Avidyne Entegra
Encyclopedia
Avidyne Entegra is an integrated aircraft instrumentation system, produced by Avidyne Corporation
, consisting of a primary flight display
(PFD), and multi-function display
(MFD). Cirrus became the first customer of the Entegra system and began offering it on the SR20
and SR22
aircraft in 2003 as the first integrated flight deck for light general aviation
(GA). The original Entegra system, which is currently at Release 9 software, was designed to use third-party components such as a GPS from Garmin
and an autopilot
system from S-TEC Corporation
.
One of the advantages of these glass flight deck systems is upgradeability. Avidyne has demonstrated this with a continuous stream of hardware and software upgrades, including:
Avidyne has introduced a new attitude-based digital autopilot, the DFC100, which can replace the rate-based STEC 55X autopilot in most Release 9 installations.
Entegra Release 9 is considered a 3rd-generation integrated flight deck because it is built on a brand new hardware platform using a modular architecture, dual Byteflight digital databus, all new fully digital radio designs, and incorporating a unique Page & Tab user interface and QWERTY-style FMS control/display unit that are designed to dramatically reduce workload during single-pilot IFR operations.
A typical Entegra Release 9 installation features two large-format IFD5000 Integrated Flight Displays (IFD), which are fully interchangeable for use as PFD or MFD. Since each IFD5000 is fully capable of performing the functions of the other, no unfamiliar or limited reversionary modes are required . In the unlikely event of a display failure, the remaining IFD5000 continues to operate as either display format with no loss of functionality.
Some competing glass flight deck systems have limited redundancy, lose critical functionality such as datalink weather, traffic, or even autopilot, and their failure modes force the pilot to learn composite display symbology and "reversionary modes."
and Chelton FlightLogic EFIS glass cockpits. However, there are significant differences with regard to the features, degree of integration, intuitive aspects of the design, and overall product utility. Note that the Chelton system is not typically found in airplanes that include the less expensive G1000 or Avidyne systems.
Avidyne Corporation
Avidyne Corporation is an avionics company based in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Avidyne is developer of Integrated Flight Deck Systems, multi-function displays, and traffic advisory systems for light general aviation aircraft. Headquartered in Lincoln, MA, the company has facilities in Columbus, OH,...
, consisting of a primary flight display
Primary flight display
A primary flight display or PFD is a modern aircraft instrument dedicated to flight information. Much like multi-function displays, primary flight displays are built around an LCD or CRT display device...
(PFD), and multi-function display
Multi-function display
A Multi-function display is a small screen in an aircraft surrounded by multiple buttons that can be used to display information to the pilot in numerous configurable ways. Often an MFD will be used in concert with a Primary Flight Display. MFDs are part of the digital era of modern planes or...
(MFD). Cirrus became the first customer of the Entegra system and began offering it on the SR20
Cirrus SR20
The Cirrus Design SR20 is a piston engine composite monoplane that seats four. The SR20 is noted for being the first production general aviation aircraft equipped with a parachute designed to lower the aircraft safely to the ground after loss of control or structural failure.-Design and...
and SR22
Cirrus SR22
The Cirrus SR22 is a single-engine, four-seat, composite aircraft, built by Cirrus Aircraft starting in 2001. It is a more powerful version of the Cirrus SR20, with a larger wing, higher fuel capacity, and a 310 horsepower engine...
aircraft in 2003 as the first integrated flight deck for light general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
(GA). The original Entegra system, which is currently at Release 9 software, was designed to use third-party components such as a GPS from Garmin
Garmin
Garmin Ltd. , incorporated in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, is the parent company of a group of companies founded in 1989 by Gary Burrell and Min Kao , that develops consumer, aviation, and marine technologies for the Global Positioning System...
and an autopilot
Autopilot
An autopilot is a mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic system used to guide a vehicle without assistance from a human being. An autopilot can refer specifically to aircraft, self-steering gear for boats, or auto guidance of space craft and missiles...
system from S-TEC Corporation
S-TEC Corporation
S-TEC Corporation is an operating company under the Avionics and Surveillance division of Cobham plc.S-TEC is a United States corporation originally founded in 1978and headquartered in Mineral Wells, Texas...
