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Joby Aviation Selects G3000 for Revolutionary eVTOL Aircraft

The Garmin aviation team announced a long-term agreement to provide the state-of-the-art G3000® integrated flight deck to Joby Aviation for their revolutionary all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which is expected to commence commercial operations in 2024. Our decades of experience deploying certified avionics solutions to new markets continues with the touchscreen G3000 integrated flight deck for eVTOL aircraft in the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market. The G3000 integrated flight deck has amassed extensive field service history, and with this derivation of the system into the eVTOL segment, it leverages that proven experience while offering advanced integration functionality in a compact design with unparalleled capabilities.

“Garmin has a remarkable track record of developing innovative and reliable products,” said Joby Aviation founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt. “They are market leaders in this space and we’re proud to have their advanced technology onboard.”

“We are excited and proud of this strategic relationship with Joby Aviation to provide the advanced Garmin G3000 integrated flight deck for their revolutionary eVTOL aircraft,” said Phil Straub, Garmin executive vice president and managing director, aviation. “To be selected and trusted by Joby, an industry leader in this new market, is truly an honor. Garmin looks forward to continuing our extensive history of proven success in introducing innovative avionics technologies aligned with our vision for urban air mobility and the broader aviation industry. We are confident the G3000 will ultimately help Joby provide advanced, efficient, and scalable air taxi services for years to come.”

The modular G3000 integrated flight deck boasts light weight and vibrant high-resolution flight displays that support navigation, communication and flight sensor solutions and integrates seamlessly with Joby’s aircraft systems. Specifically tailored to meet the needs of eVTOL aircraft, the G3000 system that will be featured in Joby’s eVTOL aircraft delivers enhanced capabilities to optimize their air mobility service through tight integration with the vehicle mission computer and tailoring of flight guidance display indications. Further, the G3000 will be architected to provide the ability to efficiently facilitate future system upgrades as the Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) industry continues to evolve.

Joby Aviation is a California headquartered company developing an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. After more than a decade of engineering and development, Joby intends to operate the aircraft as a fast, quiet and affordable air mobility service as early as 2024. The piloted, zero-emissions aircraft, will be capable of transporting four passengers up to 150 miles on a single charge, with a top cruising speed of 200 mph. It is designed to help reduce urban congestion and accelerate the shift to sustainable modes of transit. Designed for daily life, the aircraft lands vertically and provides flexibility and versatility to serve nearly any community.

The post Joby Aviation Selects G3000 for Revolutionary eVTOL Aircraft appeared first on Garmin Blog.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/joby-aviation-selects-g3000-for-revolutionary-evtol-aircraft/

Maximizing Battery Life In Portable Electronics: What You Need To Know

Now more than ever, the management of battery capacity is a key factor in delivering a positive or negative experience with portable electronic devices, and ultimately the value your customers derive from them. Running out of battery power and losing access to a battery-powered device can result in a range of frustration — from significant inconvenience to full-blown destruction of key business value. In this blog post, we’re going to talk about essential considerations for how battery life is managed in portable electronic devices.

Over the years, Appareo has worked with many different battery chemistries — from alkaline batteries (e.g. “AA” or “AAA” batteries) that we use in common household devices such as remotes and toys, to specialized chemistries like lithium thionyl chloride for extreme environments. Our focus in this blog post is going to be on lithium-ion polymer batteries, the common battery chemistry used for rechargeable cells. 

How Electronics Consumers Can Improve Total Battery Life

Tip 1: Keep a battery well charged and charge it between uses, even if (especially if) you didn’t use most of the battery.
The first reason batteries age and hold less charge is due to the number of cycles. What constitutes a “cycle?” There’s no consensus in the battery community, but in general, a cycle is the function of taking a charged battery, consuming some of its energy, and then replacing that energy by recharging the battery. When less of the battery is consumed, it’s less stress on the battery. Therefore, it’s better for you to recharge a battery after consuming a little bit, as compared to draining the battery completely before recharging. 

Tip 2: Keep your battery out of hot environments, especially when being stored for longer periods of time.
Another reason batteries permanently lose capacity is due to heat stress. If a battery is exposed to high temps (hotter than 86°F) for extended periods of time, the battery will permanently lose charge. This commonly happens with portable electronic devices that are left in hot cars for hours or days at a time, where high temperatures will stress the battery and destroy its potential. 

