Avidyne is adding interface options for its MLX 770/780 datalink receivers that will let pilots view graphical weather information on a variety of electronic flight bag (EFB) portable computers.

The Massachusetts avionics maker has partnered with Advanced Data Research Florida to deliver the weather information to the EFB maker’s line of products.
Avidyne has also struck a deal with weather data supplier WSI to interface with other manufacturers’ EFBs running WSI InFlight Version 5.0 software. ADR Florida has “ported” Avidyne’s Flightmax display software to its EFBs, which provides a cleaner looking interface, according to an Avidyne spokesman.

Previously, MLX 770/780 weather data could be displayed only on a FlightMax cockpit multifunction display.

The MLX units link through the Iridium satellite network to receive weather data, which supplies worldwide Metar reports and Nexrad radar images in most of Europe, all of the U.S., and Australia and southern Canada. Also available to MLX buyers as part of the WSI service is a synthetic radar product that uses satellite imagery to provide weather graphics in South America, Africa and southern China, along with worldwide lightning strike data and winds/temperatures aloft.  

The MLX 770 includes an Iridium data receiver and antenna, while the MLX 780 adds a telephone handset for making calls while flying anywhere in the world. Avidyne last month started offering the MLX 770 at a promotional price of $9,990, which includes two years or 200 hours of free weather updates. The MLX 780 carries a list price of $14,990.