aspen avionics problems aspen avionics problems

uncommandedresets. I have a 1982 A36 with a Century III autopilot. After some quick help from Aspen, it was discovered that the Z axis of the Magnetometer Guass sensor in the RSM had failed. I wont turn this into a this is better than that, but one factremains true: Rarely- if ever - doesa G500/GADxx product haveanywhere near these issues; nor do theyfail todisplay anything for which they wereintended. I was customer number five and the first in Kansas City. December 30, 2019 in Avionics/Panel Discussion. While Aspen has been responsive in trying to resolve the issue I will describe below..I am posting here to try and get the word out to see if others are experiencing the same problems with the Aspen E5 to see if the community can shed some more light on what is going on with the Aspen E5. As a result, we are adopting this AD for certain Aspen EFD1000 PFD, EFD1000 MFD, EFD1000 EBD, and EFD500 MFD units installed on various airplanes. COO could not confirm it, but that is likely from Aspen sales data. Greatly summarized, the FAA says to disable ADS-B In on EFD1000 and EFD500 units, then update the Airplane Flight Manual . But the STC does allow removing the vacuum system. This is our policy. Your previous content has been restored. This is particularly critical when flying approaches and other precise procedures. Job specializations: Engineering. This will work in the same fashion . I've had to replace my PFD-1000 and now the EA-100 is problematic. Between our full-time technicians, we have over 50 years combined . I had an E5 installed into my E model back at annual in May. And that's sad for a $7k (installed) piece. Its still significant dollars and not headache-free to go glass with the Aspen. Check out the capabilities and the information available on Aspen Avionics displays when shooting an approach. Aspen Avionics specializes in bringing the most advanced technology and capability into General Aviation cockpitsand budgets. The AD does not apply to MAX displays that have been updated to software version 2.10.2 or any legacy Aspen Avionics displays. We will be able to go from there. You cannot paste images directly. IN . Would be possible for sure though, just not fun. GPS groundspeed (GS) and barometric pressure setting are shown in the data bar and when any of these values are either invalid or not available, the field is dashed. The RSM installs much like an external GPS antenna and its placement in an interference-free area on the top of the fuselage is critical for accurate heading resolution. New technology always takes some time to shake out the bugs, so now that there are hundreds of units out there in the field, we surveyed users to see if the reality is living up to the marketing copy. Another owner told us, Luckily the dealer-installer had three units on hand when my installation started, because we had to use parts of all three in order to get my unit to work. Upload or insert images from URL. Keep leadership and co-workers apprised of work progress and/or problems. Went for a test flight after an install of an Aspen EFD1000 in a Cessna 310. Well do a separate article on these systems when theyre available this spring, but we like what we saw. A couple of units failed completely random even had a DOA with one unit. Wish I could say the same about my GTN 650. Clear editor. Let that sink in. The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content. Mooneyspace.com It's tempting to decry the disappearance of the classic country airport. they have all failed more than once. He laughed, pulled some logs and it went nowhere. a working HSI, that could be a couple thousand dollars worth of credit. Even though there is plenty of reversionary capacity (the right display can function as a PFD if the main PFD in the center goes down), plus a standby remote battery that powers the display if the electrical system tanks, the installation still requires a backup attitude indicator. The fact that now itsa different box than whats on the AD illustratesthat Aspen hasvery, I do think part of the reason Garmin has fewer failures is the closed architecture that allows them to control what is interfaced with the pfds. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. I'll probably sell it at a loss and install dual G5s on my dime when the GFC500 is available for short bodies. Nearly half the respondents reported problems of one kind or another, but there was no smoking gun and many of these were in the earlier deliveries. In the case of the entry-level E5, you might end up retaining the existing attitude indicator even though the STC doesnt require one. When Aspen Avionics announced its retrofit PFD system in 2007, we were impressed with the designs ingenuity and its workable price point. Pulling the ADS-B circuit breaker as described in section 3.2.6 of the Flight Manual supplement, has been demonstrated to resolve the issue. SA10822SC. Page 74: Acu/Acu2 Installation. Aspen had a bad batch of RSM antennas at one point. The function of each key is indicated by a label on the display to the left of each key. I bought this system as it was supposed to be more reliable than my old KI-256/KI-525. Aspen Avionics has populated the field with over 20,000 Evolution EFIS displays over a 10-year span and is the latest to offer a budget-based EFIS with the $4995 EFD1000 E5 Dual EFI. The lower half of the EFI is the navigation display, which has 360-degree and ARC compass rose displays. My E5 didnt require any backups for IFR but I did have to leave the turn coordinator, airspeed and altimeter in the airplane. SPEAKER: Uczekaj is president and CEO of Aspen Avionics. Was the unit installed by an authorized Aspen dealer or not? In my case, I have a Garmin 496, so I am covered.. Aspen has continued to innovate through the years since, and rolled out its most recent upgrades to the Evolution MAX line in 2019. None of this seems to matter tho. Install an Aspen unit primarily if you need the functionality (slaved DG, GPSS). Aspen Owners Survey: An Overall Thumbs Up. Then suddenly the problems started. Sent to Aspen from external source. The AD goes into effect on Aug. 17, 2020, and is open for public comment until Sept. 14, 2020. 