The KMD 250 is slightly smaller than the 550 or the 850. With a 3.8-inch diagonal display, compared with the five-inch screen of the KMD 550, the size difference is slight. The 250 measures three inches in height, compared to four inches for the 550. The software and remaining capabilities on the KMD 250 are nearly identical to those on the KMD 550, so pilots familiar with one of the company's other MFDs will have an easy time transitioning to the new hardware.
Bendix/King will offer two versions of the KMD 250, one that gets its GPS data from a separate GPS navigator and one that has a built-in GPS. The model with the built-in GPS can be used as a standalone VFR unit, or it can be interfaced with a separate GPS, such as Bendix/King's KLN 94 color IFR-approved moving map GPS. With the built-in GPS option, the system will automatically continue on a flight plan entered into a KLN 94 if that unit's operation is interrupted for any reason.
With these few changes, Bendix/King has been able to reduce the price of both KMD 250 displays (with built-in GPS and without) to less than $5,000 apiece. The company expects them to be available in late spring.