How Manufacturers Can Improve Total Battery Life

There are reasons that battery life may be diminished that aren’t in the control of the consumer, but instead have to do with the way electronics are specified and implemented. When design engineering a portable electronic device, manufacturers should consider how long customers expect the battery to last, and how much time customers expect to be able to use the device on a charge. One of the ways manufacturers can affect battery performance is by controlling the capacity the battery is operated at. Controlling the capacity involves picking a range that creates the longest battery life, and only operating the battery in that range (e.g. between 25% and 85%). Most batteries will have a longer life in this charge condition than if the battery is operated persistently between 50% and 100% capacity, for example. 

A second way manufacturers can have control in this area involves managing the voltage at which the battery is charged. Lowering the charging voltage prevents the battery from getting fully recharged. For example, most batteries are charged at 4.2V. If the charge voltage is lowered to 4.0V, customers may only be able to charge the battery to about 75% of its rated capacity, leaving 25% of the potential battery life on the table. Doing this will increase the number of cycles the battery can withstand by a factor of 2-3 (e.g. from 500 to 1,500 cycles). 

Either one, or both, of these approaches will sacrifice total capacity of the battery to improve the life of the battery, and in some applications may be worth the tradeoff. 

Christopher Horne – Director, Electrical and Electronics Design

https://www.appareo.com/2021/02/08/maximizing-battery-life-in-portable-electronics-what-you-need-to-know/

Bell Certifies Appareo Device for New Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring Program

Appareo’s Aircraft Communication Units (ACUs) are highly-capable, well-connected mobile computers for a broad range of aircraft types

Earlier this month, Bell Textron Inc. announced the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of an Appareo-developed aircraft communication unit (ACU), which is the on-aircraft component of the Bell QuantiFLY system. Currently available for the Bell 407GXi and Bell 429, QuantiFLY was developed to enable Bell operators to be actionable and drive safety through an affordable, lightweight, and fully automatic flight data monitoring (FDM) solution.

“Bell selected Appareo Systems for connectivity hardware based on its proven track record for both world-wide cellular telematics and aircraft data monitoring. The device utilizes cellular (4G LTE / 3G GSM) on the ground data transmission to offboard aircraft flight parameters and maintenance data via cloud for processing and analytics.” – Bell news release

“Throughout our relationship with Bell, we have witnessed their commitment to provide Bell customers with innovative technology to enhance the safety of their operations and improve their flight experience,” said David Batcheller, President & CBO of Appareo. “Appareo was pleased to partner with Bell on the development of the hardware solution for their new FDM service, and we’re excited that the newly STC’d QuantiFLY is ready to deliver actionable data to Bell customers.”

Appareo’s line of ACUs are lightweight computing and communications devices that function as a data acquisition system for FDM or flight operations quality assurance (FOQA) programs for fleet operators, or as a telematic and connectivity product for airframe manufacturers. Find full product specifications here, or contact Appareo for information about pricing.

https://www.appareo.com/2021/01/28/bell-certifies-appareo-device-for-new-helicopter-flight-data-monitoring-program/

Garmin GI 275 Electronic Flight Instrument Receives EASA Approval

Our popular GI 275 electronic flight instrument has received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval, allowing installation in over 1,000 single-engine and multi-engine aircraft models. Several variants of the GI 275 are now available to meet the needs of business and general aviation aircraft. A powerful electronic flight instrument, the GI 275 is suitable as a direct replacement for a variety of legacy primary flight instruments in the cockpit such as the attitude indicator, attitude-direction indicator (ADI), course deviation indicator (CDI), horizontal situation indicator (HSI), multi-function display (MFD), and engine indication system (EIS). In addition, the GI 275 can also be installed as a standby attitude indicator when paired with large format electronic flight displays.

“Garmin worked closely with EASA to bring the popular GI 275 to thousands more cockpits with aging flight instruments,” said Carl Wolf, vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “With this approval, the modern GI 275 electronic flight instrument gives pilots the opportunity to take an economical and scalable approach to their avionics upgrade while realizing tremendous potential with the extraordinary capability of the versatile touchscreen GI 275.”

Lightweight and compact, the GI 275 is a reliable flight instrument intentionally designed to take advantage of the common 3.125-inch flight instrument size, reducing installation time and preserving the existing aircraft panel. Its bright, high-resolution touchscreen display and wide viewing angle offers superior readability in the cockpit. A dual concentric knob allows pilots to access a variety of key functions within the flight instrument, such as adjustments to the baro setting or the airspeed bug. Highly scalable, aircraft owners can start with a single GI 275 and add up to a total of six in a single panel, paving the way for incremental upgrades and an array of individualized panel configurations.

