Gulf Coast Avionics has completed its first dual Garmin G600 TXi touchscreen avionics upgrade on a Beechcraft King Air B200, the Lakeland, Florida company announced earlier this week. “King Airs are unquestionably the most popular turboprops, and Garmin provides the most capable touchscreen displays. When we put them both together, we create an airplane that will deliver unmatched capabilities, efficiency, reliability, and safety,” said Gulf Coast Avionics president and CEO Rick Garcia.
The installation on the 1993-era airplane included dual 10.6-inch G600 TXi displays, dual GTN 750 GPS navcoms, GMA 35c remote audio panel, GTX 345 ADS-B Out/In transponder, GDL 69A XM Weather datalink receiver, and GSB 15 USB power ports from Garmin, as well as a Mid-Continent MD302 standby attitude module. Gulf Coast also incorporated integration solutions for the existing Rockwell Collins APS-65 autopilot and BendixKing RDR-2000 weather radar.
Besides the advanced features offered by the upgrade, Gulf Coast Avionics sales manager Matt Schloss said it also significantly increased reliability of the avionics and resulted in a “considerable reduction” in the aircraft's gross weight. The latter will allow the EMS operator to carry more medical equipment on board, he added.