Last year, Garmin introduced cost-effective Garmin Navigation Database information for South America through its newly expanded Americas OnePak, which offers coverage in North, Central, and South America. OnePak provides database updates across all Garmin avionics and a portable device for a single aircraft.
The Americas OnePak, available for compatible Garmin avionics systems for $724, includes the Garmin Navigation Database, terrain, and basemap, as well as the airport directory, IFR en route charts, VFR sectional charts, obstacles, and SafeTaxi. Garmin’s database also has instrument procedures, frequencies, and airport data. The OnePak subscription also provides existing Garmin Pilot subscribers with an upgrade to the tablet app Garmin Pilot IFR Premium that includes coverage in South America.
Garmin’s navigation database and OnePaks are compatible with the GTN 650/750 and GNS 430W/530W navcoms; G500 TXi/G600 TXi/G700 TXi/G500H TXi and G500/G600/G500H flight displays; and G1000, G1000NXi, G2000, G3000, G5000, G1000H, and G5000H integrated flight decks. Compatibility is also available for some of Garmin’s experimental flight displays and portables.
The new South American database can also be purchased for $149 for a single update and $399 for an annual subscription for the Garmin GTN 650/750 or GNS 430W/530W.
G3X Touch Now Available
Long available for the experimental aircraft market, Garmin’s G3X Touch integrated flight displays are now available in nearly 600 certified aircraft.
List prices with the display, installation kit, GPS antenna, AHRS sensor, and magnetometer start at $7,995 for a single 7-inch display and $9,995 for a 10.6-inch display. Included in those prices are Garmin’s Connext wireless connectivity and synthetic vision.
The G3X can operate as a standalone VFR navigator; for IFR, it can be paired with Garmin navigators and navcoms such as the new GPS 175/GNX 375, GTN 650/750, GNS 430W/530W, GNS 480, SL 30/40, and GNC 255. The Connext capability allows wireless flight plan transfer and sharing of traffic, weather, and backup attitude information with a compatible mobile device.
G3X Touch can display VFR sectional, IFR en route, and geo-referenced instrument approach charts. When connected to the GEA 24, engine information for engines up to six cylinders can be displayed on G3X Touch, including “engine gauges, color bands, alerts, fuel, and other vital information,” according to Garmin.
Buyers can opt for the GMA 345/342 audio panels, which add auto squelch, 3D Audio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The G3X Touch can control two comm radios such as the GNC 255 navcom, GTR com, and GTN 650/750 navigators. Garmin’s GTS 800 active traffic system is also an option.
For aircraft owners who have already installed a Garmin G5 electronic flight instrument, this can now be a backup instrument for the G3X display. The GFC 500 autopilot can be installed with a G3X Touch display providing attitude information, so the G5 is not needed for the autopilot (although it might be handy as a backup instrument). In a GFC 500 installation with a G3X and G5, if there is a miscompare between the two displays, “the GFC 500 autopilot will choose the best available source and continue to function normally,” according to Garmin.
Coupled IFR and visual approaches, including fully coupled go-arounds during missed approach sequencing, are available when the G3X Touch is paired with the GFC 500 autopilot and a GTN 650/750 or Garmin’s new GPS 175 or GNX 375 navigators.
Lower-cost Navigators
Garmin’s new GPS navigators, the GPS 175 and GNX 375, included WAAS/LPV approach capability. Both units measure 6.25-inches wide by 2 inches tall, making installation easier where panel space is tight.
The new navigators feature a color touchscreen display, and they are already certified for installation in more than 700 aircraft makes/models (Class I/II aircraft weighing less than 6,000 pounds).
The two units offer similar capabilities, including moving map, flight planning, display of Garmin SafeTaxi charts, and more, while the GNX 375 has a built-in transponder and provides ADS-B Out and dual-link ADS-B In. Although not yet required in Brazil, ADS-B Out becomes mandatory in most U.S. airspace after December 31, 2019, and Brazilian aircraft flown to the U.S. will need to be in compliance.
Some of the features of the two navigators include Connext wireless cockpit connectivity for transferring flight plans with Garmin Pilot and FltPlan Go EFB apps as well as sharing GPS position and backup attitude information with compatible devices. The GNX 375’s ADS-B In weather information (available only in the U.S.) can also be displayed on mobile devices, along with Garmin’s TargetTrend and TerminalTraffic (on Garmin Pilot).
The GPS 175 retails for $4,995 and the GNX 375 for $7,995. Pilots can learn how to operate the new units with Garmin’s free GPS 175/GNX 375 trainer app for iOS devices.
G5000 for Excel/XLS
Garmin’s G5000 integrated flight deck upgrade for the Cessna Citation Excel/XLS is now FAA approved and available from Garmin dealers qualified to install the package, along with Textron Aviation service centers.
The upgrade replaces the original avionics with three landscape-oriented split-screen displays and touchscreen-control pilot interfaces, as well as a new digital automatic flight control system with standard emergency descent mode. Garmin’s underspeed protection is optional and it also enables fully coupled go-arounds. ADS-B Out is standard, as is PBN/RNP 0.3 and LPV/APV approach capability.
Controller-pilot datalink communication-departure clearance is available with additional optional equipment, enabling pilots to use wireless clearance delivery receipt at more than 60 airports in the U.S., along with automatic loading of the clearance into the G5000 avionics. Upcoming FAA Data Comm capabilities will allow pilots to communicate via text-like messaging with FAA air route traffic control centers by year-end. This option will also allow European operators to meet Link 2000+ requirements.
Optional G5000 features for the Excel/XLS include synthetic vision, Garmin SurfaceWatch runway safety features, datalink weather via Iridium, Doppler weather radar, and Garmin’s Flight Stream 510 providing Connext wireless connectivity in the flight deck. Connext enables wireless flight plan transfer and sharing of traffic, weather, GPS, and other information among multiple mobile devices, as well as Database Concierge for wireless database updates from the Garmin Pilot app.
Touchscreen Engine Displays
Garmin G500 and G600 TXi touchscreen displays can now be used for engine indication system (EIS) information for turboprop singles powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engines. The TXi displays’ EIS capability is compatible with the Cessna 208 series, Daher TBM 700 through 850, and Piper PA-46s modified by JetProp. Prices for a standalone EIS TXi for these airplanes start at $14,800.
In addition to standard turboprop engine indications such as torque, prop rpm, gas generator rpm, ITT, and oil pressure and temperature, fuel flow, and electrical system status, the EIS TXi can be configured for dynamic indications such as limitation markings that change depending on pressure altitude and outside air temperature. Limitations can also be timed, and the EIS will warn the pilot with a countdown timer next to the associated gauge when a parameter is being exceeded. The EIS will also record any exceedances when the time-based limit is exceeded, including the parameter, duration, highest value recorded, time, date, and other information.
All normal and exceedance information is stored on an SD card in the TXi, including aircraft performance, engine data logging, and engine and flight cycles. The data can be downloaded from the SD card or wirelessly sent to the Garmin Pilot app on a tablet computer when the TXi display or GTN 650/750 navigators are paired with a Garmin Flight Stream 510 wireless gateway.
The TXi displays are available in a 10.6-inch version, which can show primary flight display, multifunction display, and EIS information, as well as on a dedicated EIS on a 7-inch display in portrait format. The displays include an integrated fuel computer for monitoring fuel burn and using GPS to calculate fuel range, endurance, and fuel-at-destination.