Primary and standby attitude indicator

When installed as a primary attitude indicator, the GI 275 offers improved reliability, potential weight savings and reduced maintenance compared to less reliable, vacuum-driven attitude indicators. When the GI 275 serves as primary for attitude information, pilots can also view altitude, airspeed and heading¹ on the instrument. Optional Synthetic Vision Technology overlays a rich, 3D topographic view of terrain, traffic, obstacles, airport signposts and more, all within the GI 275 attitude display².Additional features include the display of outside air temperature, groundspeed, as well as true airspeed and wind information on the attitude indicator.

The GI 275 flight instrument is also approved for installation as a dedicated standby flight instrument to Garmin glass flight displays and is capable of serving as a back-up to a variety of third-party flight displays on the market. When installed as a standby flight instrument to the G500 TXi, the GI 275 is capable of displaying additional multifunction display features. In installations where the GI 275 is installed as a primary or standby flight instrument, a 60-minute back-up battery is included.

Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) & Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI)

When installed as a CDI or HSI, the GI 275 is designed to accept a variety of GPS and navigation inputs, allowing up to two GPS sources and two VHF navigation sources. The GI 275 features an Omni Bearing Resolver that allows the flight instrument to interface to a variety of legacy navigators on the market without the need for an expensive adapter. With an optional magnetometer, it is also capable of providing magnetic-based HSI guidance. Selecting the CDI source is simple and can be accomplished through the touchscreen interface, while course and heading selection is completed using either the touchscreen or dual concentric knob. When aircraft owners replace an older mechanical CDI or HSI, the GI 275 doubles as a modern digital indicator and adds MFD-like capabilities such as a moving map, weather, traffic and terrain.

Autopilot compatibility with the GI 275

A single GI 275³ electronic flight instrument can be used as the attitude source to drive the GFC 500 autopilot, while also displaying mode annunciations and flight director indications. For added redundancy in aircraft equipped with a dual GI 275 installation, the secondary GI 275³ is capable of coupling to the GFC 500 autopilot, as well. In the unlikely event of a primary GI 275 failure, the autopilot remains fully functional when paired with the secondary GI 275. Additional redundancy is extended to include the G500 TXi & G600 TXi flight displays, which also allow the GI 275 to couple to the GFC 500 autopilot if needed when serving as a standby instrument. Unique to the GI 275 and TXi, pilots will receive a mis-compare annunciation if the AHRS sources between the two do not align. GI 275 is also compatible with the GFC 600 digital autopilot, as well as a variety of third-party autopilots and does not require a separate interface adapter, further reducing overall cost and installation labor. The GI 275 can replace the primary attitude indicator installed with these autopilots.

Additional capabilities

Depending on the configuration and installation, the GI 275 is capable of displaying additional page functions and features beyond a traditional flight instrument. These features can include:

• A multifunction display (MFD) with a moving map can display terrain, obstacles, traffic, weather, airspace information, airways, and more.
• When interfaced to a GTX 345 or GNX 375, traffic information can be displayed on the dedicated traffic page or moving map. Patented TargetTrend relative motion technology and pop-up traffic alerts further enhance situational awareness.
• The GI 275 can also be interfaced to a variety of traffic systems, including select Traffic Advisory (TAS) and Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS). Traffic advisories are displayed on the dedicated traffic page and moving map.
• SafeTaxi airport diagrams display runways, taxiways, Fixed Based Operators (FBO’s), hangars and more relative to the aircraft’s location on the airport surface.
• Terrain shading incorporates yellow and red contouring depicting the aircraft is 1,000 and 100 feet above ground level (AGL) respectively. Terrain and obstacle information can be viewed on the terrain and map pages.
• The GI 275 uses its internal terrain and obstacle database to provide audible and visual terrain proximity alerts, including, “terrain ahead, pull up” and “obstacle ahead, pull up.”
• Engine information system with optional interface module and GEA 110 sensor has the ability to serve as a primary EIS display for piston engine, fuel, electrical and other data. Dual GI 275 flight instrument installations are able to display engine information for twin-engine aircraft.
• An airport information page displays a variety of data, including frequencies, runway dimensions and more.
• The GI 275 can be paired with the GRA 55/5500 and other third-party products to display radar altimeter on a dedicated page. Visual and aural annunciations are also available.