1st reset) On final approach to rwy in Feb - approach power/RPM, gear going down:::E5 replaced by Aspen in Mar. Mysteries Of Flight: The Curious Case Of Pan Am Flight 914, Fond Farewell to a Titan: The Antonov An-225, A Radial Engine Clock, Concorde Cufflinks And More Gear For Aviators, Garmin GI 275: Flight Instrument Revolution. Most owners did not need extensive work done unless they wanted to, but as noted already, a majority did the upgrade as part of other upgrades so new cables, antennas, other equipment and overlays were also installed. 35 instances of display systems automatically resetting have been reported. Hey PaulThere has been a lot of action lately from Aspen on this topic. Further, the size of the attitude gyro portion of the display is larger than the Castleberry electric, flight-director gyro it replaced. The setup and initial configuration is also critical, so our advice is to find a shop that has experience installing other Aspen systems. The company said it has a customer . $30 to $45 Hourly. The final EA100 came out of one of Aspens aircraft that had a good known working history. I need a reliable EA-100, not a shop and more thousands of dollars in addition to what I gave already spent to resolve this same issue many others have/are having. Required Actions (a section of the AD) drb930 That means the rest of the existing traditional instruments have to stay in the panel. A lot has been written about the size of the display. Remember, the interface requires a compatible IFR GPS navigator, and more than one navigator requires the installation of the optional ACU. He probably is getting the unit for a net $8100 and install is really $1900..who knows. It is probably rare but shows the importance of a thorough test flight after installing equipment such as this and hopefully you guys can learn something like we did. I believe it shares the same processor as the E5. @PeteMc The aircraft that was referenced was worked on June last year. The left and right buttons have no function on the E5. they have replaced parts in one plane 4 times. What Are the Best Aviation Headsets of 2020. Thanks for clarifying this. The FAA admits in the AD that the commentary period is largely mute because an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adoption.. Coming Soon: The Semi-Professional Pilot. FAA Issues AD For Aspen Evolution 2000 MAX, 2500 MAX Systems, Crew-6 Launch Scrubbed For Ground Systems Issue, The Drip, Drip Of Bad Publicity About 100LL. Was the unit installed by an authorized Aspen dealer or not?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro, Im confused about what is going on here. If we find the issue to be with the actual rsm tomorrow, that'll leave Aspen at a 0-2 score with us so far. Now it seems that I have to rebuy the system again in repairs? The latest iteration of this is a new app that emulates the functions of the Aspen EFD1000 flight display. Iron gyros and die? It took some getting used to. The rear chassis has pneumatic connections for tying into the aircrafts pitot and static systems (used for airspeed, altimetry and for other instrument resolutions). The Albuquerque, New Mexico, avionics firm known for delivering high-performance systems at lower price points announced February 2 that the $1,995 software . 1 review for Aspen Avionics E5. Definatly some pros over iron but you certainly get what you pay for. I'm posting your email here as I want others to see how I'm being treated by Aspen over their reliability issues. Between that, units consistently going out of cal especially in the cold, and the garbage clip-in panel mount (we've had a couple customers end up with the efd in their lap) it's pretty bad. Theyre more likely to recognize a hardware issue and have a replacement on hand. Rating. It doesnt follow the magenta [line] too well on tight curves. Interim Action:We consider this AD interim action. https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q=Aspen Andy&quick=1&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy&search_and_or=and. Picture of panel for info. Poll: Did You Watch the Dragon Splashdown? Discussion in 'Avionics and Upgrades' started by bd95r, Dec 29, 2019. Paste as plain text instead, If this is something that's been happening in the last few months, please post more details!! But for some owners, overall satisfaction was a tough call. The biggest gripe is resolving hardware issues right after the install. My big concern is what happens when the warranty runs out. Another complaint we saw was, surprisingly, the heat generated by the unit. 2 different Aspen 1000 PFD's 3 different ACU's Replaced Ethernet cable Checked wiring. Since we issued SAIB SW-18-31, additional analysis of the reports of uncommanded resets and the nature of the