Garmin | Aviation Blog

Lucy's Logbook: A good look at bad weather

Garmin — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:09:35 -0500

When it comes to flying, as pilots we use a variety of weather resources for planning a flight whether it’s a long distance cross-country or a local, touch-n-go lesson. With the introduction of XM and FIS-B, (Flight Information Service – Broadcast) weather receivers such as the GXM 40, GDL 39, or GDL 88, obtaining weather data in-flight is even more affordable, accessible, and easy to use!

Beyond the hardware, how we interpret each weather product is an essential piece in determining our “go” or “no-go” decision. With over 120 US METAR abbreviations, it’s no wonder some of us look at a report from time-to-time in bewilderment.

Luckily, our Garmin products will often decipher many of these weather products for us in the event we’re stumped! Check out one portion of a METAR I saw while using Garmin Pilot this week in Shreveport (KSHV):

OCNL LTGICCG ALQDS TS ALQDS MOV SE

The remarks section of this METAR was indicating more than just a thunderstorm in the area, but also detailing that lightning in the area was within the clouds and also cloud-to-ground, in all quadrants of the area. Lastly, it indicates the thunderstorm was moving southeast at that time.

Check out the screenshot of my aera 796 from this morning while using XM. The airfield (KHUM) is technically reporting VFR conditions but given the amount of lightning in the area and the notation of “TSRA” in the METAR, its clear there’s a well-developed thunderstorm near the field.

It’s been awhile since many parts of the country have seen these Spring-like notations embedded in a METAR. Whatever your weather product of choice might be, it’s important to brush up on the seasonal abbreviations such as “GR” (hail), “FC” (funnel cloud), or “TCU” (tower cumulus - not the college!) because for as long as we are all pilots, we will always be flying in weather!

Garmin GTX 330 ES and GTX 33 ES: Certified and Ready to Fly

Garmin — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:59:30 -0500

The FAA has certified our new GTX 330 ES and GTX 33 ES transponders, and they are ready to be installed now in hundreds of makes an models of fixed-wing aircraft. These new transponders are qualified as ADS-B NextGen compliant (with an accompanying WAAS position source).

The certifications make these transponders the perfect solution for aircraft that fly at any altitude in the U.S. or outside the U.S. where it will be required to broadcast on the 1090 frequency band.

These new certifications join the ADS-B rule-compliant GDL 88, for use in aircraft operating in the U.S. and below 18,000 feet.

Lucy's Logbook: A few of many firsts for G3000!

Garmin — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:11:40 -0500

Spring is typically thought of as a time of new beginnings. You could definitely say that about Garmin’s G3000 avionics system! Cessna’s new Citation M2, a G3000 equipped aircraft, recently got its wings, while another was the first in a long line of new jets to be delivered to NetJets. Some exciting milestones have been met as it relates to the G3000 in the last several weeks!

The Cessna Citation M2 is one step closer to flying with the G3000! The M2 “received its wings” last week, as the first set of wings were attached to the fuselage last week. Mating the wings to the fuselage marks the beginning of aircraft system testing; including hydraulics, flight controls, and of course, the avionics! This step is a significant milestone in the overall aircraft production process and brings the M2 one step closer to certification which is expected later this year.

Adding to the latest series of benchmarks, NetJets took delivery of the first of up to 125 Embraer Phenom 300 series aircraft. Equipped with the latest Garmin G3000 avionics suite, the Prodigy Touch Flight Deck is the first touch screen-controlled glass flight deck designed specifically for light turbine aircraft. Three 14.1 inch displays encompass two Primary Flight Displays (PFD’s) and one Multi-Function Display (MFD). Further adding to situational awareness and reducing pilot workload, each PFD may be split into a Multifunction Window (MFW) to view essential information such as the moving map, flight plan data, or approach charts. Two 5.7 inch touch-screen controllers also compliment the integrated system, allowing pilots the ability to input flight sensitive information with ease.

Garmin has continued to introduce innovative and technologically advanced avionics over the last 24 years. As these milestones, benchmarks, and goals are met, it will be exciting to see what further advances are made beyond the G3000 and before we know it, the G5000!

