Story ID: 
Piper’s M-Class Gets Upgrades, New Options
By: Chad Trautvetter
Caption: Garmin G1000 NXi is now certified on both the Piper M500 turboprop single and M350 pressurized piston single.
Word Count: 297
The Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite is now certified on both the Piper Aircraft M500 turboprop single and M350 pressurized piston single, the Vero Beach, Florida aircraft manufacturer announced Tuesday at Sun ’n‘ Fun 2018. Piper is also set to offer the next-generation Garmin avionics as an STC’d retrofit option for in-service G1000-equipped Matrix, Mirage/M350, and Meridian/M500 airplanes later this year.

Garmin's G1000 NXi features wireless cockpit connectivity, enhanced situational awareness, visual approaches, map, terrain, traffic and other overlays on the horizontal situation indicator, and more new capabilities. Its faster processing power supports improved map rendering and smoother panning throughout the displays. Optional features such as SurfaceWatch, Flight Stream 510, and improved ADS-B options, such as the GTX 345, are also available for M350s and M500s with the G1000 NXi.

Meanwhile, the Safe Flight SCc angle of attack (AoA) system will soon be certified on the M600 and available as option on new airplanes and retrofit for in-service M600s by the third quarter, Piper said. AoA information will be displayed via Safe Flight’s head-up AoA Indexer mounted on the glareshield. The M600 will receive the AoA information from the existing lift transducer and stall-protection computer.

Similarly, the Safe Flight AOA system will be available as an option for all Piper Archers, Arrows, and Seminoles beginning in second-quarter 2019, both as a factory option and retrofit. These aircraft will be fitted with an additional lift transducer installed on the leading edge of the wing for measuring lift and AoA.

In addition, the Seneca V will be upgraded later this year to the G1000 NXi avionics platform. Piper expects to begin deliveries of the Seneca V with the new Garmin avionics in the fourth quarter.