Includes GMA 347 Audio Panel, GNS 430W

Ahead of HAI's 2008 Heli-Expo -- which kicks off Sunday in Houston, TX -- Garmin announced MD Helicopters Inc. has selected the company's panel mount products as the standard avionics package for its current production aircraft, including the MD 600N, MD 520N, MD 530F and MD 500E.

"MD Helicopters and Garmin have much in common because both companies are committed to producing products that offer unmatched value, versatility, reliability and performance," said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s vice president of marketing. "We are pleased to have been chosen as the avionics suite of choice on these impressive aircraft."

"We are very excited about using Garmin products in the enhancement of our standard build," said Craig Kitchen, MDHI’s chief operating officer. "Many of our customers are familiar with Garmin equipment and we are confident they will appreciate the advanced capabilities it will provide."

The new MD Helicopters avionics panel will include Garmin’s GMA 347 audio panel, GNS 430W all-in-one GPS/NAV/COM, SL 40 NAV/COM transceiver, and GTX 328 Mode S Transponder.  The panel will also include Garmin’s GI 106 course deviation indicator (CDI), and GAE 43, a 35,000-foot encoder.

Initial deliveries of MD Helicopters with Garmin Avionics are expected with newly signed purchase agreements in 2008. 

FMI: www.garmin.com, www.mdhelicopters.com, www.rotor.com