DFC100 is now certified

The combination of R9 and DFC100 is now certified and ready for customer shipping and installation!

Now for a little more color.   The R9 software release, specifically identified as R9.2.1 can be loaded in the IFDs and the accompanying DFC100 autopilot installed in the airplane under the approval we received today from the FAA with the following limitation in the DFC100 POH Supplement: 

“VNAV must be disengaged during departures, arrivals, and approach procedures unless the altitudes displayed for every leg of the procedure are consistent with the corresponding chart.  Reference Avidyne Service Information Letter 606-00083-009.”  

While the piloting technique identified in the above limitation is always a good technique, R9.2.1 specifically ensures that this will be the case.  It is a long and confusing story to explain why the 9.2.1/DFC100 combination of software solves this problem yet still has the governing limitation, but suffice it to say, the paperwork just hasn’t caught up with the delivered software.

This limitation will go away upon FAA signature of an amended STC for the R9 system and the DFC100 system.   These STC amendments are undergoing FAA processing at this time but we do not have a good understanding if this effort will be hours, days, or weeks long.  When the amended STCs are signed off by the FAA, to lift the limitation, an owner will need to ensure the airplane is brought to an approved service center where the updated STC paperwork can be added to the aircraft logs and updated POH supplements (without the limitation) can be inserted in the aircraft POH.

For those customers who are eager to get their DFC100 installed immediately and can tolerate the published limitation, please contact Reid Antonacchio directly at rantonacchio@avidyne.com or +1 239-249-0414 to identify the desired shop and schedule an installation date/time.

For those customers who would prefer to wait until the limitation is removed and make only a single trip to an installation shop, we will broadcast the news of the amended STCs as soon as we have them.

Depending on the configuration of your aircraft and the experience level of the selected shop, the estimated labor hours for the upgrade is approximately 8-12 hours.  This includes the wiring of the flap position signal into the autopilot tray, installation of the DFC100, upgrading the IFDs to R9.2.1, the post-installation checkout and accompanying paperwork sign-off.

I don’t need to repeat how unusually long and frustrating this certification effort has been, but I’m sure you will be thrilled to have this terrific autopilot front and center in your cockpit.  Thank you for your purchase and your patience.