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Hi all, It’s been “only” almost 2 years, but I finally have ADS-b out working. It all started with the purchase of my bird in 2017. I was assured that it had everything that was needed for the 2020 mandate: it had a 430waas gps and a GTX330ES, so, it should be fine. Three avionics shops later, we finally figured out that for the GPS unit to be the position info source, the GTX needed a RS232 connection, not the existing ARINC 429. And while the GPS gets traffic info from the transponder via ARINC429, you need to have the system configured so that on the GTX330ES the 429 “in” port is set to “OFF”, and the RS232 in port is set to “REMOTE”, and finally, the 430WAAS, RS232 out port is set to “ADSB+“ (on the IFD440 set to ADSB+g). if you leave the ARINC429 “in” port on the GTX330ES on, the box will prioritize the info coming through 429 over RS232, and your ADSB-report will show a fail. im mentioning the IFD440, because I swapped out the 430 recently, and while Avidyne tech support has been very supportive throughout this process, they were not aware of the 429 vs Rs232 issue/settings. if this info helps just one pilot, then it was worth me reporting on my experience. John

Is it me or does Jeppesen have the worst web site in the world? Trying to sign up for a subscription to NavData for a new IFD440. The only option they have is for the 540, which I assume works for both. Buuuuut, it crashes when I go to my cart. Their support is around during Mountain Time. Seems really weird for a global aviation company. People in Japan have to order at 3:00 AM? As far as I could tell, there was no option to buy through Avidyne. Which also has a pretty cruddy web site. I registered my units and noticed that their support website hasn't been updated since 2014. Ugh. So does the IFD540 subscription work for the 440 and is Jeppesen the only place to get it?

Scenarios: 1. We purchased the MLB100 with our Avidyne AXP 322 and IFD 540. 2. Also, we have a GDL39R being used with Garmin Pilot. 3. What we have noticed on the Garmin Pilot with a GDL-39 since around mid-2018, after the update, we now have access and can utilize the new FIS-B weather products are available such as the following: Lightning Turbulence Icing Cloud Tops Graphical AIRMET Center Weather Advisory 4. My question is since MLB unit is a NAVWORX unit and NAVWORX is out of business, will the MLB100 units receive any updates via Avidyne and/or any other 3rd party source that may take on these units. If no, then basically, we have invested into a product (that is only a couple of years old) that will not provide any current FIS-B functionality. OR 5. Will these new FIS-B WX products become available via a firmware update to the IFD 540? Now for another scenario 6. Will the Garmin GTX 345R work with the IFD540? This will allow us to remove both the AXP-322 and MLB100 and 1 unit in lieu of 2. 7. In addition to question #6 (if the 345R will work) will the newer ADS-B products be supported with the IFD unit? Overall it seems like the IFD unit will need a firmware update to support the newer ADS-B features since many of these features are consider map overlays that the end-user can toggle off and on. 8. Regardless if you fly with a Garmin GTN or Avidyne IFD series, why can't you have Winds aloft and FIS-B Radar displayed both at the same time? On the inexpensive Garmin Pilot app you can display both at the same time, but not on our $$,$$$ GPS units. 9. On the IFD100 will the newer FIS-B products be available? 10 What about the Skytrax 100? Is the the same operating system and different name? Is this a total different unit? and can any details be provided about the new ADS-B FIS-B products in regards of the Skytrax100 supporting these features? Sorry, I do not fly with Foreflight; although, I do have the Foreflight APP. Foreflight users are welcome to chime in just as long the points are related to this post. The same goes for Garmin GTN, Avidyne IFD users, and/or any other FIS-B equipment and application that is applicable. This posting is not about which unit is better or worst; however, the objective is to determine and/or gather information and functionality based on the details depicted within this posting. Thank you.

I own a Mooney M20J (1985) with a few partners and we're looking to do ADS-B and upgrade our GPS. We currently have a non-waas Garmin 430 and have been considering an update to a GTN650 or an Avidyne IFD440. We like the interface and hybrid (buttons+touch) of the IFD440 - but we can't figure out if it will talk to a Garmin GTX 345 transponder. I talked with several avionics shops and I got conflicting answers: A) no somewhat, you can only feed waas to the GTX from IFD C) yes, GTX can get waas from IFD, and IFD can get traffic + weather from GTX An Avidyne sales support engineer thought you could get traffic but not weather from GTX to IFD. So which is it? Has anyone actually gotten this working in a real setup? If this does work - how do you iPad/Android users connect to the IFD? Foreflight says it only gets position and can exchange flight plans with IFD - no weather or traffic. So if I connected to GTX for all that, can I not get GPS signal? Seems awkward to have to switch connections back and forth connecting to IFD and GTX separately. Two shops advised against doing this setup - others said no problem at all. Also, a few shops I talked to said they don't do a slide-in replacement for IFD even though we have a 430. They said they redo all wiring anyway because of issues they've had in past. So no savings there. Basically, what we're trying to achieve is: 1) dual band traffic (978 + 1090) + weather displayed on GPS and also portable tablet (ios or Android), ideally including Foreflight and Android apps like FlyQ etc 2) ADS-B with 1090 ES out for international compliance 3) Backup attitude indicator that can be displayed on tablet (e.g. in foreflight or FlyQ) 4) GPS should drive our KAP150 autopilot Let me know if anyone has actually gotten a IFD440+GTX345 setup working. We also looked at SkyTrax100 + 340 for ads-b, but SkyTrax doesn't seem to do dual-band (978 only) traffic and can't pick up 1090 traffic without a relay from a ground station. But I'm finding it harder to make a case for doing IFD440. Looking more likely to do GTX345+GTN650+FS510 thoughts?

