Aspen Avionics announced today the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval of Connected Pilot, the first in the series of the company’s revolutionary Connected Panel™ product line that provides a wireless link between certified instrument panel avionics and portable smart devices. Leveraging Aspen’s Approved Model List, Connected Pilot is available to operators and owners of over 900 makes and models of aircraft, and is available for $2,499 through authorized dealers.

The patent-pending Connected Pilot can be integrated with the popular Aspen Evolution 1500, 2000, or 2500 flight display systems, and seamlessly synchronizes aviation application data from personal handheld devices with the certified avionics installed in an aircraft’s panel. Designed for Apple iOS mobile devices, such as iPads and iPhones, Connected Pilot is able to receive data, such as own ship position, from almost any panel-mounted GPS navigator. Additionally, Connected Pilot can enter and synchronize flight plans between Garmin GNS 400W/500W series navigators and Connected Panel Enabled™ flight planning apps.

“Since we announced the Connected Panel concept last year, we have seen other product offerings introduced onto the market that provide data out capabilities from the panel to handheld devices. These are, by and large, limited point solutions that provide a single piece of functionality, like GPS position to the handheld,” saysAspen’s Vice President of Marketing, Brad Hayden. “Connected Pilot is much more than that because it provides synchronized, two-way communication between the mobile device and the aircraft’s certified avionics. It’s also expandable, and can grow in functionality over time as new Connected products are developed.”

Connected Pilot includes hardware, software, and application components. The hardware is enclosed in a small box called the CG100 (patent-pending) that is blind mounted behind the aircraft’s panel. The CG100 contains the operating software, wireless connectivity (WiFi) and flash memory storage, and is configured and maintained via Aspen’s Flight Connect app. The Flight Connect app is available via the iTunes store.

Connected Panel uses cloud-based technology to activate and maintain the CG100 operating system and databases. Biennial renewal for Aspen’s cloud service is $50. Aspen is offering early Connected Pilot customers a two-year complimentary access to Aspen’s cloud-based subscription service.

“While Aspen has created the hardware and software environment to make the integration between smart devices and certified avionics work, it’s the Connected Panel Enabled development partners who really bring this product to life for our customers,” continued Hayden. “It will be new certified avionics hardware and mobile applications that will continue to increase functionality and integration capability for Connected Pilot owners, and thereby help guarantee their investment in their aircraft’s panels.”

Aspen’s current Connected Panel Enabled partners include: AOPA, AvConnect, Avidyne, Bendix/King, BlackBox Aviation Systems, Coradine Aviation Systems, Digital Sectional, Fltplan.com, ForeFlight, Hilton Software LLC, iFlightPlanner.com, Jeppesen, J.P. Instruments, Parrot, Pinnacle Aerospace, PS Engineering Incorporated, Seattle Avionics Software, and Sporty’s Pilot Shop. These partners offer a variety of solutions that are either now available, or will be available for purchase in the coming weeks and months, that enhance and streamline the way pilots manage all flight related data. Additional partners are being added regularly.

Interested development partners are asked to submit the request for SDK/API documentation via the websitewww.connectedpanel.com/contact. There are no licensing or royalty fees.

About Connected Panel

The Connected Panel system includes hardware, software and application components that provide two-way wireless communications between portable smart devices and panel-mounted avionics. The power to streamline flight-related activities is enabled via Aspen’s Evolution Flight Displays and a blind-mounted Connected Gateway box. A vibrant community of partners – inside and outside the aviation industry – is developing applications and products that will offer convenient and powerful tools to use, manage, store, and share flight data. Connected Panel technology allows you to tie your world together seamlessly into a fully integrated flying experience. For more information, visit www.connectedpanel.com.

About Aspen Avionics, Inc.

Aspen Avionics specializes in bringing the most advanced technology and capability into general aviation cockpits—and budgets. Our products increase situational awareness and reduce pilot workload, making it easier and safer to fly in both VFR and IFR conditions. The way we look at it, getting the latest avionics technologyshouldn’t always mean spending a lot of money—on equipment or installation. At Aspen Avionics, we design products to be affordable, easy to install, and easy to own.