SUN ‘N FUN, LAKELAND, FL—April 8, 2008—Avidyne Corporation announced today that it’s TWX670 Tactical Weather Detection System will now be offered with a “Compatibility Mode” that provides a second output format for display of monochromatic lightning strike and storm cell information on a number of existing lightning detection-compatible displays.  The TWX 670’s normal RS-232 output protocol supports the TWX670’s TWxCell™ and Color Strike modes on compatible displays including the Avidyne EX500, EX5000 and MHD300.  With this “Compatibility Mode,” the TWX670 now provides an alternate protocol that is compatible with a large number of displays produced by other manufacturers, allowing these existing operators access to the increased accuracy and situational awareness the TWX670 provides.

“The addition of ‘Compatibility Mode’ makes it possible for an expanded universe of general aviation aircraft owners to take advantage of the TWX670’s unique safety benefits without the need for a 3rd-party display software change,” said Tom Harper, Avidyne’s Director of Marketing.  “Even in aircraft that have a compatible Avidyne display, ‘Compatibility Mode’ makes it possible to simultaneously display the TWX670’s lightning detection data on other displays in the cockpit for added redundancy and increased safety.”

The TWX670 has seven discrete RS-232 output ports to drive multiple Avidyne MFDs, or any combination of compatible 3rd-party MFD or electronic flight bag (EFBs) displays.  Other display options made possible by the TWX670’s “Compatibility Mode” include the popular GNS400/500 series, Honeywell KMDX50-Series MFDs, and the Sandel SN3308 and SN3500-series Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicators (EHSIs) among others.

“Avidyne is an industry leader in delivering products that provide customers with the most interface options, and more interface options provide greater flexibility and reduce installation costs for our customers,” said Matt Nuffort, Avidyne’s Product Manager for Safety Systems. “Our EX500 MFD interfaces with 19 different radars and all of the popular traffic systems including TCAS, TAS and TIS.  Our dual-antenna TAS600 traffic advisory system interfaces with displays from more than a dozen different manufacturers, as well.  The TWX670 with ‘Compatibility Mode’ is just the latest example of our commitment to developing safety systems that are compatible with all the popular display options and provide safety benefits to the largest number of aircraft.”

Pricing and Availability
The TWX670 has received TSO and ETSO and is currently available for retrofit in existing fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, with a list price of $7,995. The TWX670 is fully compatible with Avidyne’s MHD300 3-ATI Multi-Hazard Display, supporting all color modes including TWxCell and Color Strike Modes.

TWX670 v002 software with ‘Compatibility Mode’ is field-upgradeable for units currently in the field with v001 software.

Avidyne’s EX500 MFD requires an upgrade to software v3.0.2 which will support the display of TWX670 monochrome strikes and expanded range (0-200nm).  V3.0.2 is available in mid-Q2 2008.  An upgrade will be available in a future EX500 MFD software update to support TWxCell and Color Strike Modes

Avidyne’s Entegra/EX5000 MFD with Release 7.0 currently supports the display of TWX670 monochrome strikes and expanded range (0-200nm). This configuration is currently flying on the new Piper Matrix aircraft. An upgrade will be available in a future MFD software update to support TWxCell and Color Strike Modes

About Avidyne Corporation
Avidyne’s continuing leadership in innovation and its Flying Made Simple™ system design make flying safer, more accessible and more enjoyable for pilots and their passengers. The company’s expanding line of products include Entegra integrated flight decks for new aircraft, Envision integrated flight decks for existing aircraft, datalink-capable EX5000 and EX500 multi-function displays and the dual-antenna TAS600 series of active traffic advisory systems, the MLB700 broadcast datalink receiver and the TWX670 Tactical Weather Detection system. Headquartered in Lincoln, MA, the company has facilities in Columbus, OH, Melbourne, FL, and Boulder, CO.

Avidyne®, Entegra™ and Envision® are trademarks of Avidyne Corporation. All other products or services are identified by trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

Source: Avidyne Corporation
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