators and just a general interest in anything that could fly. His favourite thing about aviation is the fascinating nature of the industry with such a diverse range of people and flying machines. Being a global industry, it lends itself to endless interesting opportunities to travel and explore the world!
Along with his AME license, Paul got his private pilot license last fall. When he isn’t building time towards his commercial license, he can be found taking photos using analog cameras, cooking, or working on his 70s Japanese sports car.
When Paul was younger, he used to play rugby, although his knees show the damage caused by that sport. Rugby wasn’t his only sport though, he was also a speed skater, even wearing the iconic skin-tight suits.
Although it’s not so secret, Paul is a huge nerd at heart and has always loved things like video games, Dungeons and Dragons, and other tabletop games. He also loves learning new things in the science and technology fields which he does plenty of while working with avionics.
|
|
Aspen Avionics pricing promo is on now for Class III and Helicopter. Check their website for more information.
- New Class 3 PFD
- Remanufactured Class 3 PFD
- Remanufactured Class 3 2000 System (Includes MFD1000 extended duration battery, SV, ADS-B integration)
- New EFD1000H PFD
- Remanufactured EFD1000H
- Remanufactured Legacy EFD1000 Pro PFD
|
|
Feb. 26 – 27,
2022
NA Conference & Tradeshow, Puyallup
|
|
Mar. 7 – 10, 2022
HAI Heli Expo
Dallas, Texas
|
|
Mar. 28-31, 2022
Aircraft Electronics Association
New Orleans, Lousiana
|
|
May 9 – 11
Northern Air Transport Assoc.
Yellowknife, NT
|
|
Sept 22
Winnipeg, Manitoba
|
|
Jun 14-16
Canadian Business Assoc.
Toronto, Canada
|
|
Things which do you no good in aviation:
- Altitude above you.
- Runway behind you.
- Fuel in the truck.
- Half a second in history.
- Approach plates in the car.
- The airspeed you don’t have.
|
|
|
|
If you would like more information or to pre-order please contact our sales department at sales@maxcraft.ca or 604-465-3080.
|
|
250 – 18799 Airport Way, Pitt Meadows Airport (CYPK), Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2B4
YVR Office – 4360 Agar Drive, Richmond BC V7B 1A4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
