Adds Engine Sensors And Autopilot Interface
Pilots of LSA and experimental aircraft are about to get some of
the same cockpit information ... ok, we'll say it ... toys, that
are normally found in the front office of higher-performance
airplanes. Garmin announced details for G3X engine information
system (EIS) and integrated autopilot interface on Wednesday. The
units are designed specifically for the G3X and are an affordable
way for experimental and light sport aircraft (LSA) pilots to bring
Garmin integration and quality into their cockpit. The sensor kits
are expected to be available for all popular Lycoming, Continental,
Rotax, and Jabiru engines in February 2010.
The G3X is a non-TSO'd, fully-customizable glass cockpit for
installation in experimental/kitbuilt and LSA. The announcement was
made in conjunction with the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring,
Florida, and the G3X system will be on display in the Garmin,
Flight Design, Gobosh Aviation, Jabiru USA, and Tecnam
exhibits.
"The G3X is the ideal glass cockpit for the experimental and LSA
market because it gives customers the flexibility they need to
customize their aircraft's panel, while simultaneously offering the
advantages that Garmin brings such as innovation, integration,
quality, reliability and support," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice
president of marketing. "Regardless of the type of aircraft a
customer operates, they should never have to sacrifice features or
services that enhance situational awareness, improve safety of
flight, or receive 24x7 customer support - and with Garmin, they
don't have to."
The G3X is a customizable PFD/MFD combination that features one,
two or three all-glass displays; magnetometer; ADAHRS (combined air
data and AHRS unit) and engine monitoring. Thanks to its building
block design, customers can create a high performance panel that is
tailored to their aircraft.
The added EIS software capability is expected to be available in
February to all current G3X customers through a free software
download. The G3X EIS software allows user customization of engine
gauges, color bands, and audible/visual alerts, and supports the
following sensor types:
- RPM
- Manifold pressure
- Oil temperature and pressure
- Coolant temperature and pressure
- Fuel pressure
- Up to six cylinder head temperature (CHT) inputs
- Up to six exhaust gas temperature (EGT) inputs
- Dual turbine inlet temperature
- Carburetor temperature
- Dual voltage inputs
- Dual current measurements (shunt or Hall effect)
- Fuel flow (single or differential)
- Trim position (three-axis)
- Flap position
- Up to four discrete (contact closure) inputs
- Up to four resistive fuel quantity inputs
- Up to two capacitive fuel quantity inputs
To support EIS features, complete sensor kits for all popular
Lycoming, Continental, Rotax, and Jabiru engines are expected to be
available in February 2010.
In addition to gaining engine monitoring capabilities, G3X
customers will also have the benefit of an integrated autopilot
interface that brings tried, tested and proven G1000-like features
to LSA and experimental aircraft owners. Customers who select the
TruTrak GX Pilot autopilot, which has been designed to integrate
seamlessly with the G3X, will enjoy advanced autopilot features
that can be operated right from the PFD. Using controls and status
indications derived from Garmin's certified GFC 700, the G3X
autopilot interface implements sophisticated flight control modes
including altitude preselect and capture, heading hold, GPS
navigation with turn anticipation, and coupled VNAV descents. When
used in conjunction with a GNS 430W or 530W, the G3X can also fly
coupled holding patterns, procedure turns, and WAAS approaches.
The basic G3X system is available at a starting street price of
$9,995 and includes a GDU 370 glass display, GSU 73 ADAHRS and
engine interface unit, GMU 44 magnetometer and GTP 59 air
temperature probe. The G3X engine sensor kits for Lycoming,
Continental, Rotax and Jabiru engines are sold separately. A
software update that adds EIS and autopilot features is expected to
be available for free from Garmin in February 2010.