Built-in Wi-Fi enables Garmin’s Database Concierge, the wireless transfer of aviation databases to the GI 275. Pilots also have the option of transferring databases to the GI 275 using a USB flash drive and the GSB 15 USB charger. Databases can also be synced among multiple GI 275 flight instruments in a single cockpit. When configured to display engine information, the GI 275 can wirelessly send engine data to display within the Garmin Pilot app on Apple mobile devices. This data is also automatically synced and can also be viewed and stored on the flyGarmin website. Wireless flight plan transfer via Bluetooth is available when the GI 275 is paired with a GPS 175, GNC 355 or GNX 375. Additional wireless functions include the sharing of GPS position and back-up attitude information with Garmin Pilot.

The GI 275 is available immediately and approved for installation in over 1,000 single-engine and multi-engine aircraft models. Select Class IV aircraft also are approved; visit www.garmin.com/GI275 for additional information. For full installation details, and to purchase the GI 275, contact a Garmin Authorized Dealer. A trial period of SVT also comes with the purchase of a GI 275 when it’s configured as an attitude indicator. The GI 275 also comes with a two-year warranty and is supported by our award-winning aviation support team, which provides 24/7 worldwide technical and warranty support. For the 17th consecutive year, both Aviation International News and Professional Pilot magazine, two predominant aviation publications, awarded the Garmin aviation support team top honors for avionics product support. For additional information, visit www.garmin.com/aviation.

1. Requires an optional magnetometer
2. Features and functions depend on configuration and variant selected, visit a Garmin Authorized Dealer for additional information.
3. Requires GI 275 ADAHRS variant.

The post Garmin GI 275 Electronic Flight Instrument Receives EASA Approval appeared first on Garmin Blog.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/garmin-gi-275-electronic-flight-instrument-receives-easa-approval/

Garmin GFC 600 Digital Autopilot Approved for Select King Air C90 and E90 Aircraft

Our GFC 600 digital autopilot has received FAA STC approval in select Beechcraft King Air C90 aircraft and E90 aircraft¹. GFC 600 is optimized for turbine aircraft, delivering superior in-flight characteristics and new operational capabilities such as Vertical Navigation (VNAV), automatic Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) switching when paired with a GTN Series navigator, enhanced go-around capability and much more.

The GFC 600 certification for the Beechcraft King Air C90 and E90 provides owners and operators an autopilot upgrade that boasts superior integration potential with G600 and G600 TXi flight displays, the GI 275 electronic flight instrument, as well as the GTN and GTN Xi Series of navigators. The self-contained autopilot controller incorporates backlit keys and a bright, sunlight readable display that depicts autopilot status and mode selection. An intuitive built-in control wheel also provides convenient adjustment of aircraft pitch, airspeed and vertical speed modes. When the level button is selected, the aircraft automatically returns to straight-and-level flight.

Environmentally hardened autopilot servos designed for harsh operating conditions contain brushless DC motors offering improved performance and reducing maintenance requirements when compared to decades-old servo designs on the market today. In addition, these servos are optimized for turbine aircraft by offering more torque to help better command and respond to control demands required of turbine aircraft.

Standard mark-width design of the GFC 600 mode controller ensures the autopilot controller allows for routine installation into the aircraft’s avionics stack. Autopilot mode annunciation is available on the G600 TXi touchscreen glass flight display, as well as the G600 flight display. The addition of an optional autopilot annunciator panel also displays the selected autopilot mode in the pilot’s primary field of view and retains an identical footprint of third-party autopilot annunciators on the market.

In addition to traditional autopilot capabilities such as altitude hold, vertical speed and heading modes, the GFC 600 also includes:

• Premium functions and advanced capabilities such as altitude pre-select² and indicated airspeed hold mode
• Pilots can select, couple and fly various instrument approaches, including GPS, ILS, VOR, LOC and back course approaches³
• Built-in GPS roll steering capability eliminates the need for external roll steering converters, allowing for smoother navigation tracking when installed with a compatible navigator
• Level Mode button, which automatically engages the autopilot to restore the aircraft to straight and level flight
• Underspeed protection helps prevent the pilot from stalling the aircraft
• Overspeed protection helps prevent the pilot from exceeding aircraft maximum speed (V_NE)
• Yaw Damping (YD) mode minimizes yawing oscillations while also helping to maintain coordinated flight
• Flight Director command bars can be displayed on flight display such as the G600 and G600 TXi
• Pilots can fly coupled ‘go-arounds’ during missed approach sequencing. A remotely-installed go-around button commands the Flight Director to display the appropriate pitch attitude required for the missed approach procedure and activates a loaded missed approach when paired with a GTN 650/750 or GTN 650Xi/750Xi navigator
• Included pitch-trim servo adds automatic trim and improved manual electric trim
• Control wheel steering is available, which allows the pilot to adjust pitch, roll, altitude hold, vertical speed or airspeed references using the control yoke while the autopilot is engaged