.
One of the advantages of these glass flight deck systems is upgradeability. Avidyne has demonstrated this with a continuous stream of hardware and software upgrades, including:
- 2004: Added CMax Electronic Charts and first to certify XM datalink for light GA.
- 2005 Added Primary Engine Instrumentation on PFD.
- 2006: Introduced Release 6, which added Flight Director, V-Speed & Heading on ADI, additional datalink weather products on the MFD, and support for the USB memory-stick data loader.
- 2007: Introduced Release 7, which added support for WAAS/LPV Approach guidance among other things.
- 2008: Introduced Release 8, which expanded weather product for Canadian, Mexico and Caribbean (METARS, TAFs, Color Lightning).
- 2009: Release 9, a hardware and software upgrade that was certified in April 2009.
Entegra Release 9
With the certification of Entegra Release 9 system in April 2009, Avidyne offers dual integrated flight displays (IFD) with the FMS900w, a WAAS-capable flight management system (FMS) that utilizes Avidyne’s all-digital DVX740 VHF NAV/COM radio modules and GPS722 GPS receiver modules, which eliminates the reliance on 3rd-party Garmin 430 radios. The Release 9 upgrade also includes the Avidyne MLB700 which provides Sirius/XM Satellite Datalink Weather from WSI.Avidyne has introduced a new attitude-based digital autopilot, the DFC100, which can replace the rate-based STEC 55X autopilot in most Release 9 installations.
Entegra Release 9 is considered a 3rd-generation integrated flight deck because it is built on a brand new hardware platform using a modular architecture, dual Byteflight digital databus, all new fully digital radio designs, and incorporating a unique Page & Tab user interface and QWERTY-style FMS control/display unit that are designed to dramatically reduce workload during single-pilot IFR operations.
System Redundancy
Entegra Release 9 system was designed with a fully redundant dual-databus architecture that eliminates traditional "Reversionary Modes."A typical Entegra Release 9 installation features two large-format IFD5000 Integrated Flight Displays (IFD), which are fully interchangeable for use as PFD or MFD. Since each IFD5000 is fully capable of performing the functions of the other, no unfamiliar or limited reversionary modes are required . In the unlikely event of a display failure, the remaining IFD5000 continues to operate as either display format with no loss of functionality.
Some competing glass flight deck systems have limited redundancy, lose critical functionality such as datalink weather, traffic, or even autopilot, and their failure modes force the pilot to learn composite display symbology and "reversionary modes."
GA Glass History
Avidyne was first to certify big glass for light GA with the launch of Entegra in 2003 in Cirrus aircraft. This is considered a "first generation" big-glass system that integrates the six 3-inch instruments (6-pack) into a more usable package, along with an exceptionally reliable Air Data and Heading Reference System (ADAHRS) that replaces the “spinning mass” attitude and directional gyros. Entegra Release 8 still relies on a ‘federated’ radio stack (dual G430s) for GPS/NAV/COM capability, as well as audio and transponder.Use
Avidyne Entegra systems are found aircraft from such companies as:- Cirrus Aircraft
- Columbia/Lancair AircraftColumbia AircraftThe Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation was an aircraft manufacturer that designed and built light general aviation aircraft. In November 2007 it became a division of Cessna.-History:...
- Piper Aircraft
- Spectrum AeronauticalSpectrum AeronauticalSpectrum Aeronautical is headquartered in Carlsbad, California with its development center located in Spanish Fork, Utah.- Management :Spectrum management’s history of technologically sophisticated advanced composite aircraft programs includes MQ-1 Predator, LearAvia Lear Fan, Beechcraft Starship,...
- Extra Aircraft
Competition
The Avidyne Entegra competes with the Garmin G1000Garmin G1000
The Garmin G1000 is an integrated flight instrument system manufactured by Garmin typically composed of two display units, one serving as a primary flight display, and one as a multi-function display...
and Chelton FlightLogic EFIS glass cockpits. However, there are significant differences with regard to the features, degree of integration, intuitive aspects of the design, and overall product utility. Note that the Chelton system is not typically found in airplanes that include the less expensive G1000 or Avidyne systems.