On the 20th anniversary of its founding, Aspen Avionics unveiled a partnership with engine instrumentation manufacturer Electronics International to bring engine instruments to Aspen displays. The move fits with Aspen’s long-time goal of enabling customers to keep updating their displays to add functionality.
When it was introduced two decades ago, the Aspen Evolution primary flight display offered a unique way to upgrade older instrument panels, with a glass display that fits into and over two common 3.25-inch instrument holes. This eliminates the need to cut apart the instrument panel to fit larger displays while giving aircraft owners the benefits of a glass cockpit at a relatively reasonable price.
“We have kept with the hardware that can be used and reused,” said Aspen president and CEO John Uczekaj. “We haven’t succumbed to the bright shiny object avionics world where you’re constantly changing platforms and forcing the customer to swap out for new hardware. We will continue to stay true to our roots, which is our Aspen platform.”
Uczekaj explained that adding engine instruments is a natural follow-on to modern avionics developments. The first push was to upgrade cockpits with glass attitude indicators and horizontal situation indicators, then next-generation GPS navigators followed by digital autopilots.
“What we’re seeing now is a big push for engine instruments,” he said. “Pilots are getting much more sophisticated. The electronics that are coming into their aircraft [are] more sophisticated. They want more data and they want to be able to do more things.”
To add engine instruments to the Aspen displays, Electronics International will provide the probes and the EDC-33P engine data converter box that will send information to the Aspen displays. The upgrade will enable buyers to remove their existing RPM, manifold pressure, EGT/CHT, fuel level, oil temperature and pressure, volt/amp, fuel low, fuel pressure, and TIT gauges.
Aspen is demonstrating a beta version of the engine instrumentation at its EAA AirVenture booth and expects to receive FAA certification for the upgrade in mid-2025. No modifications other than a software upgrade are required for the Aspen Evolution MFD500 Max and MFD1000 Max multifunction displays to show the engine instruments.
At EAA AirVenture, Uczekaj also announced that Aspen has increased its factory warranty to three years from two for the Evolution Max and E5 displays. This includes unlimited transferable coverage and covers all system components regardless of hours accumulated.
Through July 31, Aspen is offering 20% to 30% discounts on Evolution displays to celebrate its 20th anniversary. “It’s a big vote of confidence in the reliability of our platform and for keeping the cost of flying down because things happen,” Uczekaj said.