At EAA AirVenture 2024, Garmin is once again sharing information about its avionics products, both with demonstrations inside its pavilion and with customer aircraft. The Olathe, Kansas-based avionics manufacturer also introduced two new slimline com radios for experimental aircraft, the panel-mount GTR 205x and remote-mount GTR 205xR.
Available now, the GTR 205x and 205xR offer 10-watt power with 16 watts optional for the panel-mount version. The remote radio is controllable using Garmin’s G3X Touch display. Both include a worldwide frequency database and frequencies that can be searched via an airport identifier; frequency memory and recall; quick-tune to 121.5 by holding the volume knob; and a built-in count-up or -down timer.
With built-in two-place intercom and speaker output, the GTR 205x radios feature 3D audio processing that “creates the illusion that each audio source is coming from a unique location or seat position by transmitting different responses in each ear,” according to Garmin. “Active and standby frequencies are separated in the headset, making it easier for the pilot to differentiate between sources.” Bluetooth functionality is available in the panel-mount radio, which displays song and artist information on the sunlight-readable display as well as signal strength and battery life of the connected device.
In the certified avionics market, Garmin unveiled its new GMC 605C autopilot mode controller with a color LCD screen and a new flight-level change mode. The LCD provides twice the screen area of the previous controller, and active and armed modes are easier to differentiate with color mode annunciations. These are now split into three sections, lateral modes, autopilot status, and
vertical modes.
Garmin has certified its GFC 500 digital autopilot approvals, adding the Cessna 190 and 195. The Cessna 210-5 (the first 210 model but with fixed landing gear) will be added to the approval list in August.
At the Garmin AirVenture pavilion, owners who brought aircraft for display include Stevie Triesenberg with her Cessna 140A and Bonanza C35; Josh Flowers and his G3X Touch-equipped Cessna 172; Mindy Lindheim’s Cessna 182 and a full stack of GI 275 instruments, GTN 650Xi navigator and GFC 500 autopilot; a Lancair Legacy owned by Henry Lawrence with G3X Touch displays, GTN 750Xi navigator, and GFC500X autopilot; and Wisconsin Aviation’s Cirrus SR22 highlighting the company’s retrofit program with G500 TXis displays, GTN Xi navigator, and GFC 500 autopilot.
Visitors will be able to take advantage of promotions on database updates at AirVenture and secure discounts and rebates on various products.
Visitors can sign up for avionics training sessions, which take place from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. CDT July 22 to 26. These cover product overviews, installation instructions, and various training courses on navigators, displays, autopilots, engine monitors, and the Garmin Pilot app. Promotional pricing is available for customers buying database updates at AirVenture and for certain Garmin avionics products.