As a standard feature, pilots receive Garmin ESP with the GFC 600 autopilot, which works to assist the pilot in maintaining the aircraft in a stable flight condition. ESP functions independently of the autopilot and works in the background to help pilots avoid inadvertent flight attitudes or bank angles and provide airspeed protection while the pilot is hand-flying the aircraft.

The GFC 600 digital autopilot for the Beechcraft King Air C90/E90 is available immediately through select Garmin authorized dealers. To view the most up-to-date aircraft STC list, to view certifications that are expected to begin in the next 12-months, or to express interest in a specific aircraft make/model for the GFC 600, visit www.garmin.com/GFC600. For additional information, visit: www.garmin.com/aviation.

^1. STC approved for Beechcraft King Air C90, C90-1, C90A, C90B, C90SE, C90GT, C90GTi, E90, and does not include those aircraft equipped with Garmin G1000/G1000 NXi, or Collins Pro Line integrated flight decks.

^2. Available on GFC 600 or Garmin flight displays.

^3. GFC 600 requires an external navigator for navigation and approach functions. See website for additional compatibility information.

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https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/garmin-gfc-600-digital-autopilot-approved-for-select-king-air-c90-and-e90-aircraft/

Airbus Helicopters Honors Garmin with Consecutive On-Time Delivery Awards

Airbus Helicopters, Inc. honored the Garmin aviation team with a 2020 On-Time Delivery Award from Airbus Helicopters, Inc. for its efficient performance related to product delivery. Garmin avionics are available as standard on select Airbus Helicopters, including the H125, H130, H135 and H145.

Each year, Airbus Helicopters, Inc. recognizes suppliers who stand out in performance, competitiveness and reliability. This is the second year in a row Garmin has won the On-Time Delivery Award for commitment and timeliness in delivering avionics to fulfill Airbus Helicopters Inc. production lines and customer orders.

“We are once again very proud to be recognized by Airbus with this prestigious award for our commitment to serve them and our mutual customers with the on-time delivery of our products,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president aviation sales and marketing. “To again receive this award is truly humbling and ultimately would not be possible without the dedication of our entire Garmin team, in addition to the gratifying strategic relationship with Airbus Helicopters.”

Garmin avionics are available as standard on the Airbus H125, including the G500H TXi flight display, GTN 650 touchscreen navigator, GNC 255 nav/comm, GMA 350c audio panel and the GTX 335R remote-mount ADS-B Out transponder. The GTN 750, GNC 255 and GTX 335R are also available as standard on the H130, while the H135/H145 feature the GTN 750 and Flight Stream 510 as standard equipment.

This marks the third consecutive year Garmin has received an award from Airbus Helicopters, Inc. In 2018, Garmin was also recognized by Airbus Helicopters, Inc. as the Supplier of Excellence for its unmatched responsiveness and competitiveness in its support of the UH-72A Lakota helicopter program, and for its overall support at the Airbus Helicopters Inc. finally assembly and completion center in Columbus, Miss.

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https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/airbus-helicopters-honors-garmin-with-consecutive-on-time-delivery-awards/

Garmin Receives Consecutive Supplier of the Year Awards from Embraer

Embraer awarded the Garmin aviation team with its 11^th Supplier of the Year award in the past 10 years. The Supplier of the Year distinction was presented in the Electric and Electronic Systems category for the G3000^® Prodigy Touch flight deck systems in the Phenom 100EV and Phenom 300E.

“We are honored to receive consecutive Supplier of the Year awards from Embraer,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “These honors go beyond the product; they represent the strong collaboration between Garmin and Embraer resulting in a terrific in-flight experience for our mutual customers. It is truly rewarding and motivating for our employees to receive eleven Supplier of the Year awards over the ten-year period”

Embraer recognized a select group of elite suppliers for their outstanding performance in various categories. The 2019 Electric and Electronic Systems award recognizes design innovation, ease of use and overall system architecture, as well outstanding efforts in production line support, quality and on-time reliability of the supply chain. This award also distinguishes our commitment to design and manufacture state-of-the-art flight deck systems, while being responsive to market needs and preferences.