possible unsafe condition were evaluated, and we have determined that a more urgent safety need requiring AD action is necessary. Each press of this CDI nav source button selects the next available nav source, cycling through all available sources in a round-robin sequence. More information is available here and you can comment on the AD here through March 11:https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2018-1085-0001, though given that the FAA employee who is managing the AD has been shut down, and the commentary period runs past the final adoption date, commentary seems a bit optimistic. Like every other Aspen PFD, the E5 comes with an RSM, or remote sensor module, which works together with the sensors inside the E5 for 3D magnetic heading and GPS computations. If youre used to those first-gen Evolution displays, even the entry-level E5s display will look and perform better. A year later, they were shipping and the field results were mixed: Capable technology but the installations werent going as smoothly as hoped and there was a higher-than-expected failure rate. I have tried - August 5, 2020 By Jim Moore. With an iron gyro, it can AND WILL do this, but give you no flags, no faults and your autopilot can and will follow it. But we did get enough answers to see that the labor for just the Aspen install is running between $1500 and $5000. ADS600-B, Part Numbers 200-0012 and 200-0013. Thanks for your input here and your help in the past over on BT. We were able to replace the RSM, recalibrate, and finish the airplane. Think basic utility. While the Aspen can run for 30 minutes on its internal battery, total power loss would leave you with no navigation ability. But Aspen also offers other displays with more advanced features at higher price points, which muddies the buying decision. https://mooneyspace.com/topic/32905-aspen-pro-max-issues-communication-from-aspen-avionics/, https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/719027/pn/010-GI275-06, https://aspenavionics.com/pdfs/991-00144-002_(_)_OA2020-01_MAX_EFD1000__E5_Reset_Event.pdf, https://www.bendixking.com/en/products/aeroflight, (You must log in or sign up to reply here. Image: Aspen Avionics. The main electronics are contained in the unit, including a sensor board with solid-state AHRS (attitude and heading reference system), plus a digital ADC (air data computer) thats also built into the gyro can. For the difference in price, Aspen will, however, have an upgrade path for the E5, which turns it into a TSOd 1000-series display that can support higher-end features including synthetic vision, AoA and onscreen wind data to name a few. SA10822SC. Alternatively, the FAA recommends disabling the ADS-B IN (FIS-B) option. He doesn't have traffic on his Aspen, making it doubly not applicable. Folks coming from other glass panels had little or no trouble with the transition, while others recommended a few hours with an Aspen-knowledgeable instructor. That would make a perfect replacement for your turn coordinator. And another had to have a warranty exchange on the mfd that just shit out right after installation. I don't think any shop will be able to diagnose it any better than I can as I am an installer. Probably even would spring for a mfd1000 max to make it legal. Unlike Garmins G5 series, which are two separate instruments (attitude and directional), Aspens E5 combines both an electronic DG and attitude display. This is what it is supposed to do per the STC. Pasted as rich text. Thats a drastic shift from previous Aspen upgrades, particularly ones that include multiple TSOd screens like the one pictured in the Cirrus panel here. To enable them, right-click the protocol and select Enable from the context menu. Americas owner-flown aircraft enthusiasts and active-pilot resource, delivered to your inbox! The FAA cautioned that an aircraft with multiple Aspen displays, the issue could result in loss of all altitude and airspeed reference during the reset period.. The non-TSOd, STC-approved EFD1000 E5 EFI is Aspens answer to Garmins budget-based G5 EFIS displays. After 10 seconds of inactivity, the knob returns to its default setting. We think the E5 has an intuitive feature set thats rather shallow compared to higher-end Aspen displays, and Aspen took a logical approach to the user experience. Before the next flight in IMC or at night, or within 25 hours time-in-service, whichever occurs first: Read more here: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2018-1085-0001. During the time of the reset, the pilot might not have any EFD displayed information including access to altitude and airspeed for up to one minute. I have heard of issues where the the installer used the wrong connectors, wrong Ethernet cable, wrong location of the RSM, etc. 2023 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, installed Aspens first FAA-certified primary flight display, Garmin GFC 500 autopilot approved for more aircraft models, Aspen software update enables autopilot integration, Boeing, NASA to develop sustainable airliner. Disable the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) In function in each unit by following the Procedure, paragraphs 5.2.a. Important parts of the AD, all directly quoted: The FAA believes around 2,000 aircraft may be affected. Founded in 2004 by aviation enthusiasts, Aspen Avionics has a history of punching above its weight, having long battled Garmin to gain a significant share of the general aviation avionics market. Our club has three Aspen Pro Max with synthetic vision in our planes. . Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this. Is it not obvious to me and many others that there are intermittent problems that Aspen should be learning from failed units like this in 300 hours? Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, What Instrument Pilots Need to Know About Flying Ice-Free in Winter, Whelen Engineering to Acquire LoPresti Aviation. Press J to jump to the feed. You can post now and register later. The EFD1000 Pro and supporting hardware is $9995. Apply online instantly. Thats important given its small size. If it can replace a KI-256, and its from a well established company, it would be worth the premium to me. All rights reserved. The cause of this safety issue is currently under investigation; however, preliminary information suggests that the cause of the continuous reset is related to the ADS-B IN interface. Beech Lister John R. provides the following quote for his upcoming Aspen install: The bottom line w/my A&P. $9995 installed ($8995.00 unit an $1000 install). "Evolution Pro MAX 101" is designed to cover basic functionality of the Pro MAX series with an eye toward helping users "streamline their flight operations." The course is hosted by Aspen . There are notable exceptions, but they seem to be clustered in the earlier installs, which is the trend we want to see. We are having almost identical issues in a 1994 Saratoga II HP with a legacy KAP150 autopilot, the EA100, and a GTN750 for a navigator. Based solely on $$ though, they're not true competitors. Additionally, the first click when the knob is turned (or the first press on the knob) wakes up the knobs function. But I do agree that hardware failures are prevalent. Apply for a Total Aviation Staffing, LLC Avionics Maintenance Technician job in Aspen, CO. Use the CB Insights Platform to explore Aspen Avionics's full profile. Problem is that Aspen does not have any loaner units that I have found which seems ridiculous considering Aspen's reliability issues which are well spoken on these forums. - I've flown about 80 hours since original E5 install I don't trust it. Paste as plain text instead, All installations are done under and in accordance with the STC. There are still a disproportionate number of failures of Aspen boxes and EA100 adapters to warrantthe FAA to issue an AD. The RSM contains a GPS receiver, the magnetometer and accelerometers. Aspen, CO. The reset occurs between five- to ten-minute intervals. Job. Like every other Aspen Evolution PFD, the new E5 is several instruments in one. aspen avionics problems. - I reviewed the logs sent to Aspen.I can see nothing other than what appear to be normal bootups Familiarity with avionics manufactures such as Garmin, Bendix-King, Honeywell, Avidyne, Aspen Avionics, Freeflight Systems to name a few . I hope you can understand and empathize with me of the frustration that I have had with Aspen for about 330 hours of flight. I wish that was the case here, those problems would be an easy fix! Resetting the AHRS each time we got it to fail 3 times in a row. Familiarity with avionics manufacturers such as Garmin, Bendix-King, Honeywell, Avidyne, Aspen Avionics, Freeflight . The good news is that Aspen support was praised. Im marginally satisfied because we have had so much warranty work done on the system. Unlike higher-end Aspen displays, the E5 doesnt have a traditional electronic HSI, but instead a basic CDI below the compass rose. Three of the five keys along the lower right side of the EFI function as either single-action hot keys for frequently used commands or as menu keys when the E5s menu has been activated. The FAA has recently been notified that there have been numerous reports of Aspen EFD1000 PFD, EFD1000 MFD, EFD1000 EBD, and EFD500 MFD units with software version 2.9 and the ADS-B IN (FIS-B . Now you want me to spend $1000's more than I already have over this issue to have a DEALER tell me what I already know? But its not a big deal. The E5 is approved under an AML-STC (approved model list supplemental type certificate), which blankets over 300 aircraft models. Going after the AV-30 form factor for sure. Aspen / Century and all analog Auto pilotProblems. By Rated 4 out of 5. He praises the engine's Millennium cylinders. RSM issues are by no means a deal breaker, but you. Shortly after that they figured out it was software and stopped swapping out the hardware. We are currently recruiting an Avionics Maintenance Technician for one of our clients. I'm not giving up though and looking to get this fixed.Aspen has been in this business a long time and I would expect that they will be able to figure it out. Founded in 2004 by aviation enthusiasts, Aspen Avionics has a history of punching above its weight, having long battled Garmin to gain a significant share of the general aviation avionics market. The $4,995 upgrade converts the E5 to a full, TSOed MAX displaycontinuing to demonstrate the company's commitment to avionics platforms that can grow with a pilot's needs. 2011 Piper Mirage 950 Hours SNEW, Garmin G1000 Avionics with SVT, ADS-B Compliant, GFC700 Autopilot, Honeywell Active Traffic, FIKI Liked by Adam Mabry JUST LISTED! On February 25, 2020, Aspen Avionics, Inc. (Aspen), notified the FAA of 35 instances of software interacting with a graphics processing chip defect and causing an automatic reset to occur on Aspen EFD1000 Emergency Backup Display, EFD1000 Multi-Function Display, and EFD1000 Primary Flight Display systems.