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Q:How
much does EFIS/One cost?
$14,975 complete and ready to install with all instruments. No add-ons or missing
pieces. Given that EFIS/One will replace nearly every instrument on the panel,
draw less current, weigh less, and is still undergoing continued development
and enhancement, this is nothing short of amazing. Engine sensors are additional,
but the Engine Pod is included.
Q: Can
I fly EFIS/One legally under IFR?
Yes. For an experimental aircraft everything in the EFIS is legal to fly. When
you get your aircraft registered, just tell the DAR that you want it certified
for IFR and he’ll tell you what you need to do. Of course you’ll
have to comply with CFR 14 91.205(d), which is the list of things your aircraft
must have to be certified for IFR. But everything EFIS/One (or EFIS/Lite!)
has that’s on that list is legal to use.
Q: Do
I have to have backup instruments?
For VFR, EFIS/One provides all the instrumentation
required. For
IFR, EFIS/One still provides all the required instrumentation.
This is not to say that backup instruments
are not a good idea. In fact,
we highly recommend having two ways
of doing everything you need in IFR. What
you install for backup is up to you.
Q:
Will EFIS/One drive an autopilot?
Full autopilot capability
is one of the basic functions
of EFIS/One and now the EFIS/Lite
also. All you need to add is
our servos and driver electronics.
Where else can you add a complete
digital autopilot for under
$3500? If you have a product such
as those sold by Trutrak and S-tec (55x) EFIS/One will drive it with RS232
output using the NMEA-0183 format.
Q:
Can I use your equipment in
my certified aircraft?
Not very easily.
To use our product, or any
other uncertified product,
in your certified aircraft,
you will need to install as
a "backup" instrument
and get a field approval, FAA
form 337. Consult with
your installer and/or FSDO.
Q:
What else do I need to legally
fly VFR / IFR?
- VFR operations
require the EFIS and an ELT
(according to CFR 14 part 91.205(b)).
- IFR operations
additionally require a NavCom
and altitude reporting transponder
(according to CFR part 91.205(d)).
We recommend
an Airspeed indicator, an Altimeter,
a Turn Coordinator (or EFIS/Lite that
does all three!), along with a
transponder, and a pair of NavCom
radios with an external Nav head
as a complete EFIS-equipped panel.
I even like the idea of keeping
the EFIS and one radio alive on
a separate buss, but I tend to
over-engineer things. Per FAR 91.205
to fly in the IFR system you have
to be able to navigate via VOR,
have your airdata instruments checked
every two years and have a standard
rate turn gyro on board. EFIS/One
qualifies as your gyro instrument,
ASI and Altimeter.
Make sure you feel both safe and comfortable flying in the kind of weather you'll
file for both with and without the EFIS. Technology is great, but please be safe.
Q: What else do I need to legally fly VFR /
IFR?
Here's
the EAA response. EAA
gave us their take on this
topic....view
their report here
Q:
Is EFIS/One difficult to install?
For
a piece of equipment as sophisticated
as EFIS/One, we’ve
tried to make it as easy to install as
we could. But remember, it’s
a very advanced technological marvel that
uses electricity to work. If you’re
not too good with wires and electricity,
or computers, for that matter, you may
save yourself some time, trouble, and headache
by finding someone who is comfortable with
these things and have them install it. Some
of our customers have had no trouble getting
it installed, and others have gotten frustrated. You’re
the best judge of your own abilities -- if you’re in doubt that probably
means you need some help. My rule of thumb is if you have a soldering iron on your bench and have changed the tip more than a few times, you're good to go. It's not hard, but it's an advanced project.
Q:
How much does it weigh?
The
entire EFIS/One system weighs
less than 5 lbs. The
autopilot servos weigh less than 2 lbs.
each. The
EFIS/Lite system weighs less
than 3 lbs.
Q:
Do I have to subscribe to the
software and database update
service?
Yes,
for the first year. After
that it’s up to you. When
you consider everything you
get, it’s really a
great bargain. You
get: Terrain, airspace,
and airdata updates; all
the improvements and upgrades
we make to the software;
and toll-free technical
support.
Q:
Can I hook up an approach-certified
GPS to EFIS/One or EFIS/Lite?
EFIS/One accepts
both serial and analog inputs from external radios and displays course deviation
both laterally and vertically. With analog inputs EFIS/One does not
currently have the ability to “resolve” a VOR radial, so you’ll need an
external nav head to accomplish this.
Q:
How does the EFIS display compare
to my laptop's?
All
Blue Mountain EFIS products
have what are called "high
brightness" displays,
meaning they use power
to drive a backlight against
the sun. This is the same
technology used in high-end
civil and all military
cockpits for a display
that is direct-sunlight
readable. The Nit is a
unit of illumination, with
a laptop coming in at around
70 Nits. EFIS/One uses
a display designed for
avionic systems that drives
between 1500 and 2000 Nits
of luminance. This brightness,
combined with the anti-reflective
coating, is what makes
the display sunlight-readable.
Compared with transflective
or low-brightness displays,
nothing even comes close
to the readability
of these high-brightness
coated optics. RV
drivers have reported being
able to read the display
while flying formation
on a ship equipped with
EFIS/One.
Q:
What operating
system do you use? Is
it Windows /
Linux / etc.?