Commitment to aviation on Android continues with Garmin Pilot 2.4

Garmin — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:59:50 -0500

Our commitment to our Android customers utilizing Garmin Pilot continues! Version 2.4 comes with some very exciting enhancements, allowing pilots the ability to gather and access even more information with ease during each phase of your flight.

Plan: The option to schedule your flights earlier and amend them as needed, is now available. It’s also possible to save and store up to 200 trips. So when you hop in the plane this weekend to visit Mom for Mother’s Day, be sure to save your trip for future use!

File: When filing your saved flight plan, Version 2.4 now allows trips, pilot information, aircraft, book marks and up to 1,000 custom user waypoints to be synced to the Cloud. Furthermore, if you received an amended clearance to your flight plan, call up the newly added scratch pad on your Android and note the modified clearance directly within Garmin Pilot.

Fly: While in-flight and in a busy environment, the option to view the moving map page along with the traffic page simultaneously is accessible by selecting Menu > Split Screen > Traffic. Viewing an Active Flight Plan is now full screen which includes a map section. Within this segment, pilots can now graphically edit their flight plan so those last-minute flight plan amendments are much easier to change!

Whether you’re in the Plan, File, or Fly phase of your trip, there’s no doubt the latest 2.4 update will allow you to access essential information pertaining to your flight much faster and easier. Furthermore, the latest Garmin Pilot update is evidence that Garmin is committed to making the Android platform of Garmin Pilot feature-rich!

Lucy's Logbook: ADS-B outside of the U.S.

Garmin — Thu, 09 May 2013 08:04:33 -0500

ADS-B and 8.33 kHz compliancy is just around the corner for our European neighbors and Garmin is here to help!

In just a few years, all aircraft operating within European airspace must have the ability to broadcast 1090 ES ADS-B ‘Out’ with a Diversity Mode – S transponder. For new aircraft, ADS-B requirements must be complied with by January 8, 2015 and for all other existing aircraft operating in Europe, aircraft must be ‘Out’ compliant by December 7, 2017. These dates apply to aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 12,500 lbs or with a cruising speed of more than 250 knots.

How can you ensure compliancy while flying through European airspace?

It’s important to remember that an SBAS-capable position source is required which may be achieved with our latest GTN series. Along with ADS-B compliancy, Garmin’s latest GTN touch screen avionics offer 8.33 kHz channel spacing. Within the system settings of the GTN series, users have the option to choose between 8.33 and 25 kHz channel spacing. Furthermore, the ability to pair a GTX 330 ES will achieve ADS-B ‘Out’ compliancy when installed with an appropriate GPS source. Even better, consider pairing a remote mounted GTX 33 ES with the GTN to slim down the panel space used. Like many, your aircraft may not quite meet the maximum take-off weight or cruise speeds as suggested in the ADS-B mandate. However, to address frequency congestion in European airspace it’s necessary your aircraft meet the 8.33 kHz spacing requirement by 2018. Depending on your needs, along with our GTN series, our GTR 225 COM and GNC 255 NAV/COM both meet this spacing mandate. By simply inputting an airport identifier, both the GTR and GNC will populate all of the frequencies available for that airport. Even further, with an updateable database you can be sure that you are flying with the most up-to-date frequency information, ultimately reducing pilot workload.

Whether you need to achieve ADS-B ‘Out’ compliancy or need to meet the 8.33 kHz spacing requirement, Garmin has you covered!

Lucy's Logbook: Circle with ease using Garmin FliteCharts

Garmin — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:25:48 -0500

Beginning May 2, 2013, the FAA will begin publishing new circling minimums on the U.S. Terminal Procedures instrument approach charts. During circle-to-land operations, pilots are given a specific radius of protected airspace around the runway threshold, which is based on the aircraft approach category. This block of airspace is designed to allow the pilot to make an approach to one runway and safely maneuver to align the aircraft with the landing runway. Further, this protected area also offers 300 feet of obstacle clearance at the circling minimum descent altitude (MDA)

The newer circling minimums will be identifiable by an ‘Inverse C’ icon, which will be located in the circling minima box. To ensure you are flying with the most up to date procedures, you may download the latest approach charts from our flyGarmin website. Even though these changes do not go into effect until tomorrow, the option to download the latest version of FliteCharts with the notated circle to land changes is available today!

