Story ID: 583Extant
Extant Agrees To Support Avidyne Displays
By: Charles Alcock
Caption: Obsolescence support specialist Extant will support the FlightMax EX5000-series multifunction displays.
Word Count: 291
Extant Aerospace announced a new licensing agreement with Avidyne through which it will provide continuing support of the avionics manufacturer’s FlightMax EX5000-series multifunction displays (MFDs). The Melbourne, Fla.-based company will provide exclusive aftermarket repair and exchange support for the displays, as well as manufacturing their circuit cards and subassemblies.
  
According to Extant CEO Jim Gerwien, the new contract is evidence of its growing involvement in electronics obsolescence support. “It’s reached the point where we are part of the strategic planning process for OEMs considering how they can continue to support products,” he told AIN. “We’re now even supporting second, third or even fourth product families for them.”
  
The strategic shift in emphasis towards electronics obsolescence management has shifted Extant’s business plan away from a dependence on military products. To emphasize its broadened range of activities, which used to be largely confined to component support, the company has rebranded itself as Extant Aerospace and has expanded its engineering facilities. It now works on increasingly sophisticated equipment, including radio frequency products.
  
Under an agreement with Extant announced this week at NBAA 2015, Avidyne (Booth C11540) will continue to field initial service calls from EX5000/C authorized dealers, service centers and operators needing help troubleshooting products or with new or existing AeroPlan warranty agreements. However, the OEM will refer these customers and support organizations to Extant for practical assistance.
  
The EX5000 MFDs entered the market in 2003, and more than 5,000 units have since been delivered for a variety of business and general aviation aircraft. The displays were designed to present navigation, radar, datalink weather, lightning, traffic and terrain data in a large-screen format that interfaces with multiple systems and sensors.