Avidyne is moving further into the avionics market for larger aircraft with the introduction of a new flight management system (FMS) called Atlas. The Dzus-mounted FMS is aimed at turbine aircraft, as well as helicopters, and promises to add more life to airframes equipped with older avionics, in addition to modern capabilities for newer aircraft.
With a retail price starting at $44,999, the first Atlas STC is due next year. Atlas will interface directly with Collins Pro Line 21 and Honeywell Primus avionics by adding vertical guidance during approaches. The direct interface is a benefit of Avidyne’s GPS Legacy Avionics Support technology, according to Avidyne. “This unique integration capability enables EFISs certified before the availability of LPV approaches to have coupled approach guidance on these and other SBAS [satellite-based augmentation system] approaches,” said the company.
Atlas comes with SBAS, GPS, RNP and RNAV, LPV, LNAV, VNAV, LNAV-only, and approaches with vertical approach modes (APV). The FMS will meet TSO-C146c for full SBAS/LPV approach guidance, according to Avidyne.
The Atlas pilot interface includes flight planning with one-touch departure, airway, and arrival navigation, GeoFill waypoint nomination, Qwerty keyboard, and touchscreen. The touchscreen doubles as a “hybrid” user interface, allowing control of the FMS functions as well as displaying moving-map, SiriusXM Weather or ADS-B In weather, traffic from TCAS, TAS, or ADS-B In, and georeferenced Jeppesen approach plates and airport diagrams.
For installation approvals, Avidyne designed Atlas to interface with a variety of EFISs, PFDs, CDIs, HSIs, remote sensors, and autopilots, as well as transponders, for which Atlas is also an approved ADS-B position source.
Other Atlas features make the FMS even more useful, such as Wi-FI and Bluetooth; a USB charging port; integration with ForeFlight and other EFB apps; optional 16-Watt VHF com, VOR, localizer, and glideslope receiver; optional BendixKing radar display; and optional TAWS-B.