The G1000 Continues Its March Toward Domination

Hot on the heels of the announcment Garmin's G1000 glass panel cockpit will soon be offered in Cessna's Caravan turboprop, Garmin announced Monday at NBAA 2007 it is expanding its G1000 King Air retrofit program to include the King Air 200 and B200 models.

As ANN reported, Garmin revealed in June 2006 the King Air C90 would be the first aircraft eligible for a retrofit G1000 avionics suite.

The company tells ANN the C90 program is in the final certification stages and is anticipated to receive its Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) soon... so Garmin has begun a G1000 STC program for the King Air 200 and B200.

"We are pleased with the response we've received from C90 owners who want to add the G1000 to their airplane, and adding the King Air 200 and B200 is a natural progression for this retrofit program," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing. "This retrofit option allows customers to transform their panel, without altering the King Air's legendary performance or flight characteristics."

The G1000 avionics suite in the King Air 200 and B200 will be very similar to the C90's all-glass avionics. It will integrate all primary flight, navigation, communication, terrain, traffic, weather, and Engine Instrumentation System (EIS) on a large 15-inch multi-function display (MFD) and two 10.4-inch primary flight displays (PFD). King Air 200 and B200 pilots will also have the benefit of Garmin's GFC 700 three axis, fully digital, dual channel, fail passive Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS). The GFC 700 includes features you would expect in this class of aircraft like coupled WAAS approaches, coupled vertical navigation and Flight Level Change (FLC).

The King Air 200 and B200 will be among the first G1000 equipped aircraft to include Garmin's Mode S transponder with 1090 MHz Extended Squitter (ES). This Mode S transponder meets ADS-B transmit guidelines and makes it possible for the aircraft to automatically transmit position, velocity and heading information.

Other standard features of the G1000 avionics suite include Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), Class-B Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS), dual integrated solid-state Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS), and dual integrated RVSM-capable digital air data computers. Also included are Garmin's SafeTaxi, ChartView and FliteCharts that simplify operation, enhance situational awareness and increase safety during flight and when taxiing. Garmin's GDL 69A will be available as an option and brings integrated satellite weather datalink and digital-quality audio via XM WX Satellite Weather (US only).

Garmin anticipates receiving the STC for the King Air 200 and B200 early in 2009. This program will also include RVSM certification as an option, according to the company.

FMI: www.garmin.com