Operators of certain Part 27 helicopters can now install Garmin’s GI 275 electronic flight instruments under a field approval process. In the fourth quarter, Garmin expects to receive a follow-on supplemental type certificate for use of the GI 275 as a replacement for attitude and horizontal situation indicators in helicopters.
Garmin's GI 275 mounts from the rear of instrument panels and fits in standard 3.125-inch instrument holes, simplifying the replacement of older flight instruments. Pilot control of the GI 275 is via touchscreen and dual concentric knobs.
Installations that can be done now include the GI 275 as a course-deviation indicator (CDI), radar altimeter display, and multifunction display. According to Garmin, “The GI 275 has completed stringent helicopter vibration and temperature testing, demonstrating it can withstand the harsh operating environments encountered by helicopters.”
For CDI installations, the GI 275 can interface with legacy navigators, thanks to its built-in omnibearing resolver. It can also accept up to two GPS and two VHF nav sources and can display vertical and lateral GPS, VOC/LOC, and glideslope deviation.
The MFD installation enables the display of moving map, flight data, weather, traffic, Garmin SafeTaxi airport diagrams, and radar altimeter information.
The GI 275 also includes built-in Wi-Fi so database updates can be transferred wirelessly to a single GI 275 or synced with multiple units installed in an aircraft. The Wi-Fi capability also enables sharing of GPS position and backup attitude information with the Garmin Pilot app.