Aspen Max crash despite newest firmware??

[DXB]

Recently updated my Aspen Max PFD firmware because It crashed once before. 

It crashed again this eve, while I was in IMC 

Anyone have any intel on this troubling issue??

[alextstone]

Do you have an EA 100 autopilot signal converter (to make a KFC150 compatible with the Aspen)?  If so, it needs a software update as well....

[DXB]

1 hour ago, alextstone said:

Do you have an EA 100 autopilot signal converter (to make a KFC150 compatible with the Aspen)?  If so, it needs a software update as well....

Nope - no EA100 - Stec 30 coupled to Gtn650 and aspen 

[alextstone]

I just sent a PM to you with Andy Smiths phone number.  He's the Tech rep with Aspen I contact when I have issues

[DXB]

Found this old thread on the issue, submitted query on Aspen website, contacting @Andy Smith for guidance. This is a scary issue that I can't ignore - I hate the fact that the failure takes out both AI and DG simultaneously. For me, the only point of my upgrading to the MAX was reliability - I liked the old system, which worked well for the years that I had it, but I hated its complete dependency on pitot input. I really hope there isn't another major avionics conversion in my future. I'd gotten very used to the Aspen and its capabilities for challenging instrument flying.  I certainly need to think more about how to use my backups more effectively. It's not like standard steam gauge partial panel practice like in the old days but rather very specific to the various components you have.  

 

[PeteMc]

HA!  I was looking at the pic and trying to figure out for what wacky reason an Aspen Rep would be using a pic of speaker wire.

Ended up click on the link to see if he said.   Should have know it had nothing to do with the Aspen Rep and everything to do with @gsxrpilot !!!  

[DXB]

Update: So it turns out my installer didn't actually update to the newest software version that supposedly takes away the crash issue (MAP 2.11) after the crash happened the first time 

Aspen to their credit has been extremely responsive to the issue, immediately offering to swap the unit before we figured out the software version was still wrong.

Edited July 8, 2021 by DXB

[carusoam]

Great follow-up Dev!

Electronic equipment checklists just got one more step added to them… 

Best regards,

-a-

[Marauder]

22 hours ago, DXB said:

Update: So it turns out my installer didn't actually to update to the newest software version that supposedly takes away the crash issue (MAP 2.11) after the crash happened the first time 

Aspen to their credit has been extremely responsive to the issue, immediately offering to swap the unit before we figured out the software version was still wrong.

Dev - Is the current firmware version 2.11? I had mine updated recently as well. Was it Ben?

[rbridges]

17 hours ago, Marauder said:

Dev - Is the current firmware version 2.11? I had mine updated recently as well. Was it Ben?

Actually there is a 2.12. One of my max units crashed 3x on a short flight back in March. They updated all 3 units. Knock on wood,no issues since. 

EDIT--THE CURRENT VERSION IS 2.11.  I MISREAD MY EMAIL FROM ANDY.  SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION.

[DXB]

7 hours ago, Marauder said:

Dev - Is the current firmware version 2.11? I had mine updated recently as well. Was it Ben?

yep - unless you have 2.11 or later you may want to get back to him. It sounds like  based on above there’s a 2.12 out there….

[rbridges]

10 hours ago, DXB said:

yep - unless you have 2.11 or later you may want to get back to him. It sounds like  based on above there’s a 2.12 out there….

ugh, I'm sorry.  I reread my emails.  I went from 2.10.2 to 2.11.  I was thinking I went 2.11 to 2.12.  

Bottom line, 2.11 is the current version right now.  

[rbridges]

This was my email from Andy back in April:

 

Robert,

 

2.11 SW mainly addresses the addition of the information needed to have full advance capabilities in the digital autopilot world, namely the STEC 3100 and GFC600 systems. However, like every SW release there are other things that were added in the background that fall under “bug fixes”. I do not have full details, but the first thing that field service has us do is update to the latest SW even if the customer already 2.10.2. I imagine that there is something in there that addresses the irregular restarts after 2.10.2 that you are seeing on the forums.

[Mark89114]

Geez......the more I read about all these failures it seems like Microsoft engineers are designing them.....has to be a better solution

[chriscalandro]

9 minutes ago, Mark89114 said:

Geez......the more I read about all these failures it seems like Microsoft engineers are designing them.....has to be a better solution

Huh?

