Avionics
Avidyne Exploring DIY Plug n’ Play Avionics Installations
The ease of installation of Avidyne's IFD series navigators may lead to a less expensive ways for pilots to do the installations themselves.

Avionics manufacturer Avidyne makes various FMS/navigator/radio systems that are designed to fit into existing avionics trays without any hardware modifications. Its IFD440, for example, is plug-and-play compatible with Garmin’s GNS 430W, and the same is true of the IFD540 and upcoming IFD550, which can be swapped into the tray of a GNS 530W. But aircraft owners buying the IFD units must pay an avionics shop to make the swap, check some configurations, run ground tests and sign off the installation. “Why can’t I swap my own box?” asked Avidyne president and CEO Dan Schwinn. “We designed the IFDs to be plug-and-play.”


Loading…