One Concern Addressed... Many Others Loom For Owners

It ain't easy being the owner of a Columbia airplane right now... as the nebulous situation of the Bend, OR planemaker's descent into bankruptcy continues to play out, and questions regarding Columbia's very existence surround ongoing ownership talks with Cessna.

ANN is happy to report one of those questions -- will my avionics still be covered under warranty? -- has an answer... at least for customers flying Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing planes equipped with Garmin avionics.

In a letter to customers this week, Garmin assured customers that warranty services for Garmin avionics on Columbia aircraft are still available for the balance of the avionics warranty period through Garmin’s Authorized Service Center and Dealer Network.

Furthermore, with close to 1000 facilities around the world... a Garmin shop is likely to be nearby, the company notes. "Garmin is committed to support their avionics for the balance of your warranty period," the company states.

The avionics maker is quick to point out that warranty ONLY applied to Garmin equipment, however... noting "[w]iring, switches and third-party equipment are not covered by Garmin, but remain the responsibility of Columbia or potentially a purchaser of Columbia if such purchaser assumes Columbia's warranty and/or their other device manufacturers."

Still... for Columbia flyers who are perhaps eyeing their G1000 panels a bit nervously since the bomb dropped last week, Garmin is setting an excellent example of corporate responsibility... one we hope other CAM suppliers will also heed.

FMI: www.garmin.com, www.flycolumbia.com