This is the 11^th supplier award presented to Garmin by Embraer.

• 2019: Electric & Electronic Systems
• 2018: Electric & Electronic Systems
• 2017: Technical Support to Operator
• 2017: Electro – Electronic Systems
• 2016: Electro – Mechanical Systems
• 2015: Electro – Mechanical Systems
• 2015: Material Support to Operator
• 2014: Material Support to Operator
• 2011: Electro – Electronic Systems
• 2011: Technical Support to Operator
• 2010: Electro – Electronic Systems

Among hundreds of suppliers, best supplier recipients undergo stringent evaluation and are recognized as having shown outstanding performance, continuous improvement and increased customer satisfaction among all other suppliers in their respective categories. Nine award categories were presented among Embraer’s entire aircraft portfolio, including Executive Aviation, Defense, and Commercial Aircraft. Suppliers are considered based on several attributes, including innovation, delivery, quality, reliability, flexibility and customer support.

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https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/garmin-receives-consecutive-supplier-of-the-year-awards-from-embraer/

TXi Touchpoint: Not Your Average HSI

The horizontal situation indicator (HSI) commands a significant portion of a pilot’s attention throughout a flight, especially during instrument procedures. Your focus and attention are balanced between various instruments, processing information and deciphering data as you make decisions in the cockpit. A primary flight display that can concentrate this critical information within pilots’ primary field of view could help reduce workload and streamline actions during these critical phases of flight. We took this into consideration with our TXi flight display series and developed an HSI mapping feature that provides not only traditional heading information and course guidance, but also additional data overlays to enhance pilots’ situational awareness. This touch-interface, MFD-like map can present NEXRAD imagery and weather, as well as SafeTaxi® diagrams, traffic, terrain alerting and more.

Better understand the weather around you

The TXi HSI map can overlay SiriusXM® Aviation Satellite Weather, ADS-B datalink weather or Doppler Radar, providing a better understanding of conditions and how they relate to your current position. For an added layer of weather information, Stormscope®, cell data and lightning strike information also can be viewed within the HSI map. Plus, it’s easy to zoom in for a closer look or zoom out for a ”higher-level” view of the conditions, simply swipe your finger up and down on the touchscreen HSI display.

ADS-B traffic targets

Also, keep an eye on surrounding ADS-B-equipped traffic. On aircraft properly equipped with select ADS-B solutions and a TXi series flight display, this dual-link position tracking feature allows you to see where an aircraft target is with respect to your own aircraft’s position within the HSI map. If a target gets too close, it changes to a highlighted yellow icon for added awareness.

Terrain alerting

Hazardous terrain up ahead? The TXi HSI map presents the surrounding landscape in shades of green, yellow and red — from lowest risk to highest risk, respectively. If you’re approaching dangerous terrain, an alert will indicate the close proximity, helping the aircraft remain clear of hazards and on course.

Obstacles awareness

Stay apprised of obstacles along your flight path, like towers and buildings, while staying on course. Like terrain alerting, obstacles are displayed by degree of hazard — white indicating “no factor,” yellow to “be cautious” and red representing “danger.” As you approach dangerous obstacles, the indications become more distinct and pronounced, alerting pilots to take corrective action if necessary.

SafeTaxi airport navigation

We created SafeTaxi to help pilots navigate airports more easily. This tool displays a geo-referenced airport diagram and displays runways, taxiways and hangars relative to an aircraft’s location on the field. It also identifies hold short lines, providing pilots an even greater level of awareness to their location within the terminal environment.

WireAware and HTAWS for Helicopters

Helicopter pilots can benefit from the TXi HSI map too. Our G500H TXi for helicopters combines our WireAware wire-strike avoidance technology with optional HTAWS (Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System) data to provide a comprehensive solution. It can help identify dangerous terrain and hazardous obstacle transmission (HOT) lines for the U.S. as well as some locations in Canada and Mexico.

In addition to TXi series flight displays, select HSI mapping features and functions are available with G1000® NXi, G3000® and G5000® integrated flight decks, as well as our GI 275 electronic flight instrument. To learn more about our HSI map, and all of our safety-enhancing aviation solutions, visit Garmin.com/aviation.

Sirius, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc.

Stormscope is a registered trademark of L-3 Communications.

