First G1000 Retrofit STC For Company

Garmin tells ANN the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently granted a supplemental type certification (STC) for the G1000 avionics suite in the King Air C90A/GT. This is Garmin's first G1000 retrofit STC... and it paves the way for future G1000 retrofit installations such as the King Air 200 and B200, a G1000 retrofit program Garmin announced in September at the 2007 National Business Aviation Association conference. 

"This STC is an immense achievement for the Garmin team," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing. "Now, King Air C90 pilots can continue to fly this legendary aircraft while enjoying the distinct benefits of the G1000 such as increased safety of flight, reduced pilot workload, unparalleled situational and weather awareness, and supreme reliability."

The G1000 avionics suite integrates all primary flight information, navigation data, communications, terrain awareness, traffic, weather, and engine instruments on a large 15-inch multi-function display (MFD) and two 10.4-inch primary flight displays (PFD). On the King Air C90, the system also includes Garmin's GFC 700 three-axis, fully digital, dual channel autopilot. The GFC 700 includes features you would expect in this class of aircraft such as coupled WAAS approaches, vertical navigation, and Flight Level Change (FLC).

Other standard features of the G1000 avionics suite include Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), Class-B Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS), dual integrated solid-state Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS), and dual integrated digital air data computers. In addition, Garmin's GDL 69A is standard equipment that brings integrated satellite weather datalink and digital-quality audio via XM WX Satellite Weather (US only).

Also included in the C90's G1000 avionics suite are Garmin's SafeTaxi and FliteCharts. SafeTaxi is a built-in database of over 775 US airport diagrams that provide the capability to view aircraft position on taxiways. FliteCharts is an electronic version of the Departure Procedures, Standard Terminal Arrival Routes, approach charts and airport diagrams, and may be viewed directly on the MFD. Also available as an option is ChartView, which brings an electronic version of Jeppesen's extensive library of charts and airport diagrams to the G1000's MFD. ChartView displays approach charts, geopolitical features, airspace, airways and airport diagrams.

Installation of the G1000 suite in the King Air C90 also results in a weight savings of approximately 100 pounds, according to Garmin. Orders for the King Air C90 retrofit are being accepted now.

FMI: www.garmin.com/buzz/g1000