For those who have asked for more in depth training on the IFD series of navigators, we have teamed up with Master CFI Gary Reeves of PilotSafety.org to provide webinars, in person seminars and a video series. The first of many webinars are scheduled (see below). Wednesday, May 11th 6:30pm (Pacific) (Thursday May 12th 0100 UTC) https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1623049960924876036 For WINGS credit: http://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/event_details.aspx?eid=68863&caller=/SPANS/events/EventList.aspx Monday, May 16th 2330 UTC 7:30pm (Central) https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4829957042899565057 Monday, May 16th 2230 UTC 6:30pm (Eastern) https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5528846215932681217 The first topic he will be covering is: Getting to know the Avidyne IFD 540/440 The IFD540 & IFD440 represent the next generation in FMS/GPS/ NAV/COM systems. They are plug-and play replacements for Garmin 530/430 systems. We will cover the new features including Hybrid Touch: Knobs & Buttons or Touch-Screen Wireless Keyboard Flight Plan Entry Graphical Flight Plan Editing GeoFill™ Reduces Data Entry Time Easy Loading of Approaches Entering a Hold is Easy “Next Leg” Depiction Easy Radio Tuning Multiple Frequency Formats and Station Readout Low-Fuel Protection Electronic Approach Charts and Airport Diagrams Terrain Awareness & FLTA Integrated WiFi & Bluetooth® Connectivity to iPad programs like FlyQ & ForeFlight Your speaker is Gary Reeves, ATP, Master CFI and the 2016 FAA Instructor of the Year for the WP region.

Good morning, I've spent quite a few AMUs this morning window shopping and thought I could bring you guys into it. There have been a few reviews on the IFD440/550 lately and folks seem to like them. People also like the 650 it seems. What do you guys think the return on investment would be in upgrading a 430w to 650 or ifd 440 in utility, resale, etc.? As a wrench in this discussion I have a JPI 700 and it can be upgraded through Spruce for around 1.2AMUs. I'm thinking that bang for the buck might be to do the JPI/650 upgrade if you were going to spend the $ on the IFD. How much do the Avidyne subscriptions cost in comparison to Garmin too?

Avidyne is excited to announce connectivity with industry-leading app providers ForeFlight and Fltplan Go. This announcement expands Avidyne's connectivity options which include the previously announced MK10 Bluetooth® Keyboard. Initial connectivity will allow iPads with the newly-announced ForeFlight version 7.6 to wirelessly receive and display GPS position and flight plan information from Avidyne's IFD540/440 units running the current v10.1 software. FltPlan Go running on an iPad, Android tablet, and Windows 10 tablet can wirelessly display GPS position and flight plan information from the Avidyne IFD540 or IFD440 running the current v10.1 or later software. Many additional capabilities will be added in a future IFD software release for the IFD540/440.

Avidyne has received STC approval for the MK10 Bluetooth® keyboard. The MK10 Bluetooth Keyboard allows pilots to wirelessly control their panel-mounted IFD440 or IFD540 system. Activation of Bluetooth functionality requires IFD440/IFD540 software Release 10.1.1. Initially, the MK10 will allow remote entry of waypoints and flightplans, plus map range changing, and alpha-numeric data entry. An upcoming release (R10.2) will fully enable all MK10 functions including page and tab selection, Direct TO, and others.” The MK10 will have a retail value of $299. For a limitied time, all customers who register or who have registered on www.MyAvidyne.com will receive the MK10 at no cost. If you own an IFD540 or IFD440 and have not registered at MyAvidyne.com, please do so now so you don't get left out when we begin sending MK10 keyboards.

Avidyne is happy to announce the approval of Release 10.1.1 software for the IFD540 & IFD440. Release 10.1.1 adds a number of performance improvements and product enhancements to the IFD540 and IFD440, including activation of the integrated Bluetooth® and WiFi capabilities. Release 10.1.1 (R10.1.1) software is a field-loadable upgrade for the IFD540 and IFD440 that enables Bluetooth and WiFi functionality and also includes a number of product improvements and enhancements. Avidyne’s MK10 Bluetooth wireless keyboard is the first device to take advantage of this wireless capability. Avidyne previously announced a Software Developer Kit (SDK) that allows 3rd-party software developers to create applications for smartphones and portable tablet devices using the wireless data streams coming out of the IFD540 and IFD440. With throughput rates of up to 3 Mbps, Bluetooth provides terrific point-to-point connectivity for specific devices and App-based tasks, while WiFi provides a higher-bandwidth connection of up to 65 Mbps for more robust purposes including laptops and browser-based connectivity.