Garmin Adds Graphical Notams Overlay on SmartCharts

Garmin has added graphical notams overlay capability to its SmartCharts dynamic charting in the Garmin Pilot app. Graphical notams gives users a quick view on the airport diagram of active runway, taxiway, and ramp closures and conditional closures, as well as current field condition (FICON) codes on runway labels.

The SmartCharts dynamic charting is available for the Apple iOS version of Garmin Pilot with the premium subscription. SmartCharts coverage is available in the U.S. and Bahamas. Garmin Pilot previously introduced graphical depiction of notams on its dynamic chart in 2020.

Users can switch the SmartCharts graphical notams layer on or off. Color-coding shows the status of closures, for example, red for a closed runway, taxiway, or ramp, along with a yellow X at each end of a closed runway. A yellow runway or taxiway is conditionally closed, indicating that the pilot needs to review the applicable notam to see when the closure applies. A clock icon indicates that a runway closure is time-based.

If there is a FICON code in the runway label, it will be colorized based on the lowest number in the notam, Garmin explained, or the word “FICON” will be shown to indicate that there is a FICON notam with no code.

Garmin Pilot has also been updated with storm tops information, which depicts storm intensity.