FAA: Mandatory Software Upgrade Needed For Some GPS Units | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Sat, Apr 10, 2004

FAA: Mandatory Software Upgrade Needed For Some GPS Units

The FAA is planning to issue an airworthiness directive mandating a software upgrade for certain GX-series GPS units from UPS Aviation Technologies, now a division of Garmin, known as Garmin AT. Software versions 3.0 through 3.4 for the units can give pilots momentarily inaccurate readings on their course deviation indicators. That could cause a slaved autopilot to begin an inappropriate turn.

"This is a known problem that UPSAT, and now Garmin, have been working with aircraft owners to correct for more than two years," said AOPA Senior Director of Advanced Technology Randy Kenagy. "UPSAT issued a service bulletin more than two years ago offering the necessary software upgrade for free. The FAA is now proposing to require the upgrade with the AD."

The AD would give GX-series owners six months to have their units' software upgraded.

Since Garmin purchased UPSAT, the company has committed to honoring UPSAT's promise of a free software upgrade for all GX-series owners, regardless of age. Garmin reports that as many as half of the nearly 1,200 affected units have already received the upgrade.

According to Garmin, the CDI may display incorrect course deviation indications for two to six seconds. The incorrect information is displayed only after a pilot has instructed the GPS to go "direct to" a waypoint. The GPS position or navigation information is never lost despite the momentary incorrect display.

Both the original UPSAT service bulletin and the proposed airworthiness directive are available online, or owners may contact Garmin AT at 800-525-6726.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.garmin.com

Advertisement

More News

NTSB Final Report: Aviat A1

Airplane Bounced About 3 Ft Then Touched Back Down And Then, With No Brakes Applied, The Airplane Began Veering To The Left Analysis: The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.08.25)

Aero Linx: British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) The primary focus within all aviation activity is SAFETY. In all aspects of our sport SAFETY must come first, whether it b>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Fly Corvair’s Reliable Engine Alternative

From SnF25 (YouTube Edition): William Wynne Builds Practical Aircraft Engines on the Corvair Platform Seeking an affordable alternative to the traditional aircraft engine options, >[...]

ANN FAQ: Contributing To Aero-TV

How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: CiES Fuel-Quantity and e-Throttle Systems Praised

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Bridge of CiES CiES Inc. is a Bend, Oregon-based designer and manufacturer of modular embedded aircraft systems and sensors. The company’s fuel-l>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC