Available In Male Or Female Voices Speaking English, Spanish, Italian, French, And German

ANN April 1st Special Edition: Garmin announced Thursday that it's new GPS5000VP brings the automotive GPS experience into the cockpit, with voice prompts to inform the pilot of upcoming heading changes, restricted airspace, even missed approach procedures.  Garmin says the GPS5000VPX will even direct you from the airport ramp to the active runway.

"These features will greatly increase safety while decreasing cockpit workload," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing. "The voice prompts are a lot like having somebody in the right seat who's job it is to keep you up to date on where you're going next."

The GPS5000VP will alert the pilot about upcoming heading changes and destinations based on a pre-programmed flight plan. "It's really simple," said Kelly. "Just tell the unit your destination airport and expected altitude, and it will automatically calculate a route for you. It will route you around all restricted airspace, let you know about obstacles in your path, pretty much does your flight planning for you."

Once airborne, the GPS5000VP announces heading changes beginning three to six miles out, based on TAS. For example, the pleasant female voice might alert you "In-three-miles-turn-left-heading-three-two-zero." As you near your destination airport, she will say "Approaching-destination. In-six miles-begin-three-hundred-foot-per-minute-descent." When coupled with an FLIR camera, the GPS5000VP can recognize an approach below minimums, alerting the pilot to "Execute-Missed-Approach-in-point-two-miles-turn-right-and-proceed-to-holding-pattern," with the familiar magenta line showing the way.

On the ground, the GPS5000VPX can take you from the ramp to the active runway through an interface with airport charts. "In-point-two-miles-turn-left-taxiway-F ... turn-left," the unit prompts.

The GPS5000VP is a direct replacement for most Garmin units, with a portable model available for the LSA and retrofit market. "With a commonality of interface, pilots will feel very familiar going from car to plane and using very similar equipment," said Kelly. The ultra-affordable GPS5000VP will start at just $5999, with the VPX model starting at $7999, which includes a one-year subscription for chart updates.

FMI: www.garmin.com