Chronicle 004
SEE VIDEO DEMO BELOW … Continuing to improve the product. Aspen releases another free software update.
At the end of the year my last Chronicle outlined a software upgrade from Aspen Avionics for the EFD family of products. Well, another has just been released, and it’s one all owners will want to have – and those who don’t own an ASPEN product may have greater incentive to “go glass” with this added functionality.
These upgrades are a result of ASPEN listening to customer input, something many companies don’t do in today’s world. As pilots we are certainly the best group to comment on enhancements that will add safety and operational ease to our primary and secondary flight instruments. Plus, the unique nature of the ASPEN EFD product line allows these changes to be made as easy as it is to update a database. Since they do change the operating system they have to be signed off by an avionics technician, but with three tubes to update and the paperwork, my shop has less than an hour’s labor.
Unlike many companies, and software manufacturers, these updates from ASPEN are free – not much in general aviation today can boast that price!
The ASPEN product is so visual that I have made a 13 minute video to demonstrate the capabilities you get on a single PFD or a multi-tube system. Pass along this Chronicle link to other owner/pilots who have ASPEN on board. I am surprised at how many owners don’t do these upgrades when available.
Expand the video when you start viewing by passing your mouse over the video screen and then clicking on the “expand” icon next to the Vimeo logo on the bottom right of the screen. This will provide full screen access to the detail I am showing.
Congratulations on your recent accomplishments! During my frequent visits to the ASPEN booth at Airventure 2011, I learned of new software (2.3.1), new hardware (ACU-2), and new certification efforts (Robinson helicopters, several Class III aircraft added to the AML). With the ability of the ACU-2 to interface to the Bendix M-4 series autopilot, I was anticipating some good news for MU-2 owners; however, I was again disappointed to hear of apparently little progress toward adding our airplane to the Evolution Approved Model List. Did I misunderstand?
Given recent approvals for such aircraft as the Cessna 421, KingAir B100, and Beech 99 (nice panel photos on your site, incidentally), I would continue to urge ASPEN to bring the Mitsubishi MU-2 into the fold! My MU-2B-20 is ready for *two* Evolution PFD’s whenever you are…
Phil is right – 2.3.1 is a great upgrade. I urge anyone who hasn’t done it yet to consider doing so. It will measurably improve your flying experience and make your Evolution installations much more user-friendly.