Adds Capability With Connext Cockpit Connectivity, WireAware, Additional Features

Garmin has introduced additional enhancements and new features for the GTN touchscreen avionics. New capabilities include Connext cockpit connectivity, which supports wireless flight plan transfer between the GTN 750/650 series navigators and Garmin Pilot.

Additionally, Connext provides more robust GPS position data from the GTN, as well as the option to display weather, traffic and attitude information on Garmin Pilot. Additional new GTN features include database syncing capabilities, FastFind, airspace altitude overlay, WireAware (wire-strike avoidance technology) and more. Many of these new features are enabled by a free software update, bringing even more advanced capabilities to existing avionics.

“Since the GTN’s introduction over three years ago, we have listened to our customers, incorporated their requests and further expanded the capability of the GTN avionics with five major software updates,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin’s vice president of marketing and sales. “The GTN 750/650 series is designed with a growth-oriented architecture and we are excited to adapt it to our expanded Connext portfolio of solutions to provide connectivity between tablets and avionics. In addition to expanded connectivity, we’re introducing safety-enhancing WireAware, so it is easier than ever to see and avoid power lines with rich and comprehensive coverage.”

The GTN now offers wireless cockpit connectivity featuring Connext when incorporating the Flight Stream 210 wireless gateway. With this, GTN customers have access to wireless flight plan transfer capabilities when using Garmin Pilot on an iOS or select Android mobile device. Connext cockpit connectivity gives pilots the ability to transfer completed flight plans within Garmin Pilot to the GTN upon arrival at the airport, allowing more time to focus on pre-flight activities. Prior to takeoff, pilots may choose to receive up-to-date flight plan amendments from air traffic control when enabling notifications for ATC Proposed Routes in Garmin Pilot. As Proposed Route Notifications from ATC become available and activated in Garmin Pilot, they may be transferred to the GTN, so last-minute flight plan modifications are quick and easy. Additionally, active flight plans that are manually amended in-flight may be sent between the GTN and Garmin Pilot so flight plans are identical and amendments only need to be made on one device. Furthermore, GPS information from the GTN series and attitude information from the Flight Stream 210, combine to display within Garmin Pilot. Customers who have incorporated a GDL 88 receive the additional benefit of displaying traffic and weather on a mobile device, while customers with a GDL 69 SiriusXM  datalink receiver may display weather information and access remote audio controls all within Garmin Pilot. The Flight Stream 210 is anticipated to become available in August for $999.

WireAware graphically overlays comprehensive power line location and altitude information on the moving map. Altitude display is offered in both mean sea level (MSL) and above ground level (AGL), so they are easier to identify relative to the aircraft path. With optional Terrain and Awareness Warning System (HTAWS/TAWS), visual and aural alerts are provided, offering an additional layer of protection. New basic obstacle databases contain Hazardous Obstacle Transmission (HOT) lines, which typically include those that span rivers, canyons, valleys or are within the vicinity of airports. The new versions of the obstacle database are available and offer coverage in the U.S. and portions of Canada and Mexico. New basic obstacle database packages now include HOT lines, starting at $49.95 for a single update. Comprehensive wire coverage can be added, starting at $124.95 for a single update. Annual subscriptions and PilotPaks are also available.

Managing databases between multiple GTN’s in the aircraft is easier than ever. Database synchronization enables the GTN to cross-load databases from a single unit so customers have the flexibility of updating one database card, saving time and streamlining the database update process. Furthermore, pilots can pre-load the next database cycle without removing the active cycle so database updates can be queued in advance. Pilots who take advantage of database synchronization receive additional flexibility in the update process and have convenient access to the most current information in their avionics.

Flight planning is faster and easier with FastFind, which incorporates predictive logic to suggest airports and waypoints using current GPS location. Quick flight plan entry is possible with FastFind, which automatically begins searching for the nearest identifier as an airport or waypoint is entered within a flight plan.

Entering frequencies into the GTN is streamlined, which may now be entered without the leading number “1” and trailing zero(s). For example, pilots can now enter the frequency “122.80” easily into the GTN series by simply selecting “2”, “2” and “8.”  Because the number one and trailing zero populate automatically, frequency entry is faster than ever before.

Similar to the popular GTR and GNC NAV/COM radios, the GTN now automatically displays the station identifier and frequency type of the nearest airport or NAVAID below the active/standby COM and NAV frequencies. Identifying and ensuring the appropriate frequency is simple and pilots receive the added assurance they are navigating and communicating with the appropriate frequencies.

Utilizing the Garmin Aviation Checklist Editor on a PC, pilots now have the option to create custom checklists for display on the GTN 750/650. Once created, checklists can be saved to a Garmin data card and inserted into the GTN. Optionally, flight plans and waypoints may also be created and imported into the GTN using a Garmin data card. For added convenience, the flight plans can be stored in the flight plan catalog for future use. Availability to create flight plans and waypoints within flyGarmin is expected later this year.

Airspace altitude overlays on the moving map page offer additional situational awareness, especially in congested airspace. Pilots have the option to view airspace maximum and minimum altitudes just as they appear on a sectional chart, so it’s easier to identify airspace altitude limitations.

Data fields found on the map page of the GTN 750 and default navigation page within the GTN 650, may be configured as shortcuts for nearly all of the pages within the GTN, providing easier access to functions or pages that are used often. For example, pilots who frequently fly in congested airspace can create a shortcut directly to the traffic page, which may be accessible from the moving map. New data field options can also be configured for quick access to other system functions, such as the display of radial and distance to the tuned VOR, switching CDI source and weather radar controls. Even further data field customization gives pilots rapid one-touch access to important information.

Helicopter owners can expect to receive the benefits of WireAware, simplified database updates, FastFind, simple frequency entry, customizable checklists, and flight plan import capabilities in Q4 2014, for the following helicopter models:

• Bell 206 and 407 series
• Eurocopter AS 350B2/B3, EC 130B4, EC 130T2
• MD 369E/F/FF

For all other GTN owners, this software upgrade is anticipated to be available in August. These new features including Connext, will be available for hundreds of aircraft makes and models from Garmin Authorized Dealers (installation charges may apply). The GTN software upgrade is supported by Garmin’s award-winning aviation support team, which provides 24/7 worldwide technical and warranty support.

(Images provided by Garmin)

FMI: www.garmin.com/aviation