Installation manual

Avidyne | DFC90, 100 FAQs (Last updated: 26 June 2012)
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on the flight controls during coupled (AP) operations be avoided. For DFC90 (Release 2
or later) or DFC100 configurations (all versions), a “SERVO LIMIT” text message will
be displayed on the PFD page if the mechanical limit switch has been tripped in the roll
trim motor. If you see this message, know that lateral tracking accuracy will likely be
impaired until the input condition generating this message has been removed (e.g. pilot
stops making a “helping” control input). (updated 10 Oct 2011)
Schedule, Pricing and Availability Questions
(DFC90, 100) How much will these autopilots cost? Pricing (and any introductory or
promotional deals) are published on the Avidyne website at
http://avidyne.com/products/dfc100/index.asp
http://avidyne.com/products/dfc90/index.asp
(DFC90, 100) Where or how do I purchase a DFC autopilot? There are two options
available to you. Either contact your local Avidyne Dealer or contact Avidyne Sales
directly.
(DFC90) I’ve got an older Avidyne PFD (pre-Release 7). Am I eligible for this
upgrade? Yes. There may be an additional charge to bring the PFD up to Release 7
levels and then the Release 8 fee. Because pricing is subject to change, we recommend
contacting Avidyne Sales for the current pricing story.
(DFC90, 100) What if I didn’t have Flight Director before – will I have Flight Director
following an upgrade to DFC and is there an extra charge? If you did not have flight
director prior to an upgrade to DFC90/100, you will have it as part of the basic
DFC90/100 package and there is no extra charge for that.
(DFC90, 100) When will the autopilots be available for installation? The DFC90 are
DFC100 are certified for Cirrus and PA46-350 aircraft. Over 750 have been installed to
date. For those installations that will be using an Aspen PFD, we expect certification in
2012. (updated 10 Oct 2011)
(DFC90) What does a typical DFC90 installation in an Avidyne-equipped Cirrus
involve? The upgrade to the DFC90 is a two-part upgrade – the PFD is modified in
order to communicate with the DFC90 and then the DFC90 itself. The hardware mods to
the PFD are called “Mod 55” and the software needs to be at Release 8.0.3 or later. The
hardware upgrade must happen at the Avidyne factory/service center but once a PFD has
“Mod 55”, the software can be updated in the field at an authorized Avidyne Service
Center. The second part of the DFC90 upgrade is to replace the STec flight control
computer with the Avidyne DFC90 flight control computer. Some customers have
already had the Mod 55 part completed and will only need the PFD software updated and
the autopilot flight control computers swapped. As of DFC90 Release 2, there is also an
optional flap wiring mod to bring flap position information into the DFC90 autopilot.