“Robinson is the world’s leading manufacturer of civil helicopters, and we have found that there is a huge pent up demand for the unique features we offer with our IFD series,” said Avidyne CEO Dan Schwinn. “Avidyne has been a world leader in active traffic systems in helicopters with our TAS600 series, and now this STC marks the first of many upgrade and forward-fit programs we are working on to bring the powerful capabilities of the Avidyne IFD products to the helicopter market.”

“Our IFDs are uniquely suited for helicopter operations.  Their hybrid touch user interface provides touch-screen input as well as a full set of buttons/knobs for reliable control of the instrument in all conditions and phases of flight,” said Mitch Biggs, Avidyne’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing.   “Our IFD100 app provides a big-glass display and control of the panel-mounted IFD on an iPad^® mounted wherever the pilot desires.  Equally important, the IFD series is a slide-in replacement for legacy GNS-series navigators, which can dramatically reduce installation costs”.

“For many helicopter operators, the IFD provides significant performance and functional improvements in the same panel space where their old navigator sits today, with the addition of wireless capability for added safety and ease of use.  Any helicopter operator looking to migrate to a next generation of WAAS GPS/FMS/NAV/COM owes it to themselves to take a very close look at the IFD.” Biggs added.

This STC covers the IFD540 and IFD440 FMS/GPS/NAV/COMs as well as the IFD510 and IFD410 FMS/GPS standalone navigators, and allows for easy slide-in-replacement installations in Robinson helicopters that currently have legacy GNS navigators. This STC also covers green installations as well.  

Helicopter Operators who upgrade to the IFDs will also have the ability to add an IFD100, which is an iPad-based version of the panel-mounted IFDs that communicates via wireless and provides independent, large-screen display and control of the panel-mounted system.