The post TXi Touchpoint: Not Your Average HSI appeared first on Garmin Blog.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/txi-touchpoint-not-your-average-hsi/

More Effectively Manage Engines, Fuel with Garmin Engine Indication System

The benefits of digital engine indication systems (EIS) go far beyond replacing an aging system in your aircraft. These modern, reliable solutions can offer significant improvements over older, maintenance-prone analog instruments. They also can present crucial engine and fuel information with enhanced precision. Streamlined displays with intuitive user interfaces can help reduce pilot workload, improve engine and fuel management, and add overall confidence in the cockpit. Our broad range of EIS solutions were designed with these principles in mind. From our compact GI 275 EIS to our larger format EIS TXi and G3X Touch, we have an EIS solution for nearly every aircraft type and operator budget.

GI 275 EIS: Convenient size, powerful capabilities

Don’t be fooled by the size of our GI 275 EIS. Designed to fit a standard 3-1/8” instrument cutout, this stand-alone touchscreen solution provides engine, fuel, electrical information and more in a convenient, cost-effective package. Plus, with minimal or no panel modifications required for installation, GI 275 proves ideal for aircraft owners looking to keep the classic look of their panel. It graphically displays cylinder head and exhaust gas temperatures, features lean assist mode, and monitors fuel quantity and fuel flow to estimate how much fuel, range and flight time remains.

EIS TXi: Larger display, broader aircraft applicability

Looking for more display real estate to monitor engines and fuel? Our dedicated EIS TXi presents the same essential engine, fuel and electrical information as the GI 275 EIS but with a few more features on a larger touchscreen format – available in 7” landscape or 7” portrait options. It’s available for most normally aspirated or turbocharged Lycoming/Continental 4- to 6-cylinder singles and twins, as well as select single engine turboprop aircraft.

For turboprop operators, EIS TXi can display dynamic gauge range markings for torque, prop RPM, Ng percent, interstage turbine temperature and more. Automatic, color-coded data bands based on the aircraft’s current condition will illuminate, with automatic timers and exceedance warnings prompting visual cues to flash, highlighting each out-of-limit parameter.

Integrate EIS with PFD, MFD on G500/G600 TXi, G3X Touch

Some pilots prefer a panel layout with more integration and fewer displays. Our G500/G600 TXi and G3X Touch flight displays can combine EIS information with PFD and MFD capabilities in several sizes and configurations, providing an “all-in-one” flight display solution.

For panel upgrades with space for more than one display, both the TXi and G3X Touch series offer a stand-alone EIS/MFD combination. In this layout, available for single-engine piston aircraft, the EIS indications can be viewed in either an expanded format or a condensed strip on the touchscreen, allowing pilots to view MFD information next to the engine information. The opportunities TXi and G3X Touch offer to integrate allow expanded flexibility and functionality in individual displays.

Customizable exceedance alerting and engine performance data logging

Predefined and pilot-selectable exceedance alerting comes standard with GI 275 EIS, EIS-capable TXi and G3X Touch flight displays. During installation, predefined limits are set for engine temperatures, oil pressure and more. After the install is completed, pilot-selectable alerts can be configured by operators to provide an extra level of protection. These pilot-selectable alerts are intended to signal the pilot before an exceedance is reached. Both predefined and pilot-selectable alerts prompt flashing cues, helping to identify potential out-of-limit exceedances and maintain long-term engine performance and overall health.

These EIS solutions can automatically log engine performance data for post-flight analysis. With the EIS-capable GI 275, data is automatically logged within the instrument, then can be wirelessly transmitted to a compatible mobile device downloaded with the Garmin Pilot app. Our G3X Touch displays log data to an SD card installed in the display, which can be manually uploaded to flyGarmin.com or wirelessly transmitted to Garmin Pilot. EIS-equipped TXi displays automatically log engine data within the display too, and a Flight Stream 510 (sold separately) can wirelessly transmit EIS data to Garmin Pilot. In fact, engine performance data can be wirelessly transmitted to and displayed on Garmin Pilot in-flight. After landing, and engine data is transmitted to Garmin Pilot, it is automatically uploaded to flyGarmin.com and available for post-flight review. All information in flyGarmin.com is stored securely within our web-based cloud service.

To learn more about all of our EIS solutions and latest avionics, visit Garmin.com/aviation.

