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Avionics

Aspen’s Evolution VFR: Scaled Down, Lower Cost

Aspen Avionics said its market survey showed that many VFR pilots would purchase primary flight displays, but can’t justify the high cost of the upgrade. How high? In some cases, a single-screen PFD retrofit can cost $15,000 and higher.

Larry Anglisano
Verified

Aspen Avionics said its market survey showed that many VFR pilots would purchase primary flight displays, but can’t justify the high cost of the upgrade. How high? In some cases, a single-screen PFD retrofit can cost $15,000 and higher.

That’s one reason why the VFR-only LSA market is appealing. Many LSAs come with full-featured non-certified PFD models from Dynon, Advanced Flight Systems and even Garmin, to name a few.
But in lower-end certified aircraft, some owners are stuck with steam gauges because high-end, high-priced PFD products like the Garmin G500 and Aspen’s own Evolution are geared toward IFR aircraft and pilots with IFR missions.

Larry Anglisano

Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.