[carusoam]

Red Xs are the new blue screen of death….  
 

Go Windows!

-a-

[DXB]

On 7/9/2021 at 7:06 PM, carusoam said:

Red Xs are the new blue screen of death….  
 

Go Windows!

-a-

At the moment, the risk of my Aspen Max pfd showing the screen of death (no red X pleasantries - just staring into a black void) seems orders of magnitude higher than during my Windows 10 experience; hopefully, the software upgrade reverses this disturbing trend.  The meaning of a  "screen of death" for the PFD is also a bit more than just the metaphor - no partial panel proficiency was required to survive my last laptop crash .

[Marauder]

At the moment, the risk of my Aspen Max pfd showing the screen of death (no red X pleasantries - just staring into a black void) seems orders of magnitude higher than during my Windows 10 experience; hopefully, the software upgrade reverses this disturbing trend.  The meaning of a  "screen of death" for the PFD is also a bit more than just the metaphor - no partial panel proficiency was required to survive my last laptop crash .

Dev - what are you using for your backup? Even though I went with the 2000 Max, I felt it was wise to keep some sort of AI in the panel. I am using the ESI-500. In addition to the AI function, it has it’s own magnetometer, is interfaced with with the GPS/ILS/VOR and has an altimeter and ASI.



I do find this conversation a bit of an oxymoron on my part. For most of my IFR flying before I had the redundancy of the Aspens and the ESI-500, I flew IMC merrily and ignorantly around with a single vacuum pump and a 30 year old AI with the belief that my partial panel skills would be up to snuff if I needed them.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[DXB]

10 minutes ago, Marauder said:

Dev - what are you using for your backup? Even though I went with the 2000 Max, I felt it was wise to keep some sort of AI in the panel. I am using the ESI-500. In addition to the AI function, it has it’s own magnetometer, is interfaced with with the GPS/ILS/VOR and has an altimeter and ASI.



I do find this conversation a bit of an oxymoron on my part. For most of my IFR flying before I had the redundancy of the Aspens and the ESI-500, I flew IMC merrily and ignorantly around with a single vacuum pump and a 30 year old AI with the belief that my partial panel skills would be up to snuff if I needed them.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I'm using a GI-275 as my main backup, with its own magnetometer and backup battery installed as options - so at least as good as your ESI-500.  I also still have an analog altimeter, ASI, and TC on the STEC-30 as another layer beyond that for old school partial panel stuff - but I would not be proficient at compass turns.  And there's the Stratus-driven AHRS display and synthetic vision on ipad 5 mini as a last resort.   I'm pretty confident I could stay out of a graveyard spiral and hopefully find my way to VMC with some combination of this stuff, flying an approach much less so....

[PeteMc]

I put in a GI275 sight unseen.  It was just coming out, but everything in the literature fit my needs perfectly.  I don't usually by first generation, or at least not one of the first deliveries, but I figured it was a Backup.  So far it's been rock solid - as my Aspen has been. 

[Ragsf15e]

5 hours ago, DXB said:

I'm using a GI-275 as my main backup, with its own magnetometer and backup battery installed as options - so at least as good as your ESI-500.  I also still have an analog altimeter, ASI, and TC on the STEC-30 as another layer beyond that for old school partial panel stuff - but I would not be proficient at compass turns.  And there's the Stratus-driven AHRS display and synthetic vision on ipad 5 mini as a last resort.   I'm pretty confident I could stay out of a graveyard spiral and hopefully find my way to VMC with some combination of this stuff, flying an approach much less so....

Actually, PP with an stec TC is pretty awesome… step one, engage autopilot.  Even if you only get the “straight” mode and alt hold, you’re in business.  You can easily do gentle turns with the TC control knob.  If you’ve never played with that mode, try it!

[Marauder]

On 7/7/2021 at 4:53 PM, rbridges said:

Actually there is a 2.12. One of my max units crashed 3x on a short flight back in March. They updated all 3 units. Knock on wood,no issues since. 

EDIT--THE CURRENT VERSION IS 2.11.  I MISREAD MY EMAIL FROM ANDY.  SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION.

I confirmed that I am on 2.11. Thanks for confirming.