The processor is an AMD Geode clocking 533 MHz booting up off the metal from FLASH memory. We don't use a desktop operating system since crashes are not acceptable in flight. We use a real-time version of the Linux operating system that has been certified to DO-178. 767 pilots don't reboot their systems -- why should you?
Q:
How reliable is it?
We
don’t
have statistical data for the sum of
the parts, but we know that the individual
parts have MTBFs as high as 18,000
hours. The best thing to do is
follow the Installation Guide’s
instructions to set it up on the bench
first… if it works there, it’ll
work in your airplane. The most common problems are related to installation errors and wiring mistakes. Take a look on the Downloads page for Greg's free booklet on wiring and electronic installation.
Q:
How long does it take to boot up?
From power-on
to fully operational is less
than 20 seconds. Gyro re-erect
takes less than 6 seconds to
be flyable and less than 10 for
full accuracy.
Q:
Can each screen, in a two screen system,
display different information?
As
our displays are 10.4" we display the same
information on each screen on a dual
display system. Other systems
that use smaller screens have to split
the information into multiple screens,
as there simply is not enough room. Both
the pilot and co-pilot can see all
the information with the EFIS/One dual
display setup. EFIS/One,
EFIS/Two and EFIS/Sport
all support repeater
displays.
Q:
How do I control the EFIS?
A pair of concentric
knobs provides Prev / Next, Up / Down
and Select functions. Four discrete
panel switches control various other
system functions such as calling and
dismissing menus. We did formal usability
analysis on the controls and most people
found them both intuitive and comfortable,
even in turbulence.
Q:
Can I use my FADEC for engine gauges?
Yes,
simply install a single
cable between the FADEC
controller and our EFIS/CPU. Currently
the Aerosance FADEC has been implemented; others to follow shortly, call for details.
Q:
What instruments does EFIS/One take
the place of?
- Single cue Flight
Director
- 2-Axis Autopilot
- Attitude Indicator
- HSI
- Remote compass
- Airspeed indicator
- Altimeter
- Altitude alerter
- Altitude blind
encoder
- VSI
- Slip/Skid Indicator
- Turn and Bank
Indicator
- Clock
- Digital OAT
- GPS
- Moving map display
- Navigation database
- Fuel totalizer
- Flight data
recorder and analysis package
- Fuel Level
- Fuel Flow
- Tachometer
- Manifold Pressure
Indicator
- Coolant Temperature
- Voltmeter
- Oil Pressure
Indicator
- Oil Temperature
Indicator
- Cylinder Head
Temp
- Exhaust Gas
Temp
- Ammeter
- Vacuum Pump
Q:
What's not in the package or what else
do I need?
You'll need whatever sensors you want for your engine. We have a full line of engine sensors and an engine data collection pod for the EFIS.
Q:
Can I use my EI, Westberg, Bosch,
etc. sensor?
No. The Pod is designed and precalibrated to use the sensors we specify. Good news is you just match the colors and off you go!
Q: Can I name the gauges
whatever I want?
Of course! The gauges shown as
RPM, Manifold Pressure (Mfp) and the sixteen (16) engine gauges can be
configured as whatever you'd like them to be. You can name them, set the
minimum and maximum limits, redline (if needed) and a valid range of values
to spot a dead sensor. It's your airplane -- set it up your way.
Q:
How are map and database updates supplied?
Chart and database updates are downloaded form the website for use with the supplied USB memory stick. Just plug it in and go..
Q:
What areas are covered on the maps?
Both the aviation database and high resolution terrain data is available worldwide. If you fly to Antarctica, we've got the runways..
Q:
What do the updates cost?
Database and chart updates are bundled with annual support for $395 a year for the EFIS/One/EFIS/Sport and $195 for the EFIS/Lite Gen3. All have the Jeppesen worldwide database. This service also gives you access to email and telephone support and system upgrades as they are released.
Q: I'm
flying an auto engine. Can EFIS/One be used with my Mazda / Subaru / V8 / etc?
Yes, we've got flying Wankel, turoshaft, turbojet and at least two rocket engines that we know about. We can handle anything from 9 cylinder radials to PT-6s, Rotaxes and Subies.
Q: Can EFIS/One be used on a twin?
Absolutely.
Q: Is EFIS/One
certified for GPS approaches?
On
the advice of our most
trusted avionics dealer
and partner, we have decided
not to pursue it. For
what it will cost to do
TSO C129A testing and certification,
we'd have to raise the
price of the EFIS by more
than the cost of a high-volume
certified unit. We
think it's a better deal
to have a reasonably priced
glass cockpit, and the
interconnect available
for those who want to fly
GPS approaches. If
you have a certified GPS,
you can plug it in to drive
the flight director and
autopilot in approach mode.
Q:
How do I set up EFIS in my
plane?
The
Setup and Calibration programs
supplied with the system allow
you to define what the sensors
are providing and a way to
map that data to the information
you want to see. The Airspeed
indicator, for example, has
V speeds and colored arcs as
part of Setup so your EFIS
fits your airplane.
Q: Does EFIS/One do voice announcement of Altitude Alerts, etc.?
Coming soon.
Q:
Where can I see EFIS?
At
Oshkosh, Sun and Fun, or
at our offices in Tennessee. Call
to schedule a demo. We'd
love to show it to you!
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