The Experimental Aircraft Association, FAA and Dynon Avionics announced a “breakthrough” that will improve flight safety and reduce avionics upgrade costs for owners of certain type-certified aircraft. In making the announcement today during Sun ’n’ Fun 2016 in Lakeland, Fla., EAA, FAA and Dynon officials said they have established an STC process for installing the Dynon EFIS-D10A (typically priced at less than $2,300) as a replacement for the primary attitude indicator in specific Cessna (150, 152 and 172) and Piper (PA28 and PA38) models, with more to come.

“Everybody involved from EAA, Dynon and the FAA was dedicated to the success of this inaugural project, made possible by EAA’s strong working relationship with the FAA’s Small Airplane Directorate,” said EAA chairman and CEO Jack Pelton. “This STC process will allow aircraft owners to have the latest proven safety technology available in the cockpit at lower cost. I also want to emphasize that this is not an exclusive agreement; EAA and FAA are ready and eager to work with other companies to develop similar STCs for their products and expand the approved model list for additional type-certified aircraft.”

EAA worked with the FAA to allow the Dynon EFIS-D10A to be installed without the traditional technical standard order (TSO) or parts manufacturer approval (PMA) requirement. Dynon’s product is also verified against the recently developed ASTM 3153-15, the standard specification for verification of avionics systems. The Dynon unit was flight tested in Oshkosh, Wis., earlier this year in EAA’s Cessna 172M with FAA observation.

Cost and the application process for the STC will be finalized in the coming weeks. Dynon's website said the cost of the STC, available through EAA, will be "nominal." Dynon’s product will be available through its established distributor network and factory direct.