Garmin Pilot Apple Update Brings Three App Enhancements

Garmin updated its Pilot app for Apple devices with three changes: a redesigned Flights page, an expansion of SmartCharts for Canada and Mexico, and improvements to support for the FISK VFR Arrival ahead of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026.

The new Flights page replaces the previous Trip Planning page and consolidates route planning, weight and balance, fuel planning, and flight briefing into a single interface. Quickset cards allow users to enter data and expand to view additional details. The update aligns the mobile app experience with Garmin Pilot Web.

SmartCharts, previously available in the U.S. and Bahamas, will expand to Canada and Mexico in August for Garmin Pilot Premium subscribers. Pilots operating in those regions will gain access to the continuous descent final approach path on the vertical profile view, which Garmin said supports a more stable approach on nonprecision procedures. Cold-weather altitude adjustments will be available for cold-temperature-restricted airports in Canada and the U.S. In addition, a worldwide subscription option is available for pilots operating across multiple regions.

“The redesigned Flights page delivers a more intuitive flight planning experience with integrated routing, weight and balance, and fuel planning tools,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin v-p, aviation sales and marketing. “The highly requested expansion of SmartCharts brings this simple, dynamic charting solution to more pilots flying in North America.”

For AirVenture, the FISK VFR Arrival SmartCharts procedure now includes additional labels to identify waypoints and key details, colored runway dots and squares matching those used by air traffic control, and a direct link to the EAA AirVenture notam. Beginning July 9, users can also load the FISK procedure as a standard terminal arrival route into compatible Garmin avionics via the database cycle update, enabling autopilot coupling along the arrival route.