Phoenix Heliparts and Aspen Avionics, manufacturer of the Evolution flight display system, are preparing to receive an FAA supplemental type certificate for the installation of Aspen’s H-series primary flight displays (PFD) and multifunction flight displays (MFD) in the MD500. Aspen’s H-series PFD and MFD systems are designed and manufactured specifically for the helicopter operational environment. According to a Phoenix Heliparts spokesman, the PFD is a lightweight, compact, all solid-state digital replacement for legacy electro-mechanical flight instruments. The system includes an attitude and heading reference system; an electronic HSI with moving map that displays GPS flight-plan legs, waypoints, navaids and airports; and an electronic attitude direction indicator with airspeed and altitude tapes. It also includes emergency GPS with a 30-minute backup battery. “The level of safety and situational awareness that the Aspen system brings to the helicopter market is phenomenal,” said Anson Gray, Aspen’s helicopter program manager. “The MD500 is a hard-working platform that serves many operational roles. The Aspen [Evolution] puts all the flight-critical information in one place, which reduces pilot workload significantly.”