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ADR Florida and AvidyneAvidyne and ADR-Florida to Deliver Worldwide Satellite Datalink Weather on Electric Flight Bag DisplaysADR Electronic Flight Bags support worldwide weather, moving map, trip planning and text messaging with Avidyne MLX-Series Datalink Systems; New MLX display option provides Part 25 operators with access to affordable satellite datalink weather solution. EBACE-Geneva – Tuesday, May 12, 2009Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated flight deck and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, announced today that they have partnered with Advanced Data Research Florida, Inc. (ADR Florida) to deliver worldwide datalink graphical weather and text messaging using Avidyne’s MLX770/MLX780 Iridium-based datalink transceivers and ADR’s Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) products. The addition of an EFB interface extends the Avidyne MLX Series’ display compatibility, providing another display option for Part 23 and Part 25 aircraft operators in Europe and around the world who want access to the safety-enhancing benefits of satellite datalink weather. These aircraft may now utilize value-priced EFBs running Avidyne’s FlightMax Multi-function Display (MFD) software with an Avidyne MLX Series transceiver to achieve the same levels of in-flight awareness and two-way communications capability as other Avidyne-equipped customers. “We are very pleased to partner with Avidyne to make datalink weather available for our EFB customers around the world,” said Michael Schmidt, Vice President of Aviation Sales of ADR Florida. “Avidyne’s proven datalink experience, recognized MFD interface, and the fact that they operate their own Network Operation Center (NOC) uniquely position them as the premier provider of worldwide datalink weather.” “ADR is a great launch partner for Avidyne as we continue to grow our MLX product reach into the Part 25 market,” said Patrick Herguth, Avidyne’s Chief Operating Officer. “We worked closely with the ADR engineers to port our existing MFD software into their EFBs, which reduced time to market and provided a full-featured and industry-standard user interface that pilots will really appreciate for accessing worldwide datalink weather.” “Adding EFB support for our MLX series of datalink transceivers is in line with our strategy to make our safety-enhancing products available to a wider market,” said Avidyne president Dan Schwinn. “Avidyne is all about making avionics that are simpler and easier to use, which equates to making flying safer, and this partnership brings our easy-to-use MFD pilot interface and our industry-leading safety sensor technology to business-class aircraft operators around the world.” About the MLX770/MLX780Utilizing Avidyne’s Network Operations Center (NOC) and the 66-satellite Iridium® constellation, the MLX Series (MLX770 & MLX780) datalink transceivers are approved to TSO C159 for “Avionics Supporting Next Generation Satellite Systems (NGSS),” opening up a new worldwide market for datalink weather display systems and services for general aviation aircraft. The MLX770 is a single-channel Iridium transceiver that provides WSI’s industry-leading InFlight® weather data products for display on on Avidyne’s Entegra EX5000 and EX500 Multi-Function Displays (MFD), as well as on Electronic Flight Bags from Advanced Data Research and other manufacturers. The MLX770 is certified and flying now on aircraft around the world. All existing MLX770 datalink-only systems are fully upgradeable to the MLX780 for datalink and telephone capability, which will be available later this year. Standard weather products include worldwide graphical METARs, textual METARs, and TAFs; Radar is offered as a Premium service. Additionally, the MLX770 and MLX780 provide convenient two-way text messaging between your airborne MFD/EFB and compatible ground-based SMS-capable mobile phones or e-mail addresses, allowing pilots to communicate with family and friends from their aircraft while in flight. Avidyne plans to add other weather products in the near future including Winds & Temps Aloft, in-flight weather advisories (NOTAMs), SATRad® radar, and Lightning. The compact MLX770/MLX780 datalink transceiver weighs only 1.64 kgs (3.6 lbs.) and is contained in a 152mm x 280mm x 76mm (6.0”x11.0”x3.0”) box and can be mounted with or without the optional mounting tray. The ANT77 Iridium patch antenna measures 88mm-diameter x 14mm high (3.5” dia x ¾”) and fits easily on virtually any general aviation aircraft or helicopter. About the ADR EFBsThe Avidyne MLX series of transceivers are compatible with all current production ADR EFB’s. The FG-7100, built on the venerable Fujitsu P-1630 platform, is enhanced with screen [dimming] modifications and a proprietary software shell making it a powerful tool for use on the flight deck. The capability of these machines is enhanced even more with the ADR recommended solid state hard drive and RAM upgrades. In addition to aeronautical charts, GPS data, checklists and other important in-flight information, the bright, 8.9-inch, fully passive touch screen puts Avidyne’s real-time worldwide weather at the operator’s fingertips. Pricing and AvailabilityThe MLX770 Two-Way Datalink Transceiver promotional price is $9,990 USD, including antenna and two years (or 200 hours) of free weather data service. Customers who purchase a MLX770 now can enjoy the significant benefits of datalink weather during the thunderstorm season and upgrade to the MLX780 for only $2,000 USD when it becomes available later this year. This upgrade is available for both current and new MLX770 owners. For added installation savings, Avidyne is encouraging customers who want to add voice capability to their aircraft to install a MLX770 with provisional wiring for the MLX780 telephone, so they can get the benefits of satellite datalink weather now and make it easier to add airborne telephone capability later this year. Standard Worldwide Datalink Weather Service pricing starts as low as $50 USD per month for 10 hours of flying with the Basic Service plan. Premium Services plans cost approximately $115 USD per month for 10 hours of flying. Worldwide Iridium Telephone calls are $1.00- $1.50 USD per minute. Initial deliveries of the MLX780 are expected in Q4 2009. Avidyne and DAC International are accepting orders now. For information, international customers can contact DAC International, Inc. via telephone at +1 512.331.5323 in the USA or via e-mail at avidyne@dacint.com. Contact ADR for pricing and availability of EFB products. About ADR (www.adrsoft.com)ADR is a 19 year old technology company headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida with support facilities in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The company introduced the first commercially based EFB in 1999 as a vehicle for emerging digital applications in aviation charting. ADR currently provides EFB’s to several aircraft OEMs and large flight departments around the world. It also provides software services enabling customers to realize the true potential of their EFB. Having fielded over 9000 EFB’s in business, military and transport level aircraft, ADR is still the leading provider of electronic flight bags today. About DAC International, Inc. (www.dacint.com)DAC International, Inc. is the designated sales representative for all of Avidyne Corporation’s aftermarket business outside of the United States. DAC is an avionics sales and distribution company that specializes in the sale and distribution of sophisticated avionics products, systems and test equipment to the world's airlines, corporate aircraft, modification centers, aircraft manufacturers, special mission, and military markets. In support of our clients, DAC's dedicated sales professionals offer a combined total of over 160-man-years experience serving these markets. DAC has established 392 dealerships around the world for the sale and support of products we distribute.
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