First Aspen Evolution Glass Is Installed

Rick Garcia, owner of Gulf Coast Avionics in Lakeland, Florida, pulled rank, reserving his company's first Aspen Avionics Evolution system for his own personal Piper Seneca. "I believe this product is going to revolutionize avionics upgrades," Garcia told Flying. The Aspen Evolution EFD1000 replaces steam gauge horizon and directional gyros with computerized "glass" versions. The IFR Evolution "Pro" version sells for less than $10,000, while the VFR "Pilot" version is less than $6,000. Garcia estimates about $5,000 to install the Pro version, depending on how much interfacing is needed with other aircraft avionics such as GPS navigators and autopilots. Last Friday, Aspen Avionics, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, received its FAA Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate authorizing installation on close to 400 aircraft models.