Lucy's Logbook: Handling the winds of change

Garmin — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:27:29 -0500

Recently while practicing takeoffs and landings at a local airport with one of my students, I stumbled upon a valuable teaching moment and was thankful to have my aera 796 with me.

So, why was I glad I had my Garmin?

We were at an uncontrolled field practicing touch ‘n goes in a calm wind which eventually turned into a pretty nice cross-wind by the middle of the lesson. My student was handling it well so I thought this would be a great opportunity to slowly introduce the awkwardness of “aileron into the wind, opposite rudder.” About halfway through our lesson, another aircraft joined us for pattern work. After a few trips around the pattern, we were on landing roll-out when I began to look ahead for the other aircraft. Due to the crosswind and his lack of correction on the upwind leg, the aircraft we had been following had been pushed pretty far right of the runway centerline. So much so that by the time he commenced his left turn to start the crosswind portion of his pattern, we were very close to crossing his flight path.

Many of our portables like the aera 5XX, aera 795/796, GPSMAP 695/696 and G3X all allow the option to display the extended runway centerlines. At unfamiliar airports and even airports that have runways within close proximity to each other, it’s sometimes difficult to determine after a roll-out from a downwind to base leg which runway you might be (or not be!) lined up for. Using the extended runway centerline feature not only paints an extension of the centerline, but also labels the corresponding runway number on that line. During our touch ‘n go lesson, we used this feature to track the centerline on our upwind leg in the pattern, which was very helpful given the amount of crosswind we were flying with.

The ability to turn the extended runway centerline ‘On’ and ‘Off’ is accessible via the ‘Set Up Map’ menu on the products listed above. Enabling this feature not only allows for added situational awareness at unfamiliar airports, but can also assist with proper cross-wind technique in the pattern!

Lucy's Logbook: Flying Magazine Highlights Top 50 Navigation Innovations

Garmin — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 08:51:37 -0500

Flying Magazine just released the Top 50 Navigation Innovations as it relates to aviation. As I began reviewing the list, I was caught off guard with #50: Bonfires. I sat there and looked puzzled at my computer, and thought to myself, “What kind of Top 50 list is this?”

As I continued reading through the list, I started seeing innovations like IFR GPS Receivers (#31), WAAS (#11), Flat Panels (PFDs) (#7) and Handheld Navigators (#4), and couldn't help but think about how far we've come in the way of aviation navigation, and all of the ways Garmin has enjoyed a role in that progress. From the introduction of the industry's first IFR-certified GPS receiver (the GPS 155), to the creation of what would become the most popular and best selling navigators ever (the GNS 430/530 series), to fully-integrated, touchscreen-controlled glass cockpits, Garmin has remained committed to advancing navigation technology for pilots.

Remember the first handheld aviation GPS units? We all remember the first handheld we used and valued its weight in gold in our airplanes. Over the last 14 years, Garmin has taken a basic GPS with a black and white moving map page, and transformed it into a GPS that doubles as an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) displaying approach charts and in some cases, live weather and music!

Flying put the introduction of AHRS/ADAHRS as #5 on its list. This innovation has unquestionably transformed cockpit avionics, and is a core technology of Garmin's integrated flight decks. Glass panel displays such as the G1000 have quickly become the standard in the industry, adding safety, reliability, and redundancy to many flight decks. So you can see why we're excited about the G3000 and G5000.

If you're like me, you quickly made your way to the end of the list to find out what Flying considers to be the #1 navigation innovation of all time. The answer: GPS. What was initially intended for use by military and government entities, is now widely available and affordable for general aviation aircraft, enhancing the ease and safety of navigating the skies. And Garmin is proud to have played a part in bringing this technology to pilots through a variety of products over the last 20 years.

