Advanced Deck from AFS

Post by **Spike** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:23 am

In the other thread Bret mentioned that he was going with the AFS 4500 dual screen efis / mfd. I am curious, for those of you who are going this way what does your total package layout looks like. What GPS are you using to drive the system and what options are you taking?

John

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:31 am

I am going with the 4500EF and 4500EM displays. It has a single ADHRS and the ARINC adapter. I will have the internal GPS (VFR) as my backup GPS. The EM will have mapping, synthetic vision, terrain, XM weather as well as display traffic from my Garmin 330 transponder.

The EFIS units will be driven by a Garmin 430W which includes a COM and NAV. I will have a Garmin SL40 as COM2. I am installing the PS8000B for intercom.

I also have installed the TruTrak Digiflight VSVG which will be able to be driven by either the EFIS (via ARINC) or the GNS430W. It will allow coupling of the ILS or WAAS glideslope.

Oh, I also have a cupholder too.

Post by **Spike** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:48 am

Lots 'O questions for ya.

Is the EFIS attitude information augmented by the pitot static system? Are you going to have backup gyros?

I am hoping to get to SNF to start scouting this stuff. How did you find the weather display and traffic display compares to say a 496 or the GMX 200?

Actually, speaking of XM, is it a custom XM receiver for the weather or a 3rd party receiver?

Post by **bullojm1** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:35 am

Spike wrote: Is the EFIS attitude information augmented by the pitot static system? Are you going to have backup gyros?

The AFS unit does NOT use the pitot/static system. I *think* they use GPS for their external dependency.

Spike wrote: Actually, speaking of XM, is it a custom XM receiver for the weather or a 3rd party receiver?

AFS uses the WxWorx XM receiver. It interfaces with the EFIS's with an Ethernet connection. If you have two AFS EFIS's, you will need to put a Ethernet switch behind your panel so all three devices can talk.

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:34 am

I am using a TT 2.25" ADI as well as my AP for backup.

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:36 am

Spike,

Have you joined the AFS Support Forum? There is a wealth of info there and AFR engineers quickly reply to any questions...
http://www.advanced-flight-systems.com/forum/

Post by **Spike** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:53 am

Thanx. Ill look it up!

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:22 pm

Spike,

I did the due diligence on all the major EFIS players a year ago and found that the technology is changing so rapidly it was almost mind overload to try and keep up. Ultimately, I narrowed my search to between GRT and AFS, with the preference going toward GRT. At SnF, both GRT and AFS announced their high-speed processors and with AFS catching up in all feature catagories. The bottom line... Both GRT and AFS offer essentially the same features but AFS has a larger screen, excellent resolution (4500 advanced deck) and AFS has sold a majority share ownership to Honeywell. AFS will be supporting their systems for the experimental market.

I have followed their development and know that the 4500 will have the Honeywell processor (read military spec) and be released by end of year with synthetic vision from the git go. The AFS and GRT systems are both tremendous values and are prices almost the same so you can feel great going with either one.

Me, I flipped a coin and went with the larger screen (49 year old eyes here).

Post by **Spike** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 4:55 pm

You gave me a picture today of something I have been considering. This was either a very bad photo or a very good one, I am not sure I have decided yet. My biggest issue with the AFS EFIS displays was that I did not like the way they overlaid the HSI on the AI. This picture today really got my hopes up.

Spike

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Advanced Deck from AFS

Advanced Deck from AFS

AFS4500

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