Garmin has released a OnePak database subscription for its new guided visual approaches, which can be flown in aircraft equipped with Garmin avionics capable of radius-to-fix legs.
The new approaches allow pilots to receive lateral and vertical navigation guidance to runway ends at airports with complex geographical or airspace constraints. Pilot workload is lower when flying guided visual approach procedures, which are labeled as “RNAV G” in the avionics, and the approaches can also be flown coupled to the autopilot.
So far, Garmin and its partner Hughes Aerospace have published 31 approaches to 25 airports, including Aspen Runway 15 (KASE), Teterboro Runway 01 (KTEB), Van Nuys Runway 34L (KVNY), Truckee Runway 29 and 11 (KTRK), Scottsdale Runway 21 (KSDL), and many others. More guided visuals are planned by the partners. The OnePak annual subscription to add guided visual approaches is an additional $500.
Avionics that qualify to use the guided visual approaches include GTN/GTN Xi navigators, WAAS GPS products, and select Garmin integrated flight decks. Guided visual approaches can be displayed on select Garmin cockpit displays and using the Hughes iOS app. The approaches are loaded into the avionics using the same process as any procedure.
“We are confident these approach procedures will help simplify approaches for pilots who often find themselves in challenging terrain or airport environments,” said Creighton Scarpone, Garmin director of airline and business aviation sales.
In other Garmin news, the company has unveiled its first DME avionics, the GDM 4500 and GDM 450R (remote). The new DMEs will be available in the third quarter of this year.
Both can display DME information on Garmin integrated flight decks and TXi displays, with two DME frequencies selectable, DME hold capability, and the ability to scan and tune up to three additional DME frequencies (with an optional enablement).
According to Garmin, “Pilots can leverage this multi-channel capability for DME-DME area navigation using distance calculations from two or more DME ground stations to determine the aircraft’s position for RNAV routes. Additionally, the free-scan capability allows the system to search for DMEs in range.”
Garmin also introduced a new display size for its TXi series, the 12.1-inch TXi. A touchscreen display, the 12.1-inch TXi has a 33% larger active display area than the 10.6-inch display. Availability is expected in the third quarter of this year.