Lucy's Logbook: Stop by and say hi at Sun 'N Fun Airshow!

Garmin — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:35:27 -0500

Headed to the 39^th annual Sun ‘N Fun Airshow this week in Lakeland, Florida? Already there? So is Lucy!

Whenever I get the chance to fly in any one of our well-equipped Garmin planes, I happily jump at the opportunity. Earlier this week, a few of us hopped in our 2007 Bonanza and departed from New Century Air Center (KIXD) near Kansas City early Monday morning for my 915 nautical mile adventure. Supplementing my flight this year was the latest version of Garmin Pilot (v5.0) on my iPad, which includes our latest display of dynamic maps, the ability to notate flight-specific information right on your approach chart, along with some additional customer-requested features!

We departed a day earlier than expected due to some thunderstorms passing through the Kansas City area at a cruising altitude of 5,000 feet. Stopping for a quick fuel stop via the Neosho VOR in Memphis before our arrival into Lakeland, we got some great screen shots! Thanks to the GDL 39, we were able to navigate safely behind a pretty large thunderstorm cell. Check out all the traffic we picked up navigating around the thunderstorms, too!

One of my favorite additions to the latest version of Garmin Pilot is the ability to notate on the approach chart. Going into Memphis we were cleared for the ILS to Runway 9 and told to report a five mile final. Prior to flying the approach, I brought up the approach, notated my five mile call right on the chart, and highlighted the minimums for the approach!

If you’ve already made your way to Sun ‘N Fun this year, come check out the latest features of Garmin Pilot in the Garmin booth! In addition to Garmin Pilot, we’ll also have plenty of kiosks so you can try your hand at our latest certified and portable avionics, and maybe even attend a live demonstration or seminar!

And, if you get a chance come introduce yourself to Lucy, too!

We're off to the Sun 'n Fun fly-in!

Garmin — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:00:00 -0500

Today we're headed down to Lakeland, Florida for the annual Sun 'n Fun fly-in! We've made several new product announcements over the last couple of weeks, and we'll have everything on display at the show. If you're a homebuilder, you'll want to come see all of the new products we recently introduced for experimental aircraft, and meet Team X. If you have an iPad, you won't want to miss the latest update to Garmin Pilot. And if you're looking to enhance your situational awareness, ask us about the improved performance of the new GTS traffic systems.

In additon, we'll have the three S's: Seminars, Savings and Software Updates!

Seminars: We have a full schedule of daily seminars, led by Garmin product experts, where you can learn about our newest products and about how to get the most out of your avionics. The best part? If you attend a Sun 'n Fun seminar, you will receive Seminar Bucks, which offer big savings on the purchase of new Garmin avionics like the GDL 88 ADS-B datalink, the GTN series touchscreen avionics and more!

Sun 'n Fun Seminar Schedule
9:15 am    What’s New at Garmin
10:00 am ADS-B Academy: iPad and Portable Solutions (GDL39)
11:00 am G3X Flight Display: New Products for your Homebuilt and LSA
12:00 pm ADS-B Academy: Installed Solutions (GDL 88 / GTX 330 ES)
1:00 pm    GTN 750 / 650 Series and G600/G500: Flying with Upgrade Avionics
2:00 pm    Flying iPads and Portables: Which one?

Savings: In addition to the Seminar Bucks, we are offering you even more opportunities to save with a special Sun 'n Fun rebate! Purchase a Garmin portable from a Garmin Authorized Dealer at Sun 'n Fun and you can save up to $200 on your purchase. Purchase a Garmin portable AND the GDL 39 portable ADS-B receiver and save up to $500!

Software Updates: Do you already own a Garmin portable GPS? A simple software update could bring you additional features and capabilities, and Garmin is offering free portable software updates in the Garmin booth at Sun 'n Fun. Stop by and see a customer support specialists from our award winning product support team and see if a new software update is available for your device.

Stay tuned to the Garmin blog, Facebook and Twitter for more updates from Lakeland!