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New FltPlan.com AeroData Runway Analysis Service for Business Aviation Operators

Our FltPlan.com platform now features a new integrated runway analysis service from AeroData, allowing pilots to calculate performance data while creating a flight plan through FltPlan.com. AeroData runway analysis joins Aircraft Performance Group (APG) and Automated Systems in Aircraft Performance (ASAP) runway analysis services available from FltPlan.com. All three of these runway analysis offerings through FltPlan.com eliminate the need for pilots to reference manuals and perform their own manual calculations for takeoff and landing data, ultimately resulting in time savings and more accurate performance numbers. The tailored performance data allows crews to maximize the performance of the aircraft while also assuring compliance with runway and obstacle requirements. Additional features of the AeroData service include concise engine- out escape procedures that factor in obstacles and terrain, the ability to specifically configure Takeoff- and-Landing Data (TOLD) based on conditions and limitations, automatically calculate aircraft fuel requirements based on the flight plan, integration with Garmin Pilot^TM and much more.

“AeroData is the premier runway analysis provider for commercial air carriers in North America and Garmin is excited to integrate this service with FltPlan.com for use by our business aviation customers,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “Pilots and operators now have the unique ability to calculate performance data and receive obstacle clearance while creating their flight plan on FltPlan.com – maximizing aircraft performance for the intended operation.”

AeroData expands into business aviation

As one of the leading providers of runway analysis for commercial airlines, AeroData serves over 135 airlines globally and is the data provider for more than 70 percent of airline flights in North America. The integration with FltPlan.com brings AeroData, an experienced data provider, into business aviation, giving pilots the ability to include information and calculations directly in the flight planning stage, saving valuable time and helping to increase accuracy. The more accurate performance data allows operators to optimize loading based on the consideration of airfield and aircraft conditions and provides an engine failure procedure (EFP) based on a detailed analysis of obstacles and terrain in the airport environment.

TOLD calculations

FltPlan.com’s flight planning engine automatically selects a preferred runway and aircraft configuration based on current aircraft and airfield conditions, which include the use of the current METAR, or forecast for the time of departure. Further, crews can tailor additional configurations that include runway direction; surface contaminant; runway length; weather information such as winds, temperature, and altimeter setting; aircraft flap configuration; and Minimum Equipment List (MEL) penalties. Additionally, when an aircraft is performance limited by factors such as runway condition or climb gradient requirements, crews can adjust aircraft and airfield configurations to calculate performance numbers that would help maximize aircraft operation. Applicable NOTAM information is also actively monitored and is reflected in TOLD calculations.

Performance calculations automatically added to FltPlan.com NavLog

After TOLD calculations are complete, a Takeoff and Landing Report (TLR) is generated and added to the FltPlan.com NavLog for reference. The TLR displays comprehensive data such as takeoff reference speeds, flap settings, power settings, environmental control system (ECS), anti-ice settings, runway surface conditions including contaminant level, tailwind calculations, and Maximum Runway Takeoff Weight (MRTW) for each available runway on the airfield. To better understand factors driving performance, crews can review limiting factors on the TLR that include climb performance, field length, or obstacle clearance, to name a few.

Easily accessible in-flight through the NavLog, landing performance data is included on the TLR based on calculated enroute fuel burn. Landing data shows reference speed (VREF) and landing distance based on landing weight, flap settings, ECS and anti-ice configurations, as well as reported braking action. Both factored and unfactored landing distances are displayed as separate options.

Additionally, pilots have the ability to easily view the TLR on a portable electronic device within the Garmin Pilot and FltPlan Go apps. This integration appends the TLR to the FltPlan.com NavLog for a quick and convenient way to reference runway analysis information while in flight.

Fuel order information is also automatically generated when creating a flight plan. This convenient feature assists pilots in that they no longer have to manually calculate the required fuel load while the system also checks basic structural weight limits of the aircraft to ensure that limitations will not be exceeded.

Engine Failure Procedures included in TLR

The TLR also uses calculated data to specify engine failure procedures (EFP) for each runway and aircraft configuration. When standard EFP’s cannot be used due to obstacle requirements, special procedures are calculated and provided on the TLR. Where terrain and obstacles limit straight out climb, AeroData designed EFP’s provide clear and concise guidance for pilots to perform a safe escape maneuver in a high workload flight environment.

AeroData Runway Analysis is available in two service options with one providing runway analysis, and another providing runway analysis plus obstacle clearance considerations. For more information on AeroData and runway analysis services, and to view supported aircraft, please visit www.FltPlan.com/Runway.htm.

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