Latest Application For Synthetic Vision Technology
The latest addition to Garmin's ubiquitous G1000 Integrated
Flight Deck, Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) has been approved
for installation in Mooney Acclaims and Ovations by the Federal
Aviation Administration.
Using sophisticated GPS-based graphic technology, Garmin's SVT
provides a virtual depiction of terrain and water features,
complete with obstacles and, in the case of aircraft equipped with
Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance (TCAS) systems, airborne
traffic, in 3-D perspective that gives pilots enhanced visual cues
and improved situational awareness regardless of meteorological or
lighting conditions.
"The availability of this kind of technology for single engine
airplanes is revolutionizing general aviation," said Mooney CEO
Dennis Ferguson. "Synthetic Vision, GPS/WAAS and Safe Taxi are
among the most important advancements in avionics technology to
come along in decades. They contribute significantly to overall
flight safety and efficiency and can raise the level of a pilot's
proficiency by virtue of the added capabilities they put at his or
her fingertips.
"The addition of Synthetic Vision Technology to our fleet means
Mooney will retain its accustomed position as the industry's
leaders in value and performance," he added.
Mooney will begin installing the SVT-equipped G1000 avionics
packages in production aircraft shortly. The company is also
working on a package and pricing structure for aircraft owners who
wish to add synthetic vision to their existing aircraft, through a
software upgrade available through Garmin.
"Because the G1000 is a truly integrated and expandable system,
all of its major components are designed and manufactured by a
single company so that they work together to give pilots the
complete picture," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of
marketing. "SVT was designed as a retrofittable system and we have
worked closely with Mooney to develop a process whereby customers
can add SVT to their aircraft with very little downtime."
As ANN has reported, SVT diplays synthetic
terrain, flight hazards, flight path marker and highway-in-the-sky
on the primary flight display (PFD) to help the pilot
maintain airborne situational awareness even when flying in
conditions of reduced visibility or darkness. SVT blends the
aircraft's position with information from topographical databases
to create and display real-time 3D images.
Land, water and sky are clearly differentiated with shading and
textures that are similar to the topographical colors found on the
multi-function display (MFD) moving map. SVT also alerts pilots to
terrain and obstacles with appropriate TAWS alert coloring.
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