PlaneMadness Episode 41
Arrival Time: 18:44
Wright Time: 4.5
Join me for my interview with Tom Harper of Avidyne Corporation as he tells us about their new MLX770 Receiver as well as some other Avidyne products. It’s an interesting look at the cutting edge of aviation technology, both existing and to come. I also contrast what’s available for general aviation against what we have at the airline level, so you can really see where general aviation’s going.
It makes for an interesting discussion about the future of flight as far as the technology end of it goes. Additionally, we discuss highway in the sky technology and Avidyne’s plans for that as well.
You can check out Avidyne’s website and get more information at www.Avidyne.Com. Below is additional information from Avidyne’s website about some of the various products we discussed in the interview.
Enjoy 
-Capt’n Chris
MLX770 Two-Way Datalink Receiver
Avidyne’s new MLX770 delivers aviation-quality weather data via the Iridium Satellite Network for display on Avidyne’s Entegra and EX500/EX5000-series multi-function displays. The MLX770 opens up the world for affordable two-way airborne datalink communications. With the MLX770, you now have access to the radar mosaic for virtually all of Western Europe at launch and a large portion of the rest of the world by the end of 2008.
The MLX770 provides two-way text messaging from your airborne MFD via SMS text messaging to any ground-based SMS-capable mobile phones. Your family and friends can even send a text message to you in your airplane. With the MLX770, you also have the ability to send and receive text messages while flying, allowing you to communicate with someone on the ground via an e-mail connection or a mobile telephone.
TWX670 Tactical Weather Detection System
Introducing the TWX670 Tactical Weather Detection System - Lightning is the first physical property of a storm cell that can be detected, and unlike precipitation, lightning is the best determinant of dangerous thunderstorm activity. Avidyne’s new TWX670 is a second-generation lightning-based weather detection system that provides a simple and intuitive color-contoured display with instantaneous picture of surrounding weather.
PlaneMadness Episode 41 Show Notes:
http://www.planemadness.com/2008/10/28/planemadness-episode-41/
Follow Me on Twitter!
www.twitter.com/planemadness
Caller Feedback Line…
I need some feedback!
714-709-4633
Copyright 2008
All Rights Reserved
Filed under: Podcast | 
| 
Hi Chris,
I stumbled on your podcast site recently and am loving the aviation related podcasts.
I have also been catching up by downloading the previous podcasts but don’t seem to be able to download episodes 1 to 9. Are they still available?
Thanks,
John
Hi Johnnygal,
Thanks for the compliments. No. 1-9 are archived in the PC’s & Mac’s they made it onto, but that’s about it. Thanks for signing up as well..
Also check out http://www.Gravatar.Com to have a free avatar here… fyi
Capt’n Chris
Avidyne Receives TSO Approval for MLX770
Avidyne Press Release: Click here
Innovative New MLX770 Enhances Safety for GA Pilots Around the World using WSI InFlight® Weather via the global Iridium® Satellite Network
Lincoln, MA – Monday, November 03, 2008 – Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated flight deck and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, announced today that their new MLX770 two-way datalink transceiver has received FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval, opening up a new worldwide market for datalink weather display systems and services – a market presently un-served by anyone in general aviation.
The MLX770 was approved to TSO C159 for “Avionics Supporting Next Generation Satellite Systems (NGSS).” Utilizing Avidyne’s proven Network Operations Center (NOC) and capitalizing on the reach and reliability of the 66-satellite global Iridium Satellite Network, the MLX770 delivers strategic datalink weather services to Entegra- and EX500-equipped aircraft operating throughout the world, including Europe, Australia, and Latin America.
The MLX770 is initially targeted to the large installed base of Avidyne-equipped aircraft already flying worldwide, including the more than 600 Entegra-equipped Cirrus SR20s and SR22s based in Europe.
“Getting TSO approval for the MLX770 paves the way for Avidyne to begin fulfilling the large backlog of orders for this hot new market-defining product,” said Avidyne president Dan Schwinn. “With our already-proven NOC, certification by Iridium, and our partnership with WSI for weather content, we have all the wheels in motion to meet the demand for this highly-anticipated safety enhancement system around the world.”
“We congratulate Avidyne for getting their TSO and bringing this safety-enhancing capability to market on schedule,” said Mark D. Miller, Vice President and General Manager of WSI’s Aviation Business. “Through our partnership with Avidyne, international aircraft operators can now enjoy the safety and operational benefits of WSI aviation weather that was previously available only in North America,” continued Miller.
From the FAA Website:
Technical Standard Orders (TSO)
A TSO is a minimum performance standard for specified materials, parts, and appliances used on civil aircraft. When authorized to manufacture a material, part, or appliances to a TSO standard, this is referred to as TSO authorization. Receiving a TSO authorization is both design and production approval.
Receiving a TSO Authorization is not an approval to install and use the article in the aircraft. It means that the article meets the specific TSO and the applicant